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Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2021 9:48 pm
by Topgear
Hi
I have a 2012 PX1. BMS is disabled (checked with forscan), brand new ford alternator, new battery. I have an ultra gauge and on startup I might get ~13.5v while driving for a while, it will then drop to ~12.5v.
Tried unplugging the wire to the shunt on negative terminal as well but still the same.

With the BMS disabled shouldn’t I be getting a constant voltage feed out of the alternator? It’s almost as if the BMS is somehow still controlling the alternator output even though it’s disabled. Is this somehow possible?

Cheers John

Re: Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2021 9:04 am
by CatHerder
I would expect that the alternator still has temperature compensation like a traditional setup. Higher temps = lower voltage, although 12.5 is a touch low. Make sure to measure the voltage at the battery for a true reading.

Re: Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2021 9:41 am
by Topgear
Thank you. Yes I have been confirming with a multimeter across the battery and the ultra gauge reading is slightly lower but follows the same pattern.

Took it for a run this morning and if I start it with headlights on and keep on it will stay above 14v. Headlights off and will start around 14v, drop to 13.5v then after five or so minutes go to around 12.5v. It just seems like it’s behaving as if the BMS is enabled but in Forscan is showing it’s disabled. Is that possible? Could the BCM be bad causing this?

I have noticed the drop in voltages quicker on hot days so maybe that is something to check. Do you know Where the temperature sensor the alternator use's is located? It’s a brand new ford supplied alternator.

Thanks again for the comments.

Re: Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2021 2:20 pm
by RossPat
Not advisable to unplug like that, throws many errors

Re: Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2021 2:52 pm
by CatHerder
Topgear wrote: Sat Nov 13, 2021 9:41 amDo you know Where the temperature sensor the alternator use's is located?
Traditionally its integral to the alternator. Not sure if the Ranger continues to use sensor temps even if BMS is disabled.

If you're seeing consistency with the charge voltage, maybe try the BMS at different SOC% settings and see if the charge voltage tracks with the selected SOC.

Re: Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2021 4:57 pm
by Topgear
Thanks guys.

No my charge voltage is all over the place. That’s why I’m convinced BMS is working even though I’ve disabled it in Forscan.

I don’t think I have the option in Forscan to change SOC% in a PX1?

The alternator only has one wire going into it on the plug, I’m wondering how this one wire signals the alternator output and whether there is some way I might be able to trick it to stay at say 14v ?

Re: Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 2:20 pm
by saeb
It could be plausible that the battery has reached 100% SOC. I the PX1 has any similarities then even if disabled and reaches 100% then it will shut down the alternator.

Re: Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 4:26 pm
by Topgear
It’s possible but it’s been variable for a while, hence new alternator and battery but still same problem. Is it possible to change to ‘dual battery mode’ option in a PX1 or change SOC% with forscan?

Re: Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 4:38 pm
by saeb
Pretty sure you said above you had already disabled.

I have reference to it in the PX1 discussions. https://www.saeb.net/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1213

Re: Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 5:06 pm
by Topgear
Yes I’ve already disabled the sensor.
EAE0F1C6-C350-47A2-9EFC-EC814F7041BF.jpeg
EAE0F1C6-C350-47A2-9EFC-EC814F7041BF.jpeg (1.84 MiB) Viewed 351 times
EAE0F1C6-C350-47A2-9EFC-EC814F7041BF.jpeg
EAE0F1C6-C350-47A2-9EFC-EC814F7041BF.jpeg (1.84 MiB) Viewed 351 times
But you guys mention a ‘dual battery’ mode in the threads and ability to set an SOC%. I can’t seem to find these options anywhere in Forscan so wondering if dual battery mode and SOC% are not options for a PX1?

Re: Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 6:35 pm
by saeb
You will find minimal of anything regarding PX1 vehicles as their electronic system is a totally different architecture.

Anything regarding dual Battery mode is applicable to you in the above image by selecting "without battery monitor sensor". Same same. You are not able to select a %. It's on or off, no inbetween.

Re: Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2022 4:10 pm
by fitter2buy
hi, anyone here can tell me what other to look at that i already did? im getting battery idicaton on dash, put code reader and U1007:00-2F shown, lost communication with battery sensor A, i check the plug of the neg bat shunt it is ok, checked continuity of white wire to bcm ok and the brown/blue wire to fuse ok, alternator still charge to 14.2v sometime 13.8v.
all accessories run all negative to the body or chassi including the second battery negative lead connected to that 200mm neg lead bolted to the body.
im run out of idea other than replacing the negative lead with the sensor.
PX1 2014 Ranger.
need advise ASAP
TIA

Re: Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2022 1:27 pm
by saeb
Probably go with your gut then as you have checked the wiring. Replace the sensor and see if your diagnosis is correct.

Re: Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Thu May 05, 2022 5:12 pm
by Topgear
fitter2buy wrote: Sat Jan 01, 2022 4:10 pm checked continuity of white wire to bcm ok and the brown/blue wire to fuse ok,
Where is this wire in the BCM? I'd like to check my continuity from the battery sensor to the BCM but cannot identify where it enters the BCM as there are a number of white wires.

Re: Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2022 9:16 pm
by saeb
Just noticed I may not have looked this up, did you resolve the issue as yet?

Re: Battery management system disabled alternator voltages

Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:30 pm
by Jakes4x4
Recently had similar issues and also replaced batteries and alternator without resolve.

Found earth strap to engine melted.

Made new one and voila charging 14.5v instead of 13.4v before