Nick Halstead Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 So, getting this message randomly. Not persistent and battery voltage is fine. Scenario goes as follows, get in Edge, drive to work, 3 miles into drive, “service charging system now!” Pops up and battery icon stays lit on dash. I start to monitor battery via obd device and all is good. 15 miles down the road “service charging system now!” Pops back up and battery icon on dash goes away. This does not happen every trip and the vehicle has shown zero issues starting or functioning. I’m leaning towards changing the alternator since I am at 104,000 miles. Just wondering if anyone else has run into this or if there is something else I should look into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 I have not heard of this on a Gen 2 yet for any reason other than the battery. I would check cold cranking amps first. i assume no codes are read by a scan tool. the "smart system" will automatically regulate how much it is charging based on what the battery will accept. that could be one problem. are you anywhere in the recent snowstorm/deep freeze areas? that will affect battery ability to accept charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lildisco Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 What about resetting the Battery Management System? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omar302 Posted February 18, 2021 Report Share Posted February 18, 2021 Any DTCs? Use ForScan with a HS/MS-Can capable adapter so you can read codes from all modules, not just the PCM codes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Halstead Posted February 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2021 My obdlinks device is in Pensacola with my son. But Only code with generic reader is P065B Generator - Control circuit range/performance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omar302 Posted February 18, 2021 Report Share Posted February 18, 2021 See the attached from the service manual, in case you haven't already. P065B doesn't look easy to diagnose. Charging System - 2.7L EcoBoost 3.5L Duratec D and T.pdf 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted February 18, 2021 Report Share Posted February 18, 2021 Based on the troubleshooting omar302 posted, it makes sense to check the alternator connections for corrosion. Corrosion or a poor connection can definitely cause an intermittent fault condition. Wouldn't hurt to pull the connector and spray out with some electronics cleaner. (This is my goto): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BXOGNI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_71AA7AFNDSCMFCNT55GJ How's the condition of the alternator belt and tensioner? Reason I asked is, if loose or weak, may not be holding when the system is calling for a heavy load (like cooling fans and the like). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Halstead Posted February 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2021 I have not been able to really look into it. Although the weather is not Tx bad here in NC, it still sucks. This weekend, I plan on taking the front end off to look. Its just so odd, I’m think corrosion of some sort since the vehicle loses zero functions when it happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Halstead Posted February 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2021 oddly enough, today's temps reached the 50s and driving all day and no warning. So this could be a cold weather thing. I even turned the heat on for 5 mins of driving and the warning did not pop up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted February 21, 2021 Report Share Posted February 21, 2021 Since CCAs are determined at 0F, 50F is a good ways away from testing the battery SoC. I would still get a tester for the battery like the Solar BA9 and have at it. the only way to test the alternator is on the bench. you could make do with an amp meter that has bluetooth and measure it actively while driving with different loads on it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Halstead Posted February 26, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 On 2/21/2021 at 7:58 AM, WWWPerfA_ZN0W said: Since CCAs are determined at 0F, 50F is a good ways away from testing the battery SoC. I would still get a tester for the battery like the Solar BA9 and have at it. the only way to test the alternator is on the bench. you could make do with an amp meter that has bluetooth and measure it actively while driving with different loads on it. I got this thing, now how do I use it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handfiler Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 1 hour ago, Nick Halstead said: I got this thing, now how do I use it Solar BA9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 there may be PIDs for Gen 2 to monitor battery charging, as there are for Gen 1.5. If the SoC PID shows less than 100%, you know you have a problem. I do not recall if amp flow is also available as one of the PIDs. I use this basic amp meter w BT to measure on our vehicles. I have to yet to do it while driving/putting different loads on the vehicle, but it works. https://smile.amazon.com/Multimeter-HOLDPEAK-Auto-ranging-Resistance-Capacitance/dp/B08HLPHG8Z/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted February 28, 2021 Report Share Posted February 28, 2021 The BA9 will test your alternator and charging system. If i remember correctly, you connect ot to the battery, set it it alternator mode and start the car. Should be in the instructions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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