Drive-in problem: extending or disabling the Accessory Mode shutdown ("system off to save battery")

[braddavis2017]

Took the Bronco to a drive-in last night and we had some problems...

I put it in Accessory Mode (press the start button without your foot on the brake, so the whole dash and radio are on but the engine isn't running). Partway through the movie the truck shut everything down with a "system off to save battery" message on the screen. So I cycled the ignition to get the radio back, and the auto headlights came blasting on and lit up the entire lot. It kept doing this the whole night. You best believe my afternoon today is forscan to turn off auto headlights etc.

But I'd rather fix the actual problem, which is the shutdown itself. Before anyone points me at it: I already know about the Power Point Timeout setting (BdyCM 726-57-01 on the spreadsheet). From what I understand that only controls how long the 12V outlets and USB ports stay hot AFTER you turn the truck off, so charging keeps working while you grab groceries or whatever. That's not my issue.

My issue is the truck kicking itself out of Accessory Mode entirely while I'm sitting in it.

Does anyone know where THAT timeout lives? Is there a BdyCM setting for it, or is it buried in the battery management system where forscan can't touch it? Searched the spreadsheet and this forum and came up empty.

If the answer is "you can't," what are you guys doing at drive-ins? I saw the extended play mod for the APIM (7D0-01-01, supposedly lets the radio play up to 60 min after shutoff if you press the volume knob) but haven't tried it and don't know if it's confirmed on our trucks.

Oh and for anyone wondering, it was a double feature of the new Spiderman and an encore of The Backrooms. One of them was a cinematic masterpiece and one of them was slop. I'll let you all duke it out over which is which...

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[CitrusBronco]

In to find out how to fix this.

Using a D cell boom box to listen to the movie. It’s the tech of the future

 

[braddavis2017]

In to find out how to fix this.

Using a D cell boom box to listen to the movie. It’s the tech of the future

We literally went to the snack bar and got one of these for the Backrooms hahaha.

 

[Dan-O]

WOW….i didn’t know there where any drive-ins left in this country. Haven’t seen one operating for years!!!!

 

[Headsong]

WOW….i didn’t know there where any drive-ins left in this country. Haven’t seen one operating for years!!!!

There's still one here in Chicagoland. Far NW burb.

 

[MilesTeg]

This has been a problem for me for the last 15-20 years. I do the drive in regularly (my town has one of the last in the country). These days I just bring a battery powered smart speaker with an FM tuner. I don't go to the drive in for the ultimate A/V theatre experience, hah.

Plus, I don't have to worry about draining the battery having a bunch of shit running beyond the radio (screens/computers/etc.). Old cars without tons of electronics would be fine, but not so sure about 5 hours (double feature) with modern cars.

 

[rugedraw]

Maybe here in the APIM? FNA is Ford North America and FoE is Ford of Europe. Changing this bit to FoE may get you an hour instead of whatever is in there now. My F150 shows a 0 there which is weird; I expected to see a 2. I rarely every sit in the truck long enough to get the message where it is going to sht down, so never paid attention to how long it takes to happen.

 

[Beach_Bum]

You know that you can turn the dial on the light switch so that the Automatic lights do not come on?

Also, just turn off the 30 min max idle under Vehicle Settings and sit in the AC with it idling.

 

[24GTBadlands]

There's still one here in Chicagoland. Far NW burb.

Since you mentioned it...
I had the same issue at the McHenry Outdoor in my 2018 Edge, then I remembered you can just tap the power button on the radio and it goes on without all the dash lights.

 

[24GTBadlands]

Took the Bronco to a drive-in last night and we had some problems...

I put it in Accessory Mode (press the start button without your foot on the brake, so the whole dash and radio are on but the engine isn't running). Partway through the movie the truck shut everything down with a "system off to save battery" message on the screen. So I cycled the ignition to get the radio back, and the auto headlights came blasting on and lit up the entire lot. It kept doing this the whole night. You best believe my afternoon today is forscan to turn off auto headlights etc.

But I'd rather fix the actual problem, which is the shutdown itself. Before anyone points me at it: I already know about the Power Point Timeout setting (BdyCM 726-57-01 on the spreadsheet). From what I understand that only controls how long the 12V outlets and USB ports stay hot AFTER you turn the truck off, so charging keeps working while you grab groceries or whatever. That's not my issue.

My issue is the truck kicking itself out of Accessory Mode entirely while I'm sitting in it.

Does anyone know where THAT timeout lives? Is there a BdyCM setting for it, or is it buried in the battery management system where forscan can't touch it? Searched the spreadsheet and this forum and came up empty.

If the answer is "you can't," what are you guys doing at drive-ins? I saw the extended play mod for the APIM (7D0-01-01, supposedly lets the radio play up to 60 min after shutoff if you press the volume knob) but haven't tried it and don't know if it's confirmed on our trucks.

Oh and for anyone wondering, it was a double feature of the new Spiderman and an encore of The Backrooms. One of them was a cinematic masterpiece and one of them was slop. I'll let you all duke it out over which is which...

I just tested this as I havent tried it on the Bronco. you can just tap the power button on the radio. No Accessory mode needed. just be in it with keys push radio power button. screen turns on. ( had the same experience a couple years ago in my Edge Sport beause I forgot about Drive in Mode (I named it that)

 

[braddavis2017]

You know that you can turn the dial on the light switch so that the Automatic lights do not come on?

Also, just turn off the 30 min max idle under Vehicle Settings and sit in the AC with it idling.

Yes but the Bronco has quirk where if you cycle the ignition, it always defaults to Auto headlights, regardless of the position you turned the to dial before you turn the vehicle off.

 

[braddavis2017]

I just tested this as I havent tried it on the Bronco. you can just tap the power button on the radio. No Accessory mode needed. just be in it with keys push radio power button. screen turns on. ( had the same experience a couple years ago in my Edge Sport beause I forgot about Drive in Mode (I named it that)

Just tried this as well and you are 100% correct! The infotainment booted up and I could select a radio station.

For 99.9% of people this would fix the issue. For me, I am in the 00.1% where I have a custom audio system, and without accessory power the amplifier does not turn on.

So yes, I can turn on the screen and tune to an FM station; but no audio for me specifically

 

[HighVelocity]

An Ecoflow power station with their DC charger would allow you to use the Ecoflow to keep the starter battery charged.

 

[Beach_Bum]

Yes but the Bronco has quirk where if you cycle the ignition, it always defaults to Auto headlights, regardless of the position you turned the to dial before you turn the vehicle off.

But in my recommendation, you aren't turning the vehicle off. Just turn the dial on the light switch and turn off the 30 min max idle setting. This way, you have AC. Do you all just sit in an enclosed vehicle for hours without AC?

 

[HighVelocity]

Do you all just sit in an enclosed vehicle for hours without AC?

Depends on how much beer is left.

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