2020 F350 6.7 weak start

[way2roll]

I bought my 2020 F350 6.7 new and I've put about 28k on it. I haven't had a single issue with this truck until now. Sometimes the truck sits for a day or so without being used and when that happens it's a "weak" start. It always starts (knock on wood) but the last thing I want is to be on a trip pulling the FW and it doesn't start. There is no code. It has 2 batts and frankly I don't know how to test voltage on a 2 battery setup and voltage isn't always the best indicator anyway. And I do know, if one batt is bad it drags down the other. I've also read that these trucks have had issues with the starters. It's still under warranty and I was told to make an appointment for a diagnostic test. But I trust you guys more than I trust a dealership and thought I'd throw it out there to get your thoughts so they don't brush me off. Also been noticing intermittent hard shifts into 3rd on a slight grade. Again no code, but I have heard there have been issues with these tranny's and intermittent hard shifting. I plan on asking them about it, but again, always worry about an honest opinion from the dealership. They always seem to find stuff when the warranty is over, but funny how they can't find the issues when it's covered.

[blofgren]

Grit dog wrote:
Nice work way2roll. At least it was super simple and no charge, save for the brain cells you killed dealing with a car dealer service dept!

Been there done that! :M

[Grit_dog]

Nice work way2roll. At least it was super simple and no charge, save for the brain cells you killed dealing with a car dealer service dept!

[way2roll]

StirCrazy wrote:

way2roll wrote:
Finally - the dealership replaced both batteries under warranty. The reason "upon inspection found both batteries to be leaking"

Means they never even looked at it for the 2 days they had it earlier in the week.

I would ask for your money back if they charged you anything for thoes two days. I had an issu with my old f150 where it would die right after it started intermittantaly so I took it to ford. they charged me 300 bucks and didnt find anything. I went on the internet and found in 20 min the IAC valve causes this when it gets dirty and how to clean it. 15 min later truck was fixed. went back to ford and went to the dealership manager and explained this all to him and after a couple threats to go to the media and such they refunded my 300.00

They didn't charge me anything so it only cost me my time. They are the only game in town for warranty work, but outside of that they won't ever get any money from me.

[FishOnOne]

blofgren wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:
The Motorcraft batteries that come with the vehicle are typically pretty good, but the ones you purchase from the parts department are junk.

I've noticed that too....why is that?

The battery in my 2012 F150 work truck is original and going strong. And I got 10 years out of the batteries in both of my Ford diesels and the only reason I replaced them was because I was getting worried due to the age of them. But I have noticed the replacement Motorcraft batteries are not as good.

The ones that come from the factory are US made and the ones that come from the parts dept are Mexico made. To be fair the ones made in Mexico maybe a cheaper design made with cheap materials.

[StirCrazy]

way2roll wrote:
Finally - the dealership replaced both batteries under warranty. The reason "upon inspection found both batteries to be leaking"

Means they never even looked at it for the 2 days they had it earlier in the week.

I would ask for your money back if they charged you anything for thoes two days. I had an issu with my old f150 where it would die right after it started intermittantaly so I took it to ford. they charged me 300 bucks and didnt find anything. I went on the internet and found in 20 min the IAC valve causes this when it gets dirty and how to clean it. 15 min later truck was fixed. went back to ford and went to the dealership manager and explained this all to him and after a couple threats to go to the media and such they refunded my 300.00

[blofgren]

way2roll wrote:
Finally - the dealership replaced both batteries under warranty. The reason "upon inspection found both batteries to be leaking"

Means they never even looked at it for the 2 days they had it earlier in the week.

I had a feeling it was a battery problem. Might be time to find a new dealer, though.

[way2roll]

ford truck guy wrote:

way2roll wrote:
Finally - the dealership replaced both batteries under warranty. The reason "upon inspection found both batteries to be leaking"

Means they never even looked at it for the 2 days they had it earlier in the week.

Glad to hear you all whole again ! ! ! ! Will look forward to hear how FAST it started today !

Immediately!

