Battery issue after vehicle sat in shop for so long

[Sea Warrior]

Back in early February of this year, my car was taken in to the dealership where it took a long time for parts to arrive to the dealer for an issue not related to the battery. I'm guessing the long wait for parts was related to the corona virus. But whatever it was, the delay caused the vehicle to sit for two months in the shop.

 

The day I picked it up, I saw a message in the entertainment screen that said "System Off to Save Battery" before I even started up the engine.  I didn't give it much attention at that time. The message went away after the engine was running  All I wanted was my car back after two months of being out there.  I reasoned to myself the message might have had something to do with a setting they changed that was hidden to most people that can "save" battery life and that I wasn't even aware existed. I know no such setting exists, but I wasn't sure at the time.   I only saw the message appear one more time again within the next week. I never saw this message as long as I've owned it.

 

On the 10th day (on the weekend) after picking up the vehicle, I tried starting the car 24 hrs after the last time I drove it.  The battery was unable to turn over the engine and the message appeared again. The dealership came out and started the vehicle and I told them I'd call on Monday to schedule to take it back in and have the battery and whatever else needs to be checked.

 

I know the car's production date and its never had the original battery replaced. Its 3 years 10 months old.

 I'm guessing the dealership could have let the battery life drain after the car sat 60 days in a shop assuming if no one ever disconnected the battery.  

 I told the person who came out from the dealership that maybe the mechanic never disconnected the battery all this time. He said that wouldn't have caused a drained battery

 

What if they test the battery on Monday and say I need a new one ?  A battery should last more than 3 yrs 10 mos. right?            

Edited April 17, 2021 by Sea Warrior
grammar syntax

[scn101]

When I purchased my MKZh new it needed a new battery as it sat on the lot so long that it destroyed the original battery.  They put in a new Motorcraft battery.  Typically hybrids are easy on the 12V battery as they only need the battery to power the electronics on the vehicle and do not need to crank the engine, so they tend to last a long time, yet that battery lasted just over a year!  Recently I was having weird issues with the vehicle and the dealership said it was the battery.  They replaced it under warranty and sure enough, the issues were gone.  On that note, I had a 2014 Fusion Hybrid that still had its original battery six years after I bought it new when I traded it for the MKZh.  So either the quality of Motorcraft batteries has slipped considerably or I was just unlikely.  Either way, your battery needing replacement at 46 months doesn't seem that odd and luckily a cheap fix.

[Sea Warrior]

 

the manual mentions that if the car is not going to be ran for what I think it said 30 days ? ? that you're supposed to disconnect the battery . . . and if they forgot about it, then the dealership's negligence could have contributed to the draining.

It would be pretty coincidental assuming they dis-connected the battery all that time, but the battery was on its last leg before I took it in even though there was no sign of the battery being almost dead.  

I'm leaning toward believing they forgot, and the FOB was maybe not too far from the car or maybe even sitting inside the car all that time.       

Edited April 18, 2021 by Sea Warrior

[leftoverture]

A car sitting that long most certainly should have the battery disconnected.  Especially if it was sitting outside in below freezing weather. The other possibility is the battery was very drained and you have not driven it enough to fully charge it.  If it were me,  I would either put a battery charger on the battery and make sure it is fully charged,  or I would just put a new battery in myself and call it good.  

 

I got to ask... what part were they waiting on for 2 months?

[Sea Warrior]

After reading more posts, there's a general consensus from people weighing in that 3-4 years is typical for Motorcraft batteries. I have no way of knowing whether or not they disconnected it. I can only make a conjecture based on no warning signs of a low battery ever appearing before it sat for so long.

 

The backordered parts :

Front & Rear right hub assy

Rear passenger side toe link

F/R passenger side rotor

 

 

 

 

Edited April 18, 2021 by Sea Warrior

[Viking]

17 hours ago, scn101 said:

When I purchased my MKZh new it needed a new battery as it sat on the lot so long that it destroyed the original battery.  They put in a new Motorcraft battery.  Typically hybrids are easy on the 12V battery as they only need the battery to power the electronics on the vehicle and do not need to crank the engine, so they tend to last a long time, yet that battery lasted just over a year!  Recently I was having weird issues with the vehicle and the dealership said it was the battery.  They replaced it under warranty and sure enough, the issues were gone.  On that note, I had a 2014 Fusion Hybrid that still had its original battery six years after I bought it new when I traded it for the MKZh.  So either the quality of Motorcraft batteries has slipped considerably or I was just unlikely.  Either way, your battery needing replacement at 46 months doesn't seem that odd and luckily a cheap fix.

