Powerboost 12 volt weak battery

[Bronco574]

Hi, my third powerboost a 2023 Xlt has a low charge 12 volt issue. I get this display alert saying functions are being reduced bc of low battery charge. Also to confirm when put in reverse and the backup alert sounds week. This is what the dealer says, when the battery charge goes below 50% this alert sounds. Further, manually charging the battery to 60-65% fixes this. It seems the computer is set to maintain the battery in this range rather than fully charging the battery like us old guys remember. Further short trips are inadequate to keep the battery charged above 50%. So it’s a design issue (computer code) by Ford, that probably be fixed by an update. The only current fix is manual ly charging the battery. Sorry!

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[HammaMan]

Ford needs a TSB to install the BCM update so that your trip to the dealer would have been fruitful. Charge your truck up so you can get the OTA. PM me your vin and I'll see if it's queued.

 

[Bronco574]

Hi, my third powerboost a 2023 Xlt has a low charge 12 volt issue. I get this display alert saying functions are being reduced bc of low battery charge. Also to confirm when put in reverse and the backup alert sounds week. This is what the dealer says, when the battery charge goes below 50% this alert sounds. Further, manually charging the battery to 60-65% fixes this. It seems the computer is set to maintain the battery in this range rather than fully charging the battery like us old guys remember. Further short trips are inadequate to keep the battery charged above 50%. So it’s a design issue (computer code) by Ford, that probably be fixed by an update. The only current fix is manual ly charging the battery. Sorry!

Vin 1FTFW1ED6PFC42888 Truck charged but unknown OTA.

 

[HammaMan]

You got the BCM update july 22nd. Is it regularly driven? It said the SOC at the time was 67%.
Here's your outstanding updates FWIW. Surprised it hasn't tried to update the PCM already. Your battery capacity seems a little low. Did they do a load test on it?

 

[Bronco574]

Vin 1FTFW1ED6PFC42888 Truck charged but unknown OTA.

Driven daily for short trips, 15 min. Checked for codes- none. Battery tested DCA-8000p battery good but needed recharge. Charged to above 60%, but terminated lack of time, may need to continue recharge. Scheduled for another Dealer Tuesday for further testing of charging system. Will post results. My action - Add a battery tender 1.25 and hope Ford initiates action.

 

[Rich H.]

Didn’t a recent update change the charge rate from 80 to 90%. I still have to trickle charge my battery every few days due to not driving enough on my 22 KR.

 

[22skidoo]

I picked up my 2023 PB in May 2023. Took the truck in for service about once a month for low SoC and other warnings that come with low battery. The dealer would test the battery (tests good) and tell me to drive more. I told them that I get the low SoC error every time I start the truck even after driving 200+ miles. They couldn't find anything wrong. By October/November 2023 (4th trip for battery service) the dealer finally said let's test the battery over the weekend. Monday they said there were many errors, replaced the battery and a few control modules including audio and headlight assembly. They said the modules were causing a parasitic draw. Not sure if it needed all that done but haven't had an issue since.

The truck has received software updates lately that included ""battery optimization" like BCM-24.6.R, see attached file. I purchased a Bluetooth battery monitor (recommended by Snakebitten in another post) that I use regularly to give me peace of mind, battery always shows ~12.5 volts. Wish I had the battery monitor when I was having problems.

Hope you get the problem resolved.

 

[Bronco574]

Hi, my third powerboost a 2023 Xlt has a low charge 12 volt issue. I get this display alert saying functions are being reduced bc of low battery charge. Also to confirm when put in reverse and the backup alert sounds week. This is what the dealer says, when the battery charge goes below 50% this alert sounds. Further, manually charging the battery to 60-65% fixes this. It seems the computer is set to maintain the battery in this range rather than fully charging the battery like us old guys remember. Further short trips are inadequate to keep the battery charged above 50%. So it’s a design issue (computer code) by Ford, that probably be fixed by an update. The only current fix is manual ly charging the battery. Sorry!

Truck goes into shop Tuesday and will use info offer my members, many thanks!

 

[Xman]

I have no direct experience in this area (yet) but read in other battery related threads that replacing the Ford OEM battery with a quality aftermarket battery can often solve this issue. Many went up one or two sizes. OEM batteries have a reputation of not being that good, e.g., replacement with another OEM battery often did not solve the issue.

 

[Bronco574]

Driven daily for short trips, 15 min. Checked for codes- none. Battery tested DCA-8000p battery good but needed recharge. Charged to above 60%, but terminated lack of time, may need to continue recharge. Scheduled for another Dealer Tuesday for further testing of charging system. Will post results. My action - Add a battery tender 1.25 and hope Ford initiates action.

Tuesday dealer analysis showed battery OK, charging system OK, NO parasite systems draining battery. Solution- Add battery maintainer if truck w minimum use!

 

[Gros Ventre]

Unless the dealer puts the battery under a load type test, it can pass most testing. The issue is does the battery have sufficient active material surface area. Only under load will that be revealed. In my observation the OEM batteries are wanting. I replaced mine after some funny alerts shortly after delivery. I'm partial to NAPA batteries and mine had not given out a peep since installation fall 21.

 

[darkhorse]

This gentleman has had good results with this premium X2 battery from Batteries Plus... youtube video here:

 

[Csoko]

I got my battery replaced under warranty.

 

[HammaMan]

I think most people will see 'happy' results from the new BCM update with the revised charging strategy. Huge difference in results being seen in trucks that have it as it's actually charging the batteries precisely as it should have been all along. Took way too long for this to occur!

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