[ford_truck_guy]

way2roll wrote:
Finally - the dealership replaced both batteries under warranty. The reason "upon inspection found both batteries to be leaking"

Means they never even looked at it for the 2 days they had it earlier in the week.

Glad to hear you all whole again ! ! ! ! Will look forward to hear how FAST it started today !

[blofgren]

FishOnOne wrote:
The Motorcraft batteries that come with the vehicle are typically pretty good, but the ones you purchase from the parts department are junk.

I've noticed that too....why is that?

The battery in my 2012 F150 work truck is original and going strong. And I got 10 years out of the batteries in both of my Ford diesels and the only reason I replaced them was because I was getting worried due to the age of them. But I have noticed the replacement Motorcraft batteries are not as good.

[blofgren]

ford truck guy wrote:

way2roll wrote:
Got it back from the dealer and when I started the next morning the start was weaker than it's ever been. It's probably close to not starting at all. Also it's starting to do weird electronic things, like the window going down when I press it to go up and the clock keeps resetting itself to 24 HR. I change it back and the next day it resets. Based on what I've read these are clear signs the batteries are going bad. Having them load tested today at the auto parts store. It's also clear the dealership essentially did nothing. If it's the batteries, can I get them replaced under warranty without the dealership? Do I just bite the bullet and buy better batteries than the motorcraft ones? I'll have to look but I think the batts carry their own warranty but being motorcraft I assume it's through Ford.

IF it were me.. IF the bats came back as BAD after the load test, I would take that truck right over to Ford and have them load test it in front of you.. The issue will be that they will say that bats may not be covered as people can cause harm to them by leaving STUFF on at night.....BUT, It won't hurt to ask / demand....

x2.

[FishOnOne]

The Motorcraft batteries that come with the vehicle are typically pretty good, but the ones you purchase from the parts department are junk.

[way2roll]

Finally - the dealership replaced both batteries under warranty. The reason "upon inspection found both batteries to be leaking"

Means they never even looked at it for the 2 days they had it earlier in the week.

[way2roll]

So took it to the auto parts store up the street. He unhooked one of the batts so each would be isolated when testing the cranking amps. Driver's side was good and had a full 750. Passenger side wouldn't even read, just came back with a code that said "replace battery". He emailed me the results. So I call the dealership. They are happy to look at it today but they said it's not an easy process. Apparently they have to put it on a Ford specific battery machine to try and fully charge it and then test to see if it holds the charge. Said it could take up to 2 hours unless it comes back with a bad battery code quickly. The guy at the auto parts store said I may be ok getting just one battery as I may have caught it in time and the driver's side has the full 750 CA's. Not crazy about the idea but I would bet dollars to donuts that Ford won't replace the one good one.

I did ask the dealership what sort of test they did when I brought it in the other day and they kept it for 2 days. He stammered and said wasn't sure. Translation: they never tested it - or at least they never isolated them. This is why I hate dealing with dealerships. Spend all that money on a truck and can't bother to even try to diagnose an easy thing like a battery. So I have to waste more of my time and take it to get it tested somewhere else and back to the dealership again and wait til it's fixed.

[way2roll]

ford truck guy wrote:

way2roll wrote:
Got it back from the dealer and when I started the next morning the start was weaker than it's ever been. It's probably close to not starting at all. Also it's starting to do weird electronic things, like the window going down when I press it to go up and the clock keeps resetting itself to 24 HR. I change it back and the next day it resets. Based on what I've read these are clear signs the batteries are going bad. Having them load tested today at the auto parts store. It's also clear the dealership essentially did nothing. If it's the batteries, can I get them replaced under warranty without the dealership? Do I just bite the bullet and buy better batteries than the motorcraft ones? I'll have to look but I think the batts carry their own warranty but being motorcraft I assume it's through Ford.

IF it were me.. IF the bats came back as BAD after the load test, I would take that truck right over to Ford and have them load test it in front of you.. The issue will be that they will say that bats may not be covered as people can cause harm to them by leaving STUFF on at night.....BUT, It won't hurt to ask / demand....

That's my plan. They are supposed to be covered for another year and from what I am reading this isn't an uncommon problem.