'19 keeps going in to "Battery save" mode?

[exff22]

2019, 2WD, 33,000 miles on it.

About three months ago when I started it up the audible tones were very different and a message flashed on the screen that said "Going in battery save mode" or something along those lines. Stopped by an auto parts store and had them test the battery since I still had the OEM battery. They said "There's nothing wrong with this battery" and asked me how much I drove it. I work from home so most days I might ony drive 3 or 4 miles. He suggested that may be what's causing it and that the battery isn't charging enough to maintain cranking amps. I said I'm going out town tomorrow and it's 60 miles each way. They said that should do it. It didn't. Took it to my local repair shop and they said I needed a new battery, which I got for around $300 (what happened to the days when you used to be able to go to Walmart and buy a new battery for $40???). All was good for about three months, now it's doing it again almost daily. I try and drive at least 10-15 miles a day now just to keep it charged good but alas, it's still doing it.

For the first 3 1/2 years I was driving to my hometown to take care of my parents so I was doing 150 miles or so each trip, about every three weeks. My father passed in '19 and my mother passed last September, so I've completely ceased those drives. Seems like that's about when this started again after getting the new battery.

I really don't want to take it to the dealer but I'm thinking I might have to.

Thoughts?

 

[Blmpkn]

I bought a 60$ battery from Walmart earlier this year... it's just not an AGM battery that the new rangers use.

I'd ensure that the battery they put in your truck is the proper battery first.. if they out a "regular" battery in.. it probably wouldn't last very long and could explain your issues.

 

[exff22]

I've been taking my vehicles to the same Goodyear for 15 years. One thing I like about them is the owners philosopy that he firmly believes in replacing OEM parts with the exact samd brand and part. It's an AGM. I checked.

 

[Blmpkn]

I've been taking my vehicles to the same Goodyear for 15 years. One thing I like about them is the owners philosopy that he firmly believes in replacing OEM parts with the exact samd brand and part. It's an AGM. I checked.

Have you broke out the ol multiple-meter and tested to see If you're experiencing any parasitic draw? Something could be drawing more than it should when its off.

I do know that leaving the truck sitting for just a week, even in nice weather, will sap enough to cause the power-save mode. Perhaps your 15 mile drives aren't enough to keep the battery topped off? 15 mile drives are likely causing excessive fuel dilution in your oil as well.. but thats a whole 'nother deal..

These new vehicles are computer-driven to the extent that its a fault. Ford sets the battery management system parameters in these trucks to keep the battery at either 70 or 75% state of charge.. which if you talk to a true battery nerd.. they'll tell you that 75% isn't enough.. and that it's actually harmful to the battery. There's a connector on/around the battery that if unplugged.. will remove the computers ability to keep the battery under-charged. More than a few folks have unplugged said connector and reported having better success in keeping out of the power-save mode.. that's up to you.

It might not hurt to have the new battery tested as well.. it could just be a factory defect.

 

[sgtsandman]

The OEM battery in these new Rangers have a reputation of not being that great. The one in my 2019 got replaced in 2022. So, yours has held up longer than mine did. We'll see if the replacement OEM is any better.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I bought a 60$ battery from Walmart earlier this year... it's just not an AGM battery that the new rangers use.

I'd ensure that the battery they put in your truck is the proper battery first.. if they out a "regular" battery in.. it probably wouldn't last very long and could explain your issues.

Yeah, start stop will mercilessly throat punch a normal flooded battery... they do not work.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Did you test the alternator?

 

[rubydist]

When you turn off these newer Ford vehicles, a bunch of accessory things stay powered up for a while - usb ports for example. Going into battery saver mode just means that stuff is all getting turned off right away. Its not a problem unless you want to have your dashcam run for 30 minutes after you turn off the vehicle. What I see at the store is some vehicles want to go into battery saver all the time and others never do, even when they likely should. I would not worry about it, but that's just me.

 

[bobbywalter]

i would log the actual charge voltage for a week.


and shit can stop start.