How to fix Charging System Issues on a Ford F150 

Thankyou so much!!! I have a Ford Mondeo here in the UK. You chaps call it the fusion but its the same car. My steering wheel is on the correct side though. I'm having the same issue. I've taken the car to the dealer and shown them this video. I will update you when hear back. I got it back, turns out it needed a new alternator.

Thanks for finally coming to the conclusion you didn’t know what was wrong

Ive had the same problem and my truck has died on the freeway and streets. We tried jumping it and nothing happens the alarm comes back on. The alarm is identical to yours, I bought a new battery then went to get it diagnosed and they said it was a startup issue so I made an appointment with the dealer to get my alternator looked at and I have a 10 day wait until my appointment. I stumbled onto your video now I can at least point them in the right direction. Thanks for posting.

thanks for this video it helped me fixed my issue on my 2011 --- i was able to easily tap into first wire on the alt trace the same color wire to the battery junction box and spliced it into same wire / after the fuse. my issue was similar having large voltage spikes beyond 18v causing my pcm to trip. got lucky that i was an easy fix but to charge this much for single wire issue is crazy.

Wow! I'm speechless. I got this same message this morning (brand new battery) so some Googling brought me here. I will check connections and I'm not sure if the same wire is acting up on mine, but that SUCKS for the dealership to charge you so much for such a Mickey Mouse fix. I'm sorry that happened to you and thankful you posted this video.

Thanks for the video. I'm having the same issue and your helpful video saved me $100's!

Great video. Its giving lots of value to viewers. Mine started happening 2 days ago and a slight wisltle sound when de acceleration and then gone. Then back today and all lights and abs power and wippers and heat and navigation power going off and then just all shut off. But I was able to keep driving all the way home with all power shut off. Engine system check was on the screen. That went off too. So I may look at the harness that's tied to the battery to the fuse box in the front opening hood. Fuse #27 may be the one to replace . If it's brurned the they have an upgraded harness and fuse for that. I will check tomorrow and see what's happening. Always electrical first from issues nowadays.

Thank you for sharing!!! My f150 started doing this yesterday.

Wow! Thank you for the video. I had a similar issue pertaining to wiring in my 2011 F150. I was attempting to use the cigarette lighter to gain power for an inverter. Just a small one and it was brand new. I needed to test a lamp Anna pun plugging the lamp into the inverter, the unit stopped working including the cigarette lighter, the entire Entertainment System and everything else within the center dash. I ran every single fuse to that truck testing everything I possibly could using a voltmeter and a test light . I found a couple of fuses that were burned and I tried the replacing those, but it did no good whatsoever. The fuses were not even related to the problem. After months of dealing with it and refusing to bring it into the dealer for that purpose because I was so unhappy with the lack of service I had received from the same dealership on another issue and a recall as well. Finally I broke down and brought it to the dealership and it so happens I heard a technician leaving for the day because there wasn't enough work. However they needed to schedule my appointment get this an appointment to be scheduled two weeks out because they were too busy. Now remember that technician that was leaving for the day because there wasn't enough work and I was only going to be one technician left in the building but they couldn't do anything about this for 2 weeks that just proved my point about why I was unhappy with them before. Nevertheless I digress it turns out that it was simply a wire Zach stop working at the point of harness. Obviously because I've heard a couple of other stories where wires were going bad at the harness point, Ford seems to continue to have an electrical engineering problem. I went through hiring someone to replace the radio that I thought was bad with a touch screen. I had already driven two and a half hours away to purchase another radio that was exactly the same as the one that was in the truck originally that I thought had burned. I felt that way because I had already tested all the fuses and spot check wires but I never tested the harnesses . So in essence it turns out the stock radio was never the problem, again, it was a wire I don't know if the wire burned inside of the harