I got an AGM from Sams (Duracell Platinum, re-badge Deka). Follow the instructions on those 2 pages, namely letting it relearn the idle strategy and leaving it parked overnight for 8+ hours & it'll be fine.

 

From a Ford GSB (General Service Bulletin):

Battery Replacement

• If the vehicle battery is replaced, it is very important to perform the BMS Reset using a diagnostic scan tool.
• If the battery monitoring system reset is not carried out, it holds the old battery parameters and time in service counter in memory and it tells the system the battery is in an aged state and may limit the Electrical Energy Management system functions

NOTE: DO NOT reset the battery monitoring system using the diagnostic scan tool if the battery is not being replaced. This reset is reserved for new battery installation. Resetting the battery monitoring system will clear the learned battery data, the battery time in service, and will affect the aging algorithm parameters, which have been learned since the installation of the battery.

 

Are a lot of you guys changing to a different type of battery when replacing?
Or are most of you just replacing with the exact same?

I plan on replacing mine with the exact same as I don't really understand the benifit from a different battery? I still am on my OE battery from 2015... I use a trickle charger from time to time though to keep it topped off. I hope that prolongs the life a year or two more than average.

 

Could you please tell me where these Ford General Service Bulletins are located?

Googling that term brings up zero hits, which I find interesting.

https://www.google.com/search?ei=nzF...bFIB3sQ4dUDCAo

 

Pretty interesting thread(s).

The battery in my truck has been replaced by previous owner. It is a parts store battery, not Motorcraft.
Carfax states the vehicle was routinely serviced by the selling dealership, no mention of battery having been replaced, nor would Ford put in a generic battery (right?).

I wonder if the P/O went to Ford (or independent mechanic) to have the system reset.
The battery was not 'new' looking when I bought the truck so I should assume it's been in the vehicle for a while, not a new install before they traded.

 

---- vs. the information in the driver's manual about leaving the truck locked overnight to reset ----

Perhaps a Ford service rep. or master technician could set us straight "once and for all"? If there is a need for some reset at the dealer's, is it quick and cheap?

Thanks.

 

There are several threads discussing the BMS. They should show up if you do a search.

Relearning SOC (State of Charge) is not the same as resetting the BMS. If you want to change your battery and not reset the BMS, your truck won't blow up or instantly stop working. Without a reset the BMS may not completely charge your new battery because it thinks it is an older one with reduced capacity. If you change battery types it just might not use the most efficient and best charging cycle for that type of battery. Will it effect battery performance? Maybe. Will it effect battery life? Maybe.

Check out the other threads. There is lots of good info.

 

The reset is so easy Idk why people spend tens of thousands of dollars on a truck but won't fork over the few bucks required for a USB adapter to flash modules with forscan. Iirc there's an easy to see button without any hex adventures in Forscan to do the bms reset. The hex adventuring is light duty and I just changed one character iirc to make it aware of agm.

 

Just to add on 52merc's post which is spot on by the way, resetting the BMS is not required only highly suggested. It will affect life if not reset. Additionally, replacing a battery with different characteristics as chosen in the BMS, same issue affecting life. In the grand scheme of things, there are more significant factors that likely will affect life (operating temp; driving habits; connecting loads directly to battery neg post, bypassing the BMS; and the biggest factor - mfger defects).

As the Ford Engineer who helped release the above GSB along with FCSD and responsible for battery release, my following suggestions if vehicle is out of warranty:

1. Do not replace an OEM AGM battery with an SLI or wet cell. Simply changing the BMS does not correct the design assumptions for vehicle operation. Going from SLI to AGM is okay along with a new battery selection in the BMS, but might be spending more money than required.
2. Get the best bang/warranty coverage available for the new battery.
3. Put a proper charger on your battery if certain conditions happen (short drive cycles, non-functioning start/stop, slow cranking under normal conditions).

I will either be replacing my battery this spring or next coming up to 4 years in service. My start/stop is still functioning but I have great drive cycles, 42 mile commute each way. I will weigh item #2 and might go with a different battery. Just look for Ford dealer coupons for a battery replacement might help.

 

Is the best scenario then:

Go to parts store for new battery
Connect to battery charger until fully charged
Install battery
Take to Ford service to have BMS reset
Enjoy the next several years of trouble-free battery life