Hello everyone,
My name is Tim and I'm a new member. I have watched this forum for some time and got interested in joining when i saw a post that hit home. My 2013 f150 xlt 5.0 is having a battery drain overnight randomly. I have 20,000 miles on it and it started at about the time it had 5-6,000 on it. I am a repair shop owner and worked at Ford and GM dealerships as a master tech for over 15 yrs. before starting my own shop. I cannot find the answer and now have at least 3 customers with these trucks experiencing the same issue. Ford has a problem! Anybody out there that has had one fixed Definitely? Mine is due back at dealership the 2nd. There are currently no bulletins addressing this issue and no known fixes that ive seen. I know its a longshot but i have to try. Thanks guys and if anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

 

If you review the NUMEROUS other post/threads regarding the problem you'll find that there is no one single soltuion. Some are self-inflicted ...

• leaving keys in the ignition.
• leaving devices/accessories plugged-into outlets.
• improper charging/jumping the battery.
• leaving the lights on.
  etc., etc., etc..

Others ...

• shift lever micro-switch not registering that it's in P(ark).
• faulting BMS modules.
• door switches not registering that the door is -closed-
  etc., etc., etc..

The more conveniences added, efficiencies made, numerous inter-active computer components (and associated networks), the more complicated the solution.

Me ... I figure it's a hardware, software issue and debugging is going to take some time and effort. BTW ... Casual sideline observation is that it cropped-up beginning in the 2012 model year.
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Thanks Joe for the quick reply.
Ive taken the key out, unhooked the bluetooth device(phone) left it by itself, had others drive it, and gotten up in the night to see if something was powering up. Nothing prevalent. After years of doing this and seeing a common problem in several of the same models and in a given amount of model years, I have usually been able to trace the issue back to a faulty part, soft or hardware update or a change in the component side of manufacturing that sometimes even the engineers were not made aware of or even component vendors supplying a given part that purchasing opted for but neglected to tell engineering about. I was also an engineer tech for maytag corp. for 10 yrs. and we also had these same issues with white goods. Not sure what it is but Ford needs to address it and get a fix in motion or I can see another "ignition switch recall" coming such as the one G.M. has going on right now. Thanks
Smith5

 

Welcome to the forum, Tim. Get in touch with me via PM and I'll escalate this to your regional customer service manager. Be sure to include your full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, current mileage, and servicing dealership.

Crystal

 

Thanks Crystal,
You may contact me at 309-221-7820 anytime. I'll give you the pertinent info then and I am pretty sure I know the servicing dealer for my area and I wont let them touch my vehicles.
Smith5

 

The battery drain issue reared its head again.
The other night a guy i work with at the shop called me and said as he was leaving he noticed all my dash was lit up. He checked and saw there were no keys in it and the lights were off. I went out and put the key in the ignition and the lights stayed on until I cycled it and took the key out. On these trucks when you turn them off the dash stays lit up for a period of time. When you pull the key out the dash backlights stay lit but the actual gauge needles and gauge lights go out and the backlights dim slightly. For some reason the dashlights, gauge lights and needles are powering back up as if the key was in the ignition. Dont know why but I am starting to suspect a faulty ignition switch that although it will let the key be removed is not powering down completely and at times comes on enough to power up cluster and lighting. More good info for the dealership Monday afternoon. Maybe this will help the others out there and give them something to look for.
Smith5

 

Others have reported that replacing the ignition switch resolved the issue as well.

Also ... Another resolved issue that fixed the problem ...

• central timer module (component of BMS) turning on by itself intermittently.

*Ya ... I've begun maintaining a list.
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Hi smith5,

I can only communicate with folks via PM, but if you'd prefer to speak with someone about this, you can contact our Customer Relationship Center at 1-800-392-3673. Additionally, I recommend editing your public post to remove your private information.

Crystal

 

Joe,
Well add BCM update, shift interlock switch, and ignition lock cylinder and switch replacement as no fixes! Had truck back 10 days and it did it again last night after work. Several G.M. and Dodge boys taking pics. and laughing and offering me a jump. I contacted several of my tech buddies at ford and they said good luck. Just got off the phone with ford service and the regional manager is going to contact me. They also gave me another case number, whoooo hoooo! Wish me luck.
Smith5

 

I know it's been a while but did this get resolved? I have just started researching as I encountered this about a week and a half ago. I have the cluster lights staying on intermittently which I was able to gauged yesterday, ~2.5 amps. I'm afraid I may be over a barrel and have to take this one on the chin since I just turned 36k a few days ago. Seems the cluster light thing is caused by a switch on the shifter. I have an FX4 so it's the console shifter. Is the switch a replaceable component or does it require the entire shifter to be replaced? I am highly concerned as I have zero interest in having my truck sit in a shop for a week to have a battery replaced that is not the root cause and potentially on my dime.