This morning my Focus Titanium 2020 plate wouldn't start. Neither keyless fob would open the car. I had one key fob battery changed and returned home. Neither key fob opens or closes the car including the one where the battery was replaced. When I went to dealership they suggested that because I don't use the car a lot they felt/thought the car battery had gone. ( I was shown how to locate the key).

I'm charging my NOCO GB40 and in an hours time or so I will see if the car will start. Ford also advised I should try and get the breakdown service to come out and see if it's the battery or not. Any ideas?  If the battery has gone, as the car's an ecoboost ( with start stop facility ; I'm not using the function though) what battery should I purchase please? Because I generally use the car infrequently I ought to get a more powerful one?

Thanks in advance

This does sound like a standard flat battery.  Sometimes it happens randomly because of a one-off glitch.  Hopefully it will start with a jump.  Mine started with the NOCO GB40 despite only having 2 volts!

23 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

This does sound like a standard flat battery.  Sometimes it happens randomly because of a one-off glitch.  Hopefully it will start with a jump.  Mine started with the NOCO GB40 despite only having 2 volts!

Many Thanks indeed. I will attempt to start it with the GB540, shortly. I will look at the battery and replace it with like for like? Should I get a more powerful battery because I use it infrequently? (I will have to locate the key that's in the key fob, use it to open the car door, open the bonnet and use the Gb 40).

 

I would say get the same battery and program it to the car using whatever crazy outrageous procedure is needed for your model (don't forget to stand on your head when you carry it out!😄)
Having more Ah may mean it takes longer to discharge but if it's not the same as the car knows about (there are usually options in the BCM?) it may get confused.
As is often said on here, not using the car for long periods means that a regular battery charge should be considered?

Leaving battery on a low charge for any length of time can lead to sulphation, dramatically reducing life:
https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-804b-sulfation-and-how-to-prevent-it

In all honesty, a bigger battery will only reduce the drop in charge slightly, and it'll take longer to recharge when you do drive it, so I'm not sure that's the best idea for low use.

Other members have fitted a diesel battery which is a bit bigger.  I'm sure they'll be along to advise soon.

If you're not aware, the fob can be placed over the end of the keyblade to give you more leverage when in the barrel.  It also turns to the left to unlock which is unintuitive.

When you do get in, the bonnet release is on the passenger side, but you won't be able to open the passenger door.  The handbook says you should dismantle the bonnet lever, but many of us find we can just pull it far enough without opening the passenger door.

1 hour ago, fiesta boy said:

Many Thanks indeed. I will attempt to start it with the GB540, shortly. I will look at the battery and replace it with like for like? Should I get a more powerful battery because I use it infrequently? (I will have to locate the key that's in the key fob, use it to open the car door, open the bonnet and use the Gb 40).

 

I have more news.

I ( with a friend) managed to get the car started. I let the car run for 30 odd minutes and will try again to see if the car starts again , tonight or tomorrow. Whilst doing all this we spoke and he was of the opinion that as I've only had the car a year and weeks or so ago ( and I had a years warranty/ now literally just expired and I bought it from Trust Ford) , I ought to approach them and see if ( as a matter of goodwill ) they will give me a replacement battery or something towards a new one? ( fat chance in my opinion/ are there folk out there i.e garages that would consider that)? No I feel!

Any thoughts, good people?

35 minutes ago, Shearers said:

I would say get the same battery and program it to the car using whatever crazy outrageous procedure is needed for your model (don't forget to stand on your head when you carry it out!😄)
Having more Ah may mean it takes longer to discharge but if it's not the same as the car knows about (there are usually options in the BCM?) it may get confused.
As is often said on here, not using the car for long periods means that a regular battery charge should be considered?

Leaving battery on a low charge for any length of time can lead to sulphation, dramatically reducing life:
https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-804b-sulfation-and-how-to-prevent-it

Thanks for your thoughts and humour. Sorry, what does BCM mean?

18 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

In all honesty, a bigger battery will only reduce the drop in charge slightly, and it'll take longer to recharge when you do drive it, so I'm not sure that's the best idea for low use.

Other members have fitted a diesel battery which is a bit bigger.  I'm sure they'll be along to advise soon.

If you're not aware, the fob can be placed over the end of the keyblade to give you more leverage when in the barrel.  It also turns to the left to unlock which is unintuitive.

When you do get in, the bonnet release is on the passenger side, but you won't be able to open the passenger door.  The handbook says you should dismantle the bonnet lever, but many of us find we can just pull it far enough without opening the passenger door.

Thanks for your wise thoughts. By the way when I went to Fords this morning, the lady showed me how to remove the key blade and to use the end of the fob to open it. I also got the battery replaced on the spare . The guy did what was asked and I paid for a new battery. He did say it wasn't probably necessary but I thought why not

1 hour ago, fiesta boy said:

Thanks for your thoughts and humour. Sorry, what does BCM mean?

Body Control Module - it deals with a lot of lighting, charging, wipers and is where the battery type is stored etc etc (AFAIK)

3 hours ago, Shearers said:

Body Control Module - it deals with a lot of lighting, charging, wipers and is where the battery type is stored etc etc (AFAIK)

thanks for that

On 1/15/2025 at 10:54 PM, fiesta boy said:

thanks for that

I have an update on my issue/s. After finally getting the car started that night, I had no trouble starting the car the next 2 nights. Finally, yesterday I went to Halfords and they reported that my battery status was Good. So, I have no idea why I had problems with the car the first time I reported it. I am just thankful that the car's fine at the mo ; I will start to use the car more often now.

also try charge it overnight once a month.

On 1/18/2025 at 8:55 PM, froggy8 said:

also try charge it overnight once a month.

Thank you