stop start and battery advice on a Ford

macafee2 · 11th June 2021, 08:06

The stop start function on the wife's focus has stopped working.
Dealer is saying battery has had it.
Looking at the internet it suggests having a dealer fit a new battery as diy can lead to electronic problems, what do you know of this?

Also, if the car starts ok, she drives to the shops, she stops the car does what ever then starts it again and drives to next shop and so on and each time the car starts why does the stop start not stop? Surly there is enough guts in the battery to start the car as the wife is able to start it.

confused wit nagging doubt that battery is duff but it could be due to only knowing about old type of technology

macafee2

COLVERT · 11th June 2021, 08:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by macafee2

The stop start function on the wife's focus has stopped working.
Dealer is saying battery has had it.
Looking at the internet it suggests having a dealer fit a new battery as diy can lead to electronic problems, what do you know of this?

Also, if the car starts ok, she drives to the shops, she stops the car does what ever then starts it again and drives to next shop and so on and each time the car starts why does the stop start not stop? Surely there is enough guts in the battery to start the car as the wife is able to start it.

confused with nagging doubt that battery is duff but it could be due to only knowing about old type of technology

macafee2

Whoever invented that start/stop system needs shooting.--Most ridiculous thing ever.--Overloads the charging system, the battery and the starter motor.--Designed to help dealers make more money out of us poor old drivers.

Personally I think you are better off without it.---Can't see it being the battery if the engine starts OK.

Fusilier · 11th June 2021, 08:22

Have a similar function on one of my cars, and with doing short journeys, it tends to drain the stop/start, but I use a CTEC charger on mine, once a month, charge it for 24 hours, and stop/start starts working again, so would suggest that you maybe invest in a ctec charger, best bit of kit I have purchased, as I also use it on my other cars and keeps batteries in tip top condition. got mine from a local company, but you can get them from a variety of places

https://www.tayna.co.uk/battery-chargers/ctek/mxs5-0/

Stu

tourer · 11th June 2021, 08:44

Why not just disable the stop start function?
There's a button on the dashboard of our Fiesta and BMW.

hogweed · 11th June 2021, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by tourer

Why not just disable the stop start function?

On a lot of these unfortunate cars, it's very difficult... my mechanic is very clued up on such things, but from what I remember it took him many months of research to disable it on an MG6.

I think he had to hack the ECM

itcaptainslow · 11th June 2021, 09:31

The dealer is most probably correct-the various ECU’s involved will have a set number of pre-conditions to engage the stop start function (state of battery charge, coolant temperature, cabin temperature & air conditioning load etc) and if these aren’t met then it won’t function.

Doesn’t take much of a voltage drop of the main starter battery to fall outside of these conditions, but still being able to start the car on a twist of the key.

The advice above of investing in a CTEK or similar battery conditioner is good.

It’s not “made for main dealers to make money”; it’s one of the many things manufacturers are doing to try and drive down the CO2 emissions and thus tax a car attracts.

macafee2 · 11th June 2021, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by itcaptainslow

The dealer is most probably correct-the various ECU’s involved will have a set number of pre-conditions to engage the stop start function (state of battery charge, coolant temperature, cabin temperature & air conditioning load etc) and if these aren’t met then it won’t function.

Doesn’t take much of a voltage drop of the main starter battery to fall outside of these conditions, but still being able to start the car on a twist of the key.

The advice above of investing in a CTEK or similar battery conditioner is good.

It’s not “made for main dealers to make money”; it’s one of the many things manufacturers are doing to try and drive down the CO2 emissions and thus tax a car attracts.

Having spoken to the dealer they have said the same as you, it is parameters set in the ECU that will stop the car shutting down yet still able to start normally.

thank you for the advice

macafee2

AndyN01 · 11th June 2021, 13:14

Do you have access to a Foxwell Battery Analyser?

That should tell you the state of charge and, importantly, the state of health of the battery.

Good luck.

COLVERT · 11th June 2021, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by itcaptainslow

The dealer is most probably correct-the various ECU’s involved will have a set number of pre-conditions to engage the stop start function (state of battery charge, coolant temperature, cabin temperature & air conditioning load etc) and if these aren’t met then it won’t function.

Doesn’t take much of a voltage drop of the main starter battery to fall outside of these conditions, but still being able to start the car on a twist of the key.

The advice above of investing in a CTEK or similar battery conditioner is good.

It’s not “made for main dealers to make money”; it’s one of the many things manufacturers are doing to try and drive down the CO2 emissions and thus tax a car attracts.