One thing I have discovered from buying and owning new Ford vehicles is that the replacement batteries sold by Ford are NOT the same quality as the OEM batteries in the new cars.  I have easily gotten up to six years from OEMs but seldom more than three years from their replacements (which they say are identical, but even looking at them shows they are not)  I really wish I could discover who makes their OEM batteries, because I am really impressed with them.

[bbf2530]

1 hour ago, Viking said:

One thing I have discovered from buying and owning new Ford vehicles is that the replacement batteries sold by Ford are NOT the same quality as the OEM batteries in the new cars.  I have easily gotten up to six years from OEMs but seldom more than three years from their replacements (which they say are identical, but even looking at them shows they are not)  I really wish I could discover who makes their OEM batteries, because I am really impressed with them.

 

H Viking. To my knowledge, Motorcraft batteries are manufactured by Johnson Controls. Johnson Controls manufacturers them to Ford/Motorcraft specifications. That goes for the both the factory installed Motorcraft battery and the Motorcraft replacements.  They are the same battery.

 

Ironically, I have seen more complaints that are the opposite of yours. I've seen more people complain that they feel the factory installed Motorcraft battery is inferior, and state that the Motorcraft OEM replacements are superior batteries. So I guess it all comes down to personal experience and perspective.

 

And just to avoid confusion, both the factory installed Motorcraft battery and the Motorcraft replacement batteries are "OEM". They are all made by the same manufacturer, on the same assembly lines, to the same specifications.

 

Good luck.

Edited April 18, 2021 by bbf2530

[17MKZ3.0TT]

I've heard the same as bbf regarding the dealer-sold replacements being the same as the ones installed during the build. Sadly, that doesn't mean much to me, as (luckily) my 3~3½ year old OEM battery died from a bad cell at around 18k miles. Lest anyone think I don't know how to maintain lead-acid batteries, I went to classes at C&D batteries regarding forklift batteries back in the 80's and with multiple cars and motorcycles I own several 1.2A Tenders and a couple of 4A max with high freq massaging. Still got the original AC Delco in my 2007 Solstice GXP, though I'll finally replace it this year since it won't hold 13.6v for more than a day or two, thinks it should get a blue ribbon for 13.2 ?

[Zondedo]

Maintaining a charge and any battery is key to its longevity.  Many people don’t get that.  I run Optima‘s (also made by Johnson Controls) in most of my other vehicles and a few of those are going on eight years with no issues.  Battery tenders are key.  

Edited April 19, 2021 by Zondedo

[Sea Warrior]

Thanks Zondedo. I heard about Optima's red tops. I looked at them on Amazon and Auto Zone but they don't fit.

Do you happen to remember a similar brand that might fit a \ MKZ ? 

 

{EDIT} Have you heard of a brand called Full River?  I only asked because I never heard of them.

They have a series called Full Throttle which is an AGM. The number FT85094R supposedly will fit my Reserve.

 

 

 

Edited April 19, 2021 by Sea Warrior

[Zondedo]

Although I do not have any first-hand experience, Odyssey AGM Batteries have a very good reputation.  Here is a link.  It looks like they sell a model that fits our MKZ’s.

 

https://www.odysseybattery.com/battery-search/?vehicleType=CAR&Year=2019&Make=Lincoln&Model=MKZ&Engine=2.0+Liters+122+CID+L4&Variation=Gas

 

 

[Sea Warrior]

So I had the car taken in to the dealership to have the scheduled battery test.  Someone comes up to me while I'm waiting and said, we replaced the battery. I said, you did what? What did you replace it with?

 

The guy escorted me to the back where the vehicle was and then started heading away from me like I had the bubonic plague. I said to him as he was storming away, Excuse me, would you mind providing some information ?...like on the warranty, what the CCA and RC is, and if it isn't too much trouble, the date code? 

 

The last question must've ruffled his feathers and he looked at me like you want to know what?

 

One pretty cheap $134.95 94R battery replacement job. I figure as long I get 2 - 1/2 yrs out of it, it's all that matters. Let someone else worry about it in 2023.

[bbf2530]

32 minutes ago, Sea Warrior said:

So I had the car taken in to the dealership to have the scheduled battery test.  Someone comes up to me while I'm waiting and said, we replaced the battery. I said, you did what? What did you replace it with?

 

The guy escorted me to the back where the vehicle was and then started heading away from me like I had the bubonic plague. I said to him as he was storming away, Excuse me, would you mind providing some information ?...like on the warranty, what the CCA and RC is, and if it isn't too much trouble, the date code? 

 

The last question must've ruffled his feathers and he looked at me like you want to know what?

 

One pretty cheap $134.95 94R battery replacement job. I figure as long I get 2 - 1/2 yrs out of it, it's all that matters. Let someone else worry about it in 2023.

