Bronco has planned obsolescence , that is the AGM BATTERY 36 mos. Ford technical dept just confirmed 70%

frankgoss
Apr 25, 2023

Rank V

Apr 25, 2023

The electrical system is controlled by the BECM and the factory setting is at 70% ,at which the alternator clutch will stop sending voltage, into the battery, most likely to prevent overcharging or battery exploding.

Sounds good, right. But the Start stop system is disabled, Ford says at 75% or so. Ford says run your Bronco at least every 14 days.

Ford Pass keeps only the current battery voltage, but sometimes records alternator output like 14.9 v. You will not see it on Ford Pass, but girls can give you the actual voltage, except as stated before.

Took MY22 Bronco in Feb 2023 and asked to have AGM checked out. They charged for one hr. and said good. Readout 12.43 v or say 80%/ never got higher per Ford Pass. Why. Three stages in battery charging: bulk 80%1 hr; absorption +2-6 hrs; float 100% 4-6hrs. This prevent sulfide issues, which kills batteries!

Ford supervisor in CRC said her technical people said can't change factory 70% BECM computer setting, so if battery is not removed from Bronco you will never have a fully charged (13v) AGM.

If AGM under-charged, like 70% it will last 3 years even with a trickle charger. Why 70%! The owners manual cautions you where to attach the jumper cables. Red to red battery terminal but black to ground lug, not black terminal. WOW does the tow truck guy know that.

Today after 21/2 Hrs a supervisor CRC calls her tech guy and he gives statement " change 70% in BECM will void your warrantee" . Dealers get .2 hr warrantee or say $27 for a one hour BULK charge to 70% and my start stop is still disabled, in summer the a/c will also get disabled by the BECM and Ford will do nothing.. They say drive your car, get to 36,000 miles and " Sorry Charlie" or take your roof off! COOL?

To make matters worse, Ford Pass reset its "Deep Sleep" computer settings on AMG now to 9.5v. Dead!

If they can't get battery management software right , how are Ford EV with new EV factory under construction work. Planned obsolescence ! Nothing new to Ford. That is why I just ordered my second MY 23.5 DEFENDER 110. You heard me one for Florida and second for New York, so the MY 22 Base Bronco don't feel alone in the barn. Build "Ford Wild" if your battery works! Give it 36 months like the AGM labke says! Another $350.00 installed. So change the oil every year and AGM every third oil change!
ResidualGenius
Last edited by a moderator: Apr 25, 2023

John

Apr 25, 2023

#1
What's an alternator clutch?

.

Rank V

Apr 25, 2023

#2
What's an alternator clutch?

.

It is called a alternator De-Coupler It is a sort of clutch the helps the belt tensioner and the belt last longer, protecting them from the load of the alternator going up and down in AMP-LOAD.. If it not defective it in no way can effect the ability of the alternator to charge your battery. If you need more info let me know?
Tim Bolt

U.S. ARMY RANGER / ASE MASTER TECH.
Darrel, magicrobots

Official unofficial BN Photographer

Apr 25, 2023

#3
what are BECM, AGM, CRC, AMG and labke?

I don't understand why the OP is mad... because he has to drive the Bronco to keep the battery charged?

I've read the post a couple times and have no idea what this rant is about.
Reservation: 7/20/20 | MY '21 order: 2/1/21 | MY '22 order: 10/22/21 | Blend 8/5, built 8/8, 'built' status 8/27, in my driveway 10/12/22
Auto Photographer in Sacramento CA:
www.instagram.com/photographybymarkbrooks
etmccaus, Southern62
Moderator

Life is a Highway

Apr 25, 2023

#4
Aren’t Ford battery warranties 3 years? My 08 Mustang battery died after two years and they replaced under warranty. My replacement one has lasted over 12 years
Bronco 202?, Darrel

Rank VI

Apr 25, 2023

#5
Good to see Frank active on the site.
2022 Jeep JLR, manual with even more extra guacamole
Sold - 2021 Jeep JLR, manual w/extra guacamole
Speed Devil, Ditchrunner

Rank V

Apr 25, 2023

#6
what are BECM, AGM, CRC, AMG and labke?

I don't understand why the OP is mad... because he has to drive the Bronco to keep the battery charged?

I've read the post a couple times and have no idea what this rant is about.
Battery
Energy
Control
Module
Tim Bolt

U.S. ARMY RANGER / ASE MASTER TECH.
Bronco 202?, Darrel

you can tune a guitar but can't tune a fish

Apr 25, 2023

#7
what are BECM, AGM, CRC, AMG and labke?

I don't understand why the OP is mad... because he has to drive the Bronco to keep the battery charged?