Voltage drop you say.
The moment the engine is running there WILL BE 14 volts plus in the cars electrical system.---

Don't tell me that won't enable the system immediately.

CO2 saving you say. Think of that rubbish next time you stop behind a lorry or look up into the sky to a monstrous passenger plane flying by over your head.---

---Zillions of CO2 dropping straight down on top of you and your family, if you have one.---It's a con and it DOES make money for the dealers in replacement spare parts and batteries etc.

You, my man, have successfully been conned.--They've got you, hook line and sinker.-----

Now go stand in the corner and repeat to yourself---I will try not to believe everything I'm told in future without first having a good think about it.

Nobody it going to tell you their system is rubbish, and in addition to buying the car you are going to have to buy a charger cos their invention can't cope on its own.--( see an earlier post. )

itcaptainslow · 11th June 2021, 16:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by macafee2

Having spoken to the dealer they have said the same as you, it is parameters set in the ECU that will stop the car shutting down yet still able to start normally.

thank you for the advice

macafee2

Exactly that-the ECU will look at the state of the battery (and ignore the voltage from the alternator, which will probably be a smart charge one and therefore the voltage from this will be variable anyway) and disable the stop start unless all of the “checklist is ticked.

If it’s a dealer replacement the battery will most probably be correct for the car as they’ll pick the one listed on the EPC but if you source one yourself check it’s the correct Enhanced Cyclic Mat or Absorbent Glass Mat battery for the car-also check it doesn’t need programming in using diagnostic software (quite a few do now, which is an absolute pain!). Most motor factors can source these quite happily now.

Might be worth giving it a go on the aforementioned battery conditioner before replacing though to see if this helps-if the car is subjected to regular short journeys (which it sounds like it is?) this won’t be helping it.

Modern car tech is amazing when it works but an utter pain when it causes issues!

11th June 2021, 08:06	#1
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,912 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	stop start and battery advice on a Ford The stop start function on the wife's focus has stopped working. Dealer is saying battery has had it. Looking at the internet it suggests having a dealer fit a new battery as diy can lead to electronic problems, what do you know of this? Also, if the car starts ok, she drives to the shops, she stops the car does what ever then starts it again and drives to next shop and so on and each time the car starts why does the stop start not stop? Surly there is enough guts in the battery to start the car as the wife is able to start it. confused wit nagging doubt that battery is duff but it could be due to only knowing about old type of technology macafee2

11th June 2021, 08:22	#3
Fusilier Moderator / RS North East MG ZT T 180,MGF Freestyle, Jaguar XKR Convertible and XF Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Newton Aycliffe Posts: 6,397 Thanks: 1,329 Thanked 2,231 Times in 1,309 Posts	Stop Start Have a similar function on one of my cars, and with doing short journeys, it tends to drain the stop/start, but I use a CTEC charger on mine, once a month, charge it for 24 hours, and stop/start starts working again, so would suggest that you maybe invest in a ctec charger, best bit of kit I have purchased, as I also use it on my other cars and keeps batteries in tip top condition. got mine from a local company, but you can get them from a variety of places https://www.tayna.co.uk/battery-chargers/ctek/mxs5-0/ Stu __________________ # Project Gruple http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=213155

11th June 2021, 13:14	#8
AndyN01 This is my second home Toyota RAV4 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Tamworth Posts: 3,070 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,579 Times in 968 Posts	Do you have access to a Foxwell Battery Analyser? That should tell you the state of charge and, importantly, the state of health of the battery. Good luck. __________________ Andy. http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/

11th June 2021, 08:44	#4
tourer Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Tourer CDT Auto. Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Long Eaton Posts: 1,342 Thanks: 30 Thanked 220 Times in 160 Posts	Why not just disable the stop start function? There's a button on the dashboard of our Fiesta and BMW.

11th June 2021, 09:31	#6
itcaptainslow Avid contributor 200Vi & 214 SEi Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Letchworth Posts: 196 Thanks: 36 Thanked 63 Times in 40 Posts	The dealer is most probably correct-the various ECU’s involved will have a set number of pre-conditions to engage the stop start function (state of battery charge, coolant temperature, cabin temperature & air conditioning load etc) and if these aren’t met then it won’t function. Doesn’t take much of a voltage drop of the main starter battery to fall outside of these conditions, but still being able to start the car on a twist of the key. The advice above of investing in a CTEK or similar battery conditioner is good. It’s not “made for main dealers to make money”; it’s one of the many things manufacturers are doing to try and drive down the CO2 emissions and thus tax a car attracts.