Here is What Happens When Your Battery Dies!

[PetePerkins]

The battery is simple enough to replace, just like any other vehicle.

If you want it covered by warranty, however, you must make a visit to an Imperial Outpost.

Lol love this

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[Scott R Nelson]

I'm not impressed with AGM batteries. I haven't noticed them performing any better than regular lead acid and when they give you trouble they can't be nursed along as easily.

I wouldn't use anything else on a motorcycle. Nothing leaks out when the bike is upside down.

Not so sure if it makes much difference in a car.

 

[TX-Dennis]

The last time I needed a new battery - for my Mustang - the Motorcraft batteries at the Ford dealer were a slightly lower price than at the local auto parts stores. So that's what I got.

It has to be totally easy to replace the battery in the Bronco, since everything is right out in the open at the front of the engine compartment. The Mustang is pretty easy too. The one in my 2014 Escape is extremely difficult and I let the Ford dealer deal with that the last time I needed one. They complained about it too.

Which reminds me, the battery for my Mustang died after about ten months with a dead cell. Showed 5.6 volts when checked. The dealer gave me a new one to replace it at no cost to me.

In any case, don't assume that you'll get a better deal at an auto parts store than at your local Ford dealer.

There are two ways to go about changing the battery on that generation Escape (and Lincoln MKC as well.)

1. Remove the air cleaner box and slide it out, or

2. Remove wipers, two layers of cowling, master cylinder, and lift it straight out.

I've done both. The air box removal was easier.

 

[RHeinz]

I'm not impressed with AGM batteries. I haven't noticed them performing any better than regular lead acid and when they give you trouble they can't be nursed along as easily.

In my opinion the AGM’s are much better. The wet cells I ran in my old CJ only lasted about a year before they died. They were very intolerant to the beating required to survive in an old Jeep!

 

[RHeinz]

There are two ways to go about changing the battery on that generation Escape (and Lincoln MKC as well.)

1. Remove the air cleaner box and slide it out, or

2. Remove wipers, two layers of cowling, master cylinder, and lift it straight out.

I've done both. The air box removal was easier.

Yeah…. My wife’s Lincoln Nautilus has the battery about half under the “cowl” you have to be a magician to get the ground cable off.

 

[C6ZZGT]

Yea, you are probably right. That is why I was asking the dealer about how much it would cost to replace (assuming it was pro-rated) versus buying a premium AGM battery. But when it is free it's kind of hard to pass up!

No pro-rate on Ford batteries for a few years now.

 

[old goat]

not ford , but I had a dead battery on my 2020 Colorado and the Chevy dealership sold me one of their replacement in stock AC Delco batteries and it was cheaper than the parts stores /comparable and exactly the original I had that went dead after five (5) years to the month !
my 2022 BB has not had any problems with the battery TBTG.

 

[Sherminiator]

The one in my 2014 Escape is extremely difficult and I let the Ford dealer deal with that the last time I needed one. They complained about it too.

WTF was Ford thinking when they did that? Thankfully it was fixed on the update in 2020 Escape (my mom has one)-my Wife's Bronco Sport is easy to get to too.

I did the same with her 2017 Escape-got the dealership to do it because of it being under a cover and the cowling of the windshield.

 

[BadlandsA51]

Is the Bronco so complicated with electronics that the battery must be replaced by the dealer? Can one be bought at NAPA or other parts store and be self installed? I can only imagine what the dealer would charge for a new battery and installation- $500 maybe?

Yes, if you put your own battery in everything will come back to normal. It may take a couple of key cycles and a short drive. Low battery state of charge wreaks havoc on cars with a lot of modules on multiple communication networks, one module has problems because of low voltage and the other modules on the network(s) go berserk because they don’t have the data they need from the module that went down. Welcome to modern technology!

 

[BadlandsA51]

Yea, I agree. You would think with all these electronics you couldn't devise a "Hey your battery is dead dumbXXX" display message.

The best indicator of a weak battery is when Auto Stop/Start quits working, unless it has been turned off with Forscan. Turning ASS off with Forscan just turns off the battery state of charge monitor in the BCM, kind of an unintended byproduct of changing things without fully understanding how the system works.

 

[wjtinfwb]

Keep in mind the Bronco, and mist new cars and trucks don't use a traditional Lead-Acid wet cell battery we're all used to. Those battery's fail predictably, generally a slow death that begins with slow cranking, dim lights, etc. The new AGM battery's in Bronco's and most all new cars are more powerful than lead acid, slightly lighter, aren't prone to explosions like lead acid, but... aren't as reliable. If you get a good one, it may last 7 years. If you get a bad one, it could die in weeks and when they die the voltage is very sporadic, spikes and dips, plays hell with all the electronics. Our '12 Grand Cherokee Hemi had an AGM battery that lasted 6 years and then went psycho, lights on, warnings going off, nav screen flickering and changing maps. I figured the Jeep was a write off that something serious had happened to the electrical. I found some threads on Jeep forums that were similar conditions that were cured by replacing the battery. I bought a new AGM from AutoZone and installed it myself. Every problem went away immediately. When I asked a Mopar tech about it he said the batteries were notorious for causing all types of problems and since most Stellantis products use the same AGM battery they keep 100 in stock at all times and receive shipments every week. I've heard excellent things about X2 and Duracell AGM batteries that are sold at Batteries Plus and places like that. At the first sign of trouble in my '23 Bronco, I'll replace the battery and pray it solves all those issues.

 

[thompsdw]

No pro-rate on Ford batteries for a few years now.

I was pleasantly surprised. For what it’s worth I think who makes the battery is important. I’ve also heard good things about the Duracell brand. I think they sell them at Sam’s club. I’ve become stuck on Odyssey batteries since using them on boats and pwcs. Just seems like you can’t kill them. They are a bit more expensive but not that much for reliability. Fwiu they use them on the military vehicles.

 

[mikec426]

No, it's easy to do yourself. I changed the battery in my Expedition recently and installed an Odyssey battery. You just have to remember to reset the BMS system after you change the battery. Google and you can find the procedure.

Ok, I know what BSM is… what’s BMS?

 

[thompsdw]

Battery management system from what I understand.

 

[Rydfree]

I wouldn't use anything else on a motorcycle. Nothing leaks out when the bike is upside down.

Not so sure if it makes much difference in a car.

Isn't the motorcycle being upside down the bigger issue here ? Lol.

I switched to Lithium battery in my cycles, and they work great plus they are about as light as a pack of cigarettes.

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