[Flyingwhales150]

This has never happened after sitting a long time, only within 1 or 2 hours after I drove it and shut it off. For example, starts up fine in morning, drive to restaurant, eat, then it won’t start.

 

[Boatwaco]

Did you go through this thread, back a few pages? One guy found it was corrosion on a battery cable.

"Charging System Service Now" Problem

It seems like a lot of Ford owners might have this problem, but I'm not finding any solid information about it being a bug. My 2016 with about 32K miles on it is showing the error message about 30 seconds after cranking up. I've got what looks like a brand new battery with tight contacts at the...

www.f150ecoboost.net

 

[Flyingwhales150]

Yes I read through the thread, but I don’t think he was able to get it started until replacing the wire. My truck will start most of the time, but is very sporadic on when it doesn’t start. I’ve had the wires checked recently with no issues found.

 

[Boatwaco]

I'm suggesting you check the wires closely; remove and replace the battery cables to verify they are in good condition. Often a mechanic or tech will just glance at or maybe pull gently on a battery cable but not really look at it closely.

 

[Upshifter]

Mine has recently begun doing this, though sounds like possibly more frequently.
When it fails to start, do you still hear the "click" from over by the passenger footwell?

If so, one theory I've learned is that it wouldn't be a problem with any ignition or security systems, and instead could be a problem with the cabling, starter relay or starter itself.

If possible with a helper or remote start, check to see if the starter is getting both 12v constant and 12v upon ignition when the failed start happens.
If the failure is few and far between, however, this would be difficult.

 

[Flyingwhales150]

Ok I will closely inspect the battery cables to see what I find. As for when it doesn’t start, I don’t hear any clicking by the passenger side, it’s more of a high pitched dog whistle under the driver side. One time I jumped it and it started immediately, but every other time it just takes an average of 20 minutes of turning the key until it eventually starts with no error code.

 

[N4HHE]

The cited thread from 2021-2022 said one connector was corroded but in the bulk volume I don't understand which connector was corroded.

 

[Flyingwhales150]

If I find anything corrodes I’ll try and take a picture. I also plan on swapping my starter, I found another thread where the starter in 2017 F-150’s was causing the same intermittent no start issues I am having.

 

[timblodgett74]

It seems like a lot of Ford owners might have this problem, but I'm not finding any solid information about it being a bug. My 2016 with about 32K miles on it is showing the error message about 30 seconds after cranking up. I've got what looks like a brand new battery with tight contacts at the battery. AutoZone put the ODB on it and didn't find any problems with the alternator (or anything else.) I did some volt-meter testing before going to AutoZone and didn't find any problems with the battery at rest or under load (A/C, lights, radio, fog lights etc.). AutoZone also tested the battery. It checked with no problems, but the employee said he thought the cranking voltage dipped too low during the starter test. It went down to around 9.1 on the line graph. This alert box never appeared before updating from SYNC 1.0 to SYNC 3.0. Does anyone know what components can trigger this warning? It only comes up shortly after cranking. When the alert is dismissed, the red battery icon light stays lit. The alert box hasn't reappeared once it gets dismissed. I'm going to take a ferry and put this truck on a remote beach later this month and want to nip any electrical problems in the bud. View attachment 145745 View attachment 145785

It may be part of the battery monitoring system. Has your vehicle been sitting a long time? AGM batteries don’t like to sit. The newer F150 systems pull a lot of power while the engine is off. So if you have low amps before you charge up the BMS will send warnings, shut off systems or enemy unable starting if the voltage is low enough. If you charge the battery you must make sure the BMS located on the negative battery clamp can read the charge or it will continue to shut you down. You must ground the negative to the body not the lug on the battery for the BMS to register the charge. I drive my 2017 f150 about twice a month & need to keep a battery tender on it always.

 

[smoede]

Hello rgbfoundry. I'm having a very similar issue with my 2016 Ford F150 Lariat, 2.7 liter, 4X4. About 20 seconds after I crank the engine, a large red "Charging System, Service Now" light comes on the display. If you reply with "OK", the message goes away but a small red Check Engine light stays on for the duration the engine is on. AutoZone checked the battery, alternator and even the starter.....all checked fine. I took the truck back to the dealer that I purchased it from and they replaced the alternator...did not fix. They are replacing the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) now. I'm hoping this fixes the issue! I read your post and I'm not sure exactly what an "alternator assembly" is. My question to you is has this happened again since they replaced the alternator assembly? Has this been a reoccurring theme for you? Because I'm still within the 30 day return policy! Thanks for any insight you can provide.

did the pcm fix it having same done right now on mine?

