New C-Max, 4 days later, dead battery, clock won't set and time doesn't move

[stevedebi]

I'd be curious to know how many of these battery issues are connected with CMax which have sat on the lot for awhile? 

My local dealer at Frontier Ford has had several 2013 cars sitting for a year or more.  Also 2014's and the 2015's will be adding to that eventually.  These battery's can't just sit there and not be used and recharged as needed.  The dealers just aren't keeping them charged until they are sold.  Glad I bought Maxus the day she came off the transport truck.  Never been a problem since September 2012.

I ended up with an Energi, but I first shopped for the C-Max. We went to their big lot where they had about 30 of them lined up. The Salesman tried to start about six of them, and they were all dead. These were 2014 models. Eventually he jumped one with a portable cart so I could drive it. They don't seem to realize that you need to start it up periodically or else trickle charge it.

[Kelleytoons]

That's a good observation -- we know the batteries on these are smaller than "typical" car batteries, and it appears that they may run down more.  So perhaps sales staff (or at least dealership folks who take care of the lot cars) need education on how to maintain them.

[SPL Tech]

It does not matter if they maintain the battery or not, that's not what is causing the problem. The battery ONLY serves to provide power to troggle the relay on the HVB and power the computers for a split second when you are turning the car on. The second the DC/DC converter comes on, all 12V electricity is provided by the DC/DC converter. You could probably even disconnect the 12v battery while the car is on and it would stay on (dont do it though).

The only other time the 12V battery will serve to provide power is if an accessory is drawing 12V power while the car is off, or if the power demands of the car exceed that of the DC/DC converter, which would not happen under normal operation, or when you power down the car and the radio stays on for a second, or the headlights stay on for 20 seconds to help you see, or to power the alarm system.

So the problem is clear: something is putting a drain on the battery while the car is off. It's not a battery issue, it's a paracidic drain issue.

Edited November 26, 2014 by SPL Tech

[Kelleytoons]

Except if the battery does run down on the lot it won't provide power for that split second.  That's all we're talking about here -- clearly leaving any battery unattended for months can bring it to a point where it won't function as intended.

 

As said, there may well be other causes for those cases where the battery is at least charged every week or two.   That doesn't rule out the possibility of a bad or improperly maintained battery to begin with.

[stevedebi]

It does not matter if they maintain the battery or not, that's not what is causing the problem. The battery ONLY serves to provide power to troggle the relay on the HVB and power the computers for a split second when you are turning the car on. The second the DC/DC converter comes on, all 12V electricity is provided by the DC/DC converter. You could probably even disconnect the 12v battery while the car is on and it would stay on (dont do it though).

 

The only other time the 12V battery will serve to provide power is if an accessory is drawing 12V power while the car is off, or if the power demands of the car exceed that of the DC/DC converter, which would not happen under normal operation, or when you power down the car and the radio stays on for a second, or the headlights stay on for 20 seconds to help you see, or to power the alarm system.

 

So the problem is clear: something is putting a drain on the battery while the car is off. It's not a battery issue, it's a paracidic drain issue.

I realize that the 12v doesn't start the car, but something has to keep the door monitors energized (to detect the touch on the opening and closing), and I've noticed that my "door lock" light is on for at least some period after I close and lock the car. I think there is a small trickle energy use in there somewhere, at least on mine which has the keyless start.

Edited November 26, 2014 by stevedebi

[SPL Tech]

Except if the battery does run down on the lot it won't provide power for that split second.  That's all we're talking about here -- clearly leaving any battery unattended for months can bring it to a point where it won't function as intended.

 

As said, there may well be other causes for those cases where the battery is at least charged every week or two.   That doesn't rule out the possibility of a bad or improperly maintained battery to begin with.

 

 

Sure, but you can charge the battery and it will perform as designed after charging. If a bad battery was to blame, then replacing it would fix the problem. However, awho has went through the posts on here knows that replacing the battery does not solve the problem, thus the battery is not to blame regardless if it was maintained or not. Also, leaving the battery in a discharged state for a few months wont damage it to such an extend that it’s no longer usable. You would have to completely discharge it many times over a long period to cause so much damage that it’s no longer usable.

Edited November 26, 2014 by SPL Tech

[Kelleytoons]

 replacing the battery does not solve the problem,

 

You're missing the point -- go back and re-read what I wrote.

 

It doesn't solve THE problem -- and there is no THE problem.  There are all kinds of issues, ranging from bad standard radios (which they fixed pretty quickly) to wiring harnesses (which they addressed around January of this year).  And there are, apparently, still some issues they have yet to figure out.

 

But clearly there are some dead batteries caused by these cars sitting on lots and dealers not understanding these are tiny batteries which won't last the same way as much larger ones do.  Replacing these batteries is the first step in diagnosing ANY battery issue.

Edited November 26, 2014 by Kelleytoons

[bobmaxed]

I have a 2014 SE.  After a recall the center clock was  off.  I noticed that the date and year was wrong.  I tried to reset the clock but I could not. After first correcting the date and year I was able to correct the time.

[jimdel13]

Am considering purchasing a 2013 Cmax hybrid that was "reaquired".  The dealer says that the reason that happened was because of the dead battery issue.  He claims that Ford techs reprogrammed the computer and that it is fine now.  Car comes with 12,000mile 12 month warranty.  Price is great.  I am a one car family and could not deal with lots of back and forth to dealer.  Any suggestions.

Jim

[Kelleytoons]

I'd be skeptical that "reprogramming the computer" would solve the battery issue -- haven't seen anyone mention that as a fix (but perhaps they did and I just didn't see it).

 

OTOH, if the deal is *really* good then you have to weigh the problems versus money saved.  For me I'd take the price of, say, the Blue Book on such a vehicle and then lower it by at least 2-4K (to account for the battery issues that might come up) and if he meets that price you are in good shape.

Edited December 14, 2014 by Kelleytoons

[plus 3 golfer]

Agree with Kelleytoons

 

There's no evidence that Ford has "fixed" the dead battery issue.  Owners (2013 and 2014) are still reporting dead batteries despite Ford's "fixes" including software updates. Owners are still contemplating using their states Lemon Law.  Is the car the SE model?

 

What is the price?  If you can live with perhaps having to jump start the car on occasions (a good jump start battery and jumper cables), then go for it but just remember you were warned. ;)  :)   I'd also have the dealer extend the warranty to 8 yrs / 125 k miles at no charge (Ford's ESP and zero deductible).  Flood Ford offers such over the internet for about $1225 - to give an idea of what the dealer cost might be.

[Katmando]

I found this forum through an internet search, looking for "C-Max clock stopped working after recall service."

I thought I was fortunate that only the clock stopped working, exactly as the first poster described (although the clock under the "leaves" still works.) However, just as reported in the initial post, today I have a dead battery. DEAD. Called the dealer and they say they've never had this happen before.

[Kelleytoons]

Well, it's certainly possible that dealer has never had the problem -- remember, the majority of C-Maxes don't have this issue.

 

Just as clearly, this problem is not unheard of.  Print out several of these threads and take them into your dealer when you have your car serviced so they can see the various solutions.

[13jmperry@gmail.com]

I have had numerous electrical problems after mine had died 3 times. Twice Ford engineers couldn't find the problem. Door locks randomly locked and unlocked a few times, My View being removed, auto up on passenger window had to be reprogrammed more than once, navigation went out and had to be replaced, etc etc.