Small change in startup

***Jackpine*** · #1 Tue, July 28th, 2009, 05:43 PM

OK, I misunderstood. (It's very easy to confuse me). :o

All this strange behavior has to be related to your start system, but, you're the first person I've ever heard comment on it. I wonder if it has to do with the way "run" power is delivered to the OBDII port?

I sure don't have an answer. Perhaps the Mad Doctor will see this and have some thoughts.

- Jack

***Power Hungry*** · #2 Wed, July 29th, 2009, 01:00 AM

Here's my assessment of the situation, and correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm going on the assumption that the programmer will reboot during remote start on the first startup of the day (after sitting overnight) or when leaving work (after sitting all day). The overnight scenario fits my logical thinking better and I'd say that's probably when it happens most often. Again, correct me if I'm wrong.

Reboots have generally occurred on startup after sitting overnight because the battery drains down enough to drop the voltage below 8-9 volts while cranking. The engine will still start but the programmer reboots. After this initial incident, there is no further issue the rest of the day because of the minimal amount of battery drain between starts.

I don't believe the issue is related to the remote start, but more of a coincidence that it happens because you use the remote start the same time every day versus when you do a key start.

In a nutshell though, the battery is most likely starting to fail. Historically, when the programmer reboots overnight or during cranking it is time for a new one. The one in our Expedition started this little display of temper about 20 day before the battery puked. New battery... No more problem. In fact, we've seen a number of threads where the poster had indicated their truck/battery was about 36 to 40 months old when they started seeing this problem, which ironically was how old our battery was when it died.

Hope this helps.

thenewbreed · #3 Fri, July 31st, 2009, 01:23 PM

Great solution. I have noticed my interior lights dim a little when my power steps go up or down. Im still showing good volts on the battery from the Gryphon but I gues thats because its running. I need to get a more powerful one anyway withh all the electrical addons. Any suggestions on a great battery.

Again thanks guys.

***Jackpine*** · #4 Fri, July 31st, 2009, 03:41 PM

Great thread! You're right you are seeing normal voltage with the engine running. That's alternator voltage. If you have a multimeter, measure the voltage at the battery with the engine off after it has "sat" for about 8 hours. If the battery is weak, the voltage will probably be under 12.4 volts.

I keep recommending Costco's 100 month/36 month free replacement batteries. They have higher capacity than the OEM battery and are reasonably priced.

- Jack

thenewbreed · #5 Thu, August 20th, 2009, 04:45 PM

Well the battery was toast I was cranking at about 12 volts if that make sense. No Costco's areound here. I went with the Duralast Gold. I have a lot of aftermarket stuff hooked up so I figured a 3 year free replacement wouldn.t hurt.

***88Racing*** · #6 Thu, August 20th, 2009, 07:45 PM

Glad you got the problem fixed!

Lars

Good job!
Also goes to PH!

***Power Hungry*** · #7 Thu, August 20th, 2009, 10:38 PM

Nice that it's fixed. You'll be much better off now not having the worries.

***88Racing*** · #8 Thu, August 20th, 2009, 11:46 PM

On a general note:
Reading through the many various forums that I do. I have been finding that for some odd reason that batteries are not going the distance of their life rating.
Part of it is due to the electrical components involved in today's newer style computer systems and the tighter tolerances needed to run these components.
The other reason they don't last as long is the constant drain on the system of the electrical components in a vehicle eventhough it is shut off.
Jack(JackandJanet) calculated out that if he parked his truck that in about 3 weeks it would be dead from the drain of the systems in his truck.
So ever since I read this thread I have come upon an idea for my garage queen and maybe to some degree help prolong the life of her battery.
I found myself buying a battery tender this afternoon. So hopefully it will add some life to the battery.
But I came upon this argument in another forum.
Are the "bad" batteries that are removed from the late model vehicles actually out of service?
According to a lot of people they are.
But a hand full actually say they aren't.
Reason being they still have enough life left in them to power early vehicles that don't rely heavily on computer systems. Mainly vehicles with carburated systems. Like the older cars and trucks, lawn equipment, and farm equipment.
So if you happen to have a bad battery there might be another one of your vehicles that may need it and it may last another 3-4 years.

Lars

Just a thought