2025 with 3000 miles not charging at times.

[Boomerrang]

Brought it to the Ford dealer and they don't have a clue. When its not charging I give the system a high load
(a/c on high, lights on high) and then it will charge. Has no codes and is intermittent. Have a trip planned
to Idaho and I want this fixed. Anyone else have this problem?
Thanks for any help.

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[TheRealSasquatch]

Brought it to the Ford dealer and they don't have a clue. When its not charging I give the system a high load
(a/c on high, lights on high) and then it will charge. Has no codes and is intermittent. Have a trip planned
to Idaho and I want this fixed. Anyone else have this problem?
Thanks for any help.

Look for simple things first. I just had this happen on my ram 2500. The retention clasp for the alternator signal lead on the back of the alternator broke and it was getting and interrupted signal. Loose grounds or a contaminated battery terminal (corrosion) can cause high resistance and it will only be overcome by high demand.
its most likely something small.
there is a saying don’t looks for zebras when you hear horses.
keep it simple and go after the simple stuff first.

 

[Don Vandyke]

That sucks. Just guessing with all the battery problems Ford has had it's probably the battery. One cell not working properly can cause all kinds of issues. There is a load test the dealer could do before your trip. I know one guy on here had a similar issue.

 

[Rangerjimm]

I had one dead cell in the batt. on my 25 Feb build. It would charge but only get to barely 12v. Would then run down in the garage after a couple days. They have a computerized load tester on a wheeled cart that takes an hour or so and gives them detailed info on the battery. They put a new one in mine and its been great since.

 

[Boomerrang]

I had one dead cell in the batt. on my 25 Feb build. It would charge but only get to barely 12v. Would then run down in the garage after a couple days. They have a computerized load tester on a wheeled cart that takes an hour or so and gives them detailed info on the battery. They put a new one in mine and its been great since.

Thanks for your reply.
Have not had a dead battery but, the battery light comes on and then goes out while driving.
Does not leave a code.
Dave

 

[TheRealSasquatch]

Thanks for your reply.
Have not had a dead battery but, the battery light comes on and then goes out while driving.
Does not leave a code.
Dave

If it’s intermittent something is probably shaking loose. Does the truck ever illuminate the battery light at idle sitting still?
The fact that it isn’t leaving a code probably means it’s something the computer can’t verify like a physical connection.
Just open the hood and start tugging on connections and take off the battery terminals to check to see if there is corrosion there.
If you’re not the type that likes to take stuff apart no worries. I just hope this gives you a starting point.

 

[MasterCylinder]

Brought it to the Ford dealer and they don't have a clue. When its not charging I give the system a high load
(a/c on high, lights on high) and then it will charge. Has no codes and is intermittent. Have a trip planned
to Idaho and I want this fixed. Anyone else have this problem?
Thanks for any help.

The Ranger has "Smart technology" charging type of system. Much more information is needed. Ford should know this. How are you monitoring the charging and seeing it not charge? The system works in short version. Monitoring with a meter on battery, it will show at times to be over charging, Not charging and even show low charge barely over the battery resting not running voltage. The smart system by design, leaves little reserve capacity in the battery to presumably extend battery life. (should be a AGM) Ford can reprogram the system to charge like a more conventional system but at the consequence of shorter battery life. According to Ford that is. The system monitors both voltage and current. You may not have a problem at all and just seeing the system doing it's thing.

 

[RickyB77]

Brought it to the Ford dealer and they don't have a clue. When its not charging I give the system a high load
(a/c on high, lights on high) and then it will charge. Has no codes and is intermittent. Have a trip planned
to Idaho and I want this fixed. Anyone else have this problem?
Thanks for any help.

25 xlt 2.3...I had the same problem at 600 miles. After 5 trips to the dealership turns out the main engine ground was loose from the factory.

 

[Boomerrang]

The Ranger has "Smart technology" charging type of system. Much more information is needed. Ford should know this. How are you monitoring the charging and seeing it not charge? The system works in short version. Monitoring with a meter on battery, it will show at times to be over charging, Not charging and even show low charge barely over the battery resting not running voltage. The smart system by design, leaves little reserve capacity in the battery to presumably extend battery life. (should be a AGM) Ford can reprogram the system to charge like a more conventional system but at the consequence of shorter battery life. According to Ford that is. The system monitors both voltage and current. You may not have a problem at all and just seeing the system doing it's thing.

The battery light comes and beeps says there is a fault. Honda started to use this "smart tech charging" back in the 90s. Checked the voltage with my volt meter.

 

[Boomerrang]

25 xlt 2.3...I had the same problem at 600 miles. After 5 trips to the dealership turns out the main engine ground was loose from the factory.

I will put the Ranger on the hoist (nice having your shop) and see if I can find the ground strap. Have thought about adding a ground strap from battery to engine. Ranger doesn't come with one.
Thanks for the reply.
Dave

 

[Rangerjimm]

Thanks for your reply.
Have not had a dead battery but, the battery light comes on and then goes out while driving.
Does not leave a code.
Dave

On my Lariat the battery saver feature notifies you on the app when it gets down in the 11 volt range. It also shuts off features that cause minor current drain so you can still start the truck. I got this notification twice before I took it in. I recharged it after those notifications but it wouldn't hold a charge. It has now sat in my garage for a 2 week period with no issues after the new battery.

 

[Boomerrang]

25 xlt 2.3...I had the same problem at 600 miles. After 5 trips to the dealership turns out the main engine ground was loose from the factory.

Rick I LOVE YOU MAN!!!!!!!
Sure the hell the ground was loose on the engine. Removed the front skid pan and tighten the bolt. Two minute job!
Thank you very much. You are welcome to stay at my place if you ever come out to east Oregon.
Dave

 

[TheRealSasquatch]

Look for simple things first. I just had this happen on my ram 2500. The retention clasp for the alternator signal lead on the back of the alternator broke and it was getting and interrupted signal. Loose grounds or a contaminated battery terminal (corrosion) can cause high resistance and it will only be overcome by high demand.
its most likely something small.
there is a saying don’t looks for zebras when you hear horses.
keep it simple and go after the simple stuff first.

We’ll look at that a loose wire! Slow clap for Ford and not setting the torque.

 

[RangerPA]

Rick I LOVE YOU MAN!!!!!!!
Sure the hell the ground was loose on the engine. Removed the front skid pan and tighten the bolt. Two minute job!
Thank you very much. You are welcome to stay at my place if you ever come out to east Oregon.
Dave

Can you post a photo of the location of the ground? I tried to Google it, but it seems the photos aren't showing one under the skid plate.

 

[Boomerrang]

Can you post a photo of the location of the ground? I tried to Google it, but it seems the photos aren't showing one under the skid plate.

I'll take a pic next time I have it up in the air. If you take the front skid pan off just look straight up and you will see the ground cable. Cable goes from the front cross member to the lower left on the engine. It will be to your right as you are looking at it.
There is only one cable can't miss it, I promise.

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