Battery issues

Rjcook

Got in the bronco today to start it up and got all the warning lights on dash, then got a message" system shutdown to conserve battery" then a countdown bar and everything went dark. It has been in garage for a week and a half while I have been awaiting upgrade parts, but that shouldn't have drained the battery

I believe I saw you had Rockslide steps and remember hearing some had issues with the battery. Found the thread.
https://thebronconation.com/forums/threads/rockslide-engineering-battery-issue.12683/

Deano Bronc

I believe I saw you had Rockslide steps and remember hearing some had issues with the battery. Found the thread.
https://thebronconation.com/forums/threads/rockslide-engineering-battery-issue.12683/

Thanks, that was my first thought

I'm going to put an ammeter in the battery line and see if I can find it.

Update, I disconnected all mods and checked current drain, the only one was 100ma from rock sliders probably solid state relay leakage, not uncommon. But as you can see from the photos their is a constant .4A drain on the battery cable that goes to engine compartment fuse box. I removed all the fuse and their was no effect. I will do same with under dash fuses tomorrow. When you disconnect and reconnect the cable to fuse box something powers up and cycles, while it's cycling it draws 7A, when it stops the amps slowly drop to .4A and periodically jumps between 2 and 4A, then drops back down. I'm thinking fuel pump?, But it doesn't seem to be fused from engine fuse box. Ford techs if you are listening, give me some insight. Anyone know where to get factory service manual?

A .5 amp drain seems excessive when car is just sitting. I guess all that electronic stuff needs constant nourishment

I have no clue. But here are a few novice ideas:

1. Do you drive it very far after seldom used? If not maybe your alternator needs more time on road to pump out more juice to the battery.

2. We use to sell dash cams that when vehicle on required 1amp power vs when off required .5amp. The .5amp status could stay active up to 2 weeks without draining battery IF it was a good battery AND would shut down prior to car battery drain. Whether .5 or .4amp its very low draw. In regards to your situation, might be related to a constant power onboard feature that runs while car is off. There are a few..

3. If no dash cam or power seats in yours, I wonder if broncos have a gas/vapor leak detection system similar to our old 2019 & 2016 4Runners. It would make a funny noise for about 10 seconds every 4-6hrs when off. It was leak detection system. Possibly this drained your battery, but after only a week without being used its not likely unless you've owned it since last year and put battery through extreme weather (hot and cold + seldom used) weakening the battery.

4. Another possibility. If your bronco is set up for over the air updates AND is connected to your home wifi so to receive automatic updates while parked in garage and OFF...this also might be the cause. We have this feature turned on and as of today no battery issues.

Just brainstorming. Keep us posted

NT AUTOMOTIVE

I have no clue. But here are a few novice ideas:

1. Do you drive it very far after seldom used? If not maybe your alternator needs more time on road to pump out more juice to the battery.

2. We use to sell dash cams that when vehicle on required 1amp power vs when off required .5amp. The .5amp status could stay active up to 2 weeks without draining battery IF it was a good battery AND would shut down prior to car battery drain. Whether .5 or .4amp its very low draw. In regards to your situation, might be related to a constant power onboard feature that runs while car is off. There are a few..

3. If no dash cam or power seats in yours, I wonder if broncos have a gas/vapor leak detection system similar to our old 2019 & 2016 4Runners. It would make a funny noise for about 10 seconds every 4-6hrs when off. It was leak detection system. Possibly this drained your battery, but after only a week without being used its not likely unless you've owned it since last year and put battery through extreme weather (hot and cold + seldom used) weakening the battery.

4. Another possibility. If your bronco is set up for over the air updates AND is connected to your home wifi so to receive automatic updates while parked in garage and OFF...this also might be the cause. We have this feature turned on and as of today no battery issues.

Just brainstorming. Keep us posted

Thanks, Im still investigating and I will eventually isolate it. .5 amps is about 85 amp hours of draw over a week, I haven't ruled out a weak battery. Iv had it year with no problems.

Well the battery is dead again, this time it is terminal. The battery is internally shorted and I can only assume it's from rough use. Any ideas as to a proven off road use battery

Rjcook

Well the battery is dead again, this time it is terminal. The battery is internally shorted and I can only assume it's from rough use. Any ideas as to a proven off road use battery

Perhaps the battery is just defective? Have you replaced it?

Bschurr

Perhaps the battery is just defective? Have you replaced it?

Not yet, it's possible but I do off roading and it's more likely that the battery isn't stout enough to handle the ruff use. It's not a frequent topic on the forums and people that off road a lot have had the issue. Thank you for your reply, it seems that the go-to battery is the optima brand yellowtop

Well update I removed the battery and against my better judgement decided to go warranty route. I was told that I couldn't just bring in the battery I had to bring in the vehicle, (don't understand why) so I arranged to have vehicle towed via Ford roadside assistance. I'm afraid that they will tell me that since I removed the battery it will void the warranty (past bad experience) I very very fear that this is going to cost me more money and time. They are on their way, pray for me , I don't have any luck these days other than Bad.

Good luck @Rjcook - I hope it works out for you!

Rjcook

Well update I removed the battery and against my better judgement decided to go warranty route. I was told that I couldn't just bring in the battery I had to bring in the vehicle, (don't understand why) so I arranged to have vehicle towed via Ford roadside assistance. I'm afraid that they will tell me that since I removed the battery it will void the warranty (past bad experience) I very very fear that this is going to cost me more money and time. They are on their way, pray for me , I don't have any luck these days other than Bad.

I don't foresee an warranty issue because you removed the battery. However, with Ford these days you will never know. I hope this works out for you!

I'm surprised that I feel ashamed that my year old bronco going to dealer for warranty service

Well my Eeyore moment has come and gone and I'm pleased to tell that my battery was covered in warranty and all is well. Thanks to all for insights and advice.

Rjcook

Well my Eeyore moment has come and gone and I'm pleased to tell that my battery was covered in warranty and all is well. Thanks to all for insights and advice.

Glad you got it fixed, but also really curious if it will happen again. Battery should not have been killed THAT quickly. :(

SuperMike

Glad you got it fixed, but also really curious if it will happen again. Battery should not have been killed THAT quickly. :(

Yeah, I'm really curious to see what will happen when that Bronco sits for a week again without being driven. Also, is that .05A drain still there?

SuperMike

Glad you got it fixed, but also really curious if it will happen again. Battery should not have been killed THAT quickly. :(

I agree, I asked the service rep if they have had any other failures and he indicated some but not frequently.

JoergH

Yeah, I'm really curious to see what will happen when that Bronco sits for a week again without being driven. Also, is that .05A drain still there?

I assume so and I will let it set until next week to see. There is a 200 ma drain from the rock sliders. The 400ma drain is just the bronco electronics don't know what to do about that. But at .5A about 12amp hours per day so a 200amp hour battery should last about 2 weeks sitting in garage. I suspect Ford thought people would be driving more often. I don't use it as a daily driver so who knows. Most electronics have a small leakage current especially solid state relays. Leakage rate is a function of the quality of the device. Cheaper components more leakage. I have been told locking the vehicle puts it in standby but I haven't check that .