If you do change the battery, though the car is less than three years old, I would be calling Ford CRC and making them pay for a new battery, but if you do, stick a higher capacity one on. And reset battery monitoring system

I am having a similar issue with my 2021 Kuga. After 11 months the original VARTA battery failed. Initially start stop was not working due to "vehicle charging". After another 2 months I was getting messages in ford pass app that the car was put to sleep to preserve battery. Eventually after 4 trips to local dealer they recognized that the battery was faulty and replaced it. 

After 8 months with the new battery the start stop is again not working due to "vehicle charging"

What actually happens:

Battery does not hold a charge. After long trips and after the car has rested over night the battery voltage is 12.2-12.4v

Tryed to charge the battery but it charges really fast. 12.2 v means about 60%SOC, so my 6A shouls require at least 3.5 hours to fil the missing 22Ah capacity. After 40 minutes the charger stops. This means that the battery does not accept the charge.

Funny thing is that the car smart charger seems fine. Voltage is 14.4v. At 35degrees C ambient the voltage drops to ~14.2v (temperature compensation).

There is no parasitic drain on the car. After 20-30 minutes the current is 10mA.

I did not check the alternator voltage after the engine has stopped then started.

Seems that the Varta batteryies that they are using are rubbish. Has anyone replaced the battery from another manufacturer?

 

 

On 6/20/2020 at 4:12 PM, Stophere said:

I have a focus vignale the auto start stop has been at dealer three times and they say the battery is only 50% charged they now want to charge me to charge battery I have asked them what is wrong with battery or alternator and they said both are working fine  can any one help with what it do next  car 18 months old  thanks for all suggestions 

Nothing wrong with it, that's how it is. Invest in a smart charger and charge it yourself. You can alter the parameters of charge via Forscan. One for both @unofix and @StephenFord but be wary of the commission 😃

 

2 minutes ago, Wino said:

Nothing wrong with it, that's how it is. Invest in a smart charger and charge it yourself. You can alter the parameters of charge via Forscan. One for both @unofix and @StephenFord but be wary of the commission 😃

 

Here's one I prepared earlier LOL

 

3 hours ago, StephenFord said:

Here's one I prepared earlier LOL

Cheeky 🤣

Just now, unofix said:

Cheeky 🤣

Hey, no point re-inventing the wheel, I steal ideas from the best 😅

16 hours ago, gheeo said:

Seems that the Varta batteryies that they are using are rubbish. Has anyone replaced the battery from another manufacturer?

The batteries are a 100% fine. I'm not so sure about your Ford dealer.

Assuming that you intend to keep your car for a few years and you don't want to replace the battery every few months then you need to adjust the State Of Charge (SOC). The default is only 80% and you need to adjust this using FORScan software to 95%. Then charge the battery using a smart charger (Maypole - Amazon, under £25). Make sure you charge the battery on the car. Connect the positive lead directly to the battery terminal. Connect the negative lead to the chassis earth point - NOT the battery negative. Charge for a full 12 hours and then live happy ever after.

PS. Battery may require a top up charge every 3 or 4 months but it's like that with all modern cars that don't get regular daily use and/or long drives.

18 hours ago, gheeo said:

Seems that the Varta batteryies that they are using are rubbish. 

My Varta battery is fine after over 4 years of very irregular use. I do give it a regular charge, though, as suggested in this thread, but have not adjusted SOC.

I'm not a fan of start/stop systems and normally disable it when I get in the car. Astoundingly, though, if I do forget to switch it off it usually works!😀

 

 

6 hours ago, unofix said:

you need to adjust the State Of Charge (SOC). The default is only 80% and you need to adjust this using FORScan software to 95%

Can you do this on a 2021 Kuga? I seem to remember @JW1982saying that from the Mk3 onwards you can't change the default SOC.

39 minutes ago, mjt said:

Can you do this on a 2021 Kuga? I seem to remember @JW1982saying that from the Mk3 onwards you can't change the default SOC.

I think it is the other way around (I could be wrong).

Focus Mk3 and before = No adjustment.   Focus Mk4 onwards = adjustment.

I don't know for sure about the Kuga

I bought mine from main dealer dealer in Feb this year it has worked about 3 days in total complained twice and was told the same or drive round with rear demister on have driven round for 5 days with it on nothing. Had a Skoda Octavia for 7 yrs and worked all the time so surely if its a Battery or charging fault Fords r responsable and should supply Focus cars with an age related deal to rectify this fault the car is advertised with stop start.Anyone know if Ford are still selling Focus with this fault.

 

 

 

I think Ford use crap batteries and have a high system off current draw, which prematurely kills the battery. To resolve mine, they had to change the battery.