 

[smoede]

Hello rgbfoundry. I'm having a very similar issue with my 2016 Ford F150 Lariat, 2.7 liter, 4X4. About 20 seconds after I crank the engine, a large red "Charging System, Service Now" light comes on the display. If you reply with "OK", the message goes away but a small red Check Engine light stays on for the duration the engine is on. AutoZone checked the battery, alternator and even the starter.....all checked fine. I took the truck back to the dealer that I purchased it from and they replaced the alternator...did not fix. They are replacing the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) now. I'm hoping this fixes the issue! I read your post and I'm not sure exactly what an "alternator assembly" is. My question to you is has this happened again since they replaced the alternator assembly? Has this been a reoccurring theme for you? Because I'm still within the 30 day return policy! Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Did pcm fix your issue just curious same scenario going on right now.

 

[lchase7858]

why doesn't Ford fix this? Alternators going bad at less than 50k miles is total due to workmanship (wiring),

 

[Boatwaco]

why doesn't Ford fix this? Alternators going bad at less than 50k miles is total due to workmanship (wiring),

I don’t recall anyone saying alternators are going bad? Did yours fail?

 

[lchase7858]

I don’t recall anyone saying alternators are going bad? Did yours fail?

That what the dealership said after the identical issues referenced in this thread. I think the dealership is guessing. Ford obviously has workmanship and reliability issues on this generation between the wiring harness and the alternator. Also, the fact the there is no smoking gun allowd them to replace parts that should be lasting much long.
What's most disturbing, MotorCraft isn't euipping the service departments with what they need to be successful. $1,200 for a CX-8833 alternator and I'll bet you $1,000.00 I'll have the vehicle back in service within a month.
Pitiful for what you pay for this vehicle

 

[Boatwaco]

That what the dealership said after the identical issues referenced in this thread. I think the dealership is guessing.

What year and trim Ecoboost are you driving? What symptoms or problems or codes were you having that took you back in for service? Some issues seem similar but may be different. If there are true alternator issues showing up, we would be grateful to learn about it here.

 

[Justinjs]

Mine lasted almost 200k, and It was only replaced due to being noisy on cold mornings.

They're easy to replace too, so paying someone $1200 to replace one....that's foolish.

 

[2016XLT4x4]

That what the dealership said after the identical issues referenced in this thread. I think the dealership is guessing. Ford obviously has workmanship and reliability issues on this generation between the wiring harness and the alternator. Also, the fact the there is no smoking gun allowd them to replace parts that should be lasting much long.
What's most disturbing, MotorCraft isn't euipping the service departments with what they need to be successful. $1,200 for a CX-8833 alternator and I'll bet you $1,000.00 I'll have the vehicle back in service within a month.
Pitiful for what you pay for this vehicle

There's no ambiguity or guessing... the alternator is either good or bad. The cost of a new alternator plus labor is nowhere near $1200 so there must be more to that bill. It doesn't take a month to swap the alternator and verify that the charging system is functioning correctly. You should have the vehicle back in service the same day or maybe the next.
Motorcraft is a parts manufacturer not a service provider. I'm not sure what you mean by them "equipping" a service department.

 

[Justinjs]

There's no ambiguity or guessing... the alternator is either good or bad. The cost of a new alternator plus labor is nowhere near $1200 so there must be more to that bill. It doesn't take a month to swap the alternator and verify that the charging system is functioning correctly. You should have the vehicle back in service the same day or maybe the next.
Motorcraft is a parts manufacturer not a service provider. I'm not sure what you mean by them "equipping" a service department.

Well said. The alternator takes less than an hour for a diy-er to replace (what is it.. two bolts + an electrical connector?!). It IS insane how much an OE one costs though, rockauto was around $400 I believe.

Anyone reading this...a FORD alternator isn't hard to replace! I changed one on a 5.4 in the parking lot of AutoZone while they were closing with a couple tools. The 3.5 alternator isn't much different. Just replace it yourself and save yourself time/$.