 

Hi Sea Warrior. While that Dealer rep certainly could have been more helpful, I will try to answer what questions I can, as best as I can.

 

Assuming we are discussing a Lincoln or Ford Dealer, the battery would be replaced with the same spec/model battery as was in it from the factory, or the current warranty replacement equivalent.

 

Concerning warranty: Any battery replaced under the New Vehicle Warranty will be covered for the remainder of that new vehicle warranty.

 

Only retail purchased Motorcraft batteries have a regular battery warranty, and that retail warranty will vary according to battery model.

 

Hope that is not too confusing. Good luck.

Edited April 20, 2021 by bbf2530

[fusionff]

I had my battery replaced last week while it was at the dealer for a few minor issues, they kinda just put a new battery in for me.  It was 3 years and one month old.  I didn't grill them on specs, just waited for my car at home and haven't even check it for myself yet.  You went in for a battery test, and got a new battery, why get all upset over it?

[17MKZ3.0TT]

8 hours ago, Sea Warrior said:

So I had the car taken in to the dealership to have the scheduled battery test.  Someone comes up to me while I'm waiting and said, we replaced the battery. I said, you did what? What did you replace it with?

 

The guy escorted me to the back where the vehicle was and then started heading away from me like I had the bubonic plague. I said to him as he was storming away, Excuse me, would you mind providing some information ?...like on the warranty, what the CCA and RC is, and if it isn't too much trouble, the date code? 

 

The last question must've ruffled his feathers and he looked at me like you want to know what?

 

One pretty cheap $134.95 94R battery replacement job. I figure as long I get 2 - 1/2 yrs out of it, it's all that matters. Let someone else worry about it in 2023.

You don't list what year you have, was this the OEM battery and was the car under warranty? Just wondering why you were charged anything for the new battery. The nearest Lincoln dealer to me is about 30-40 minutes from me and my local Ford dealer (who serviced my F150 and does the E350 that replaced it) is only 10 minutes away, so I have some of the normal and warranty service done at the Ford dealer. I know the the Lincoln dealer will come get it, but I prefer to not have the lot boy enjoying a 400HP romp on my dime (and tires and premium fuel) so I make the appt. by phone and the Ford dealer will take me home & pick me up if it's something longer than an oil change or in this case, a battery that died again overnight after I charged it. A Ford dealer will cover the battery under the Lincoln warranty terms, and I called the day before and asked them to "have the OEM on hand please, because it's gonna get replaced no matter who ends up paying". 

[Sea Warrior]

 

 

A few on this thread have commented about the Motorcraft replacements. I know this topic is a matter of personal opinion

Some dealerships might install a replacement sitting around on the shelf where mechanics sometimes don't check to see how old it is.

 

We regularly go on trips to a pretty remote area where the closest place is so far away that only Goober and Wally work at the nearest fillin' station outside of Mayberry

The battery warranty covered a free replacement. I'm going to still shop around for another battery though. It'll probably sleep better.      

 

                    

Edited April 21, 2021 by Sea Warrior

[bbf2530]

5 hours ago, Sea Warrior said:

 

 

A few on this thread have commented about the Motorcraft replacements. I know this topic is a matter of personal opinion

Some dealerships might install a replacement sitting around on the shelf where mechanics sometimes don't check to see how old it is.

 

We regularly go on trips to a pretty remote area where the closest place is so far away that only Goober and Wally work at the nearest fillin' station outside of Mayberry

The battery warranty covered a free replacement. I'm going to still shop around for another battery though. It'll probably sleep better.      

 

                    

 

Hi S W. Well, some comments are opinion, some are fact. While personal experiences will vary, which leads to opinions, it is a fact that the factory installed Motorcraft battery and the "OEM" Motorcraft replacements are the exact same battery, same model number, same specs, manufactured on the same line.

 

And the explanation of how New Vehicle Warranty battery replacements are warrantied after installation is also fact.

 

Might "some dealerships" install a replacement that has been sitting around for some time? Yes, it is a possibility. However, it is an extremely low possibility, due to the fact that Dealership Service Departments do not keep a large stock of any parts sitting around as in the old days. Not even batteries. They will keep a few that are often or commonly needed, but not otherwise. That means they go through their stock quickly. Often, the Parts Department will tell a customer they can get the battery later that day or the next day, since it will need to be delivered from a Parts Depot.

And yes, I understand there is also the possibility, however slim, that the Parts Depot battery may be "old". So yes, it is good of you to check, but the the possibility of getting an "old" battery from a Dealership is slim to none.

 

No harm in you asking for the serial number/production date of the battery though. Hope you never get stuck outside of Mayberry (or anywhere else), and good luck. ?

 

 

Edited April 21, 2021 by bbf2530