I've read the post a couple times and have no idea what this rant is about.
Hes not far from me, he can always drop it off at my house and I will drive it to charge the battery, because I'm a nice guy like that.
Joined May 29, 2020 Member 546
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀​
Speed Devil, Ditchrunner

Rank VI

Apr 25, 2023

#8
Good to see Frank active on the site.
For some small values of “good."
Ditchrunner

Rank A Bazillion

Apr 26, 2023

#9
I've read the post a couple times and have no idea what this rant is about.

I asked ChatGPT to simplify the post, and this is the result I got:

The car's electrical system is controlled by the BECM, which is set to 70% to prevent overcharging or battery explosion. However, this disables the Start stop system. The Bronco needs to be run every 14 days. Ford Pass only shows current battery voltage, not alternator output. A charged AGM should have a voltage of 13v, but it will only charge up to 80% in 1 hour. If the AGM is undercharged at 70%, it will only last 3 years. To avoid sulfide issues, charge the battery to 100% in 4-6 hours. Ford won't change the BECM setting as it will void the warranty, and the start stop will still be disabled. Ford Pass reset the Deep Sleep computer setting to 9.5v, causing the battery to die. The customer ordered a second car due to these issues.

Not sure that's much better. But it's fun.
Frank just makes me think of ChatGPT I can't help it. :)
2021 | Outer Banks + Sasquatch | 2 Door HT | Oxford White
87BroncoVB, Speed Devil

Really Likes Pi

Apr 29, 2023

#10
what are BECM, AGM, CRC, AMG and labke?

I don't understand why the OP is mad... because he has to drive the Bronco to keep the battery charged?

I've read the post a couple times and have no idea what this rant is about.

I took away: $27 + $350 = Anger

Anger about what? I don't know. But anger.
1682797320352.png
Deano Bronc, Speed Devil

Rank IV

Apr 29, 2023

#11
Frank, what would cause the battery to explode?
No salt tram towers were harmed in the making of this post...

Yosemite here I come!

Apr 30, 2023

#12
Us humans have planned obsolescence.
Black Diamond/4-door/mid pkg/2.7/MIC/rack/towing/Eruption Green/res 7.13.20/ord 2.8.21, then 10.15.21/built 1.21.22/delivered 4.15.22
Gunstock Off-Roadeo 10/29/22/Steel and Stirrups Traveling Lamp holder 9.23
Gaia GPS
Bronco 202?, Eninty

Gladesmen

Apr 30, 2023

#13
If AGM under-charged, like 70% it will last 3 years even with a trickle charger. Why 70%! The owners manual cautions you where to attach the jumper cables. Red to red battery terminal but black to ground lug, not black terminal. WOW does the tow truck guy know that.
It has always ( as long as I have been around cars) best practice to put the negative jumper cable to a ground on the block, not the battery itself.
Bronco Nation 1100. Everglades, Desert Sand
Res: 7/30/20 ordered 1/22/21 reorder 10/15/21 changed to Everglades 3/9/22 schedule 8/29/22 bumped to 9/5; 9/7/22 blend, 9/9 Mods, 9/26/22 completed, 10/7 shipped, 11/3/22 delivery
87BroncoVB, Deano Bronc

you can tune a guitar but can't tune a fish

Apr 30, 2023

#14
It has always ( as long as I have been around cars) best practice to put the negative jumper cable to a ground on the block, not the battery itself.

Yup avoid sparks around the battery, there can be hydrogen gas present during charging. At least once a year there is a battery explosion at the town garage trying to charge batteries during the winter.
Joined May 29, 2020 Member 546
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀​
Deano Bronc, Speed Devil

Rank VI

Apr 30, 2023

#15
Us humans have planned obsolescence.
Ya like 90 years if we are lucky 🤣
Speed Devil, Ditchrunner

Rank II

May 01, 2023

#16
Aren’t Ford battery warranties 3 years? My 08 Mustang battery died after two years and they replaced under warranty. My replacement one has lasted over 12 years
Yeah they have a 3yr warranty

you can tune a guitar but can't tune a fish

May 01, 2023

#17
Ya like 90 years if we are lucky 🤣
Planned obsolescence? I thought it was an expiration date.
There certainly is a "Best if used by" date for some.
Joined May 29, 2020 Member 546
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀​
Deano Bronc, Bronco 202?
Moderator

Life is a Highway

May 01, 2023

#18
Planned obsolescence? I thought it was an expiration date.
There certainly is a "Best if used by" date for some.
Is there a born on date like a beer?
Speed Devil, Sven

you can tune a guitar but can't tune a fish

May 01, 2023

#19
Is there a born on date like a beer?
Where do you think they got it from?😆
But then again that's an AB thing, they have New Jersey water that identifies as beer.
Joined May 29, 2020 Member 546
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀​
Deano Bronc, Speed Devil

You must log in or register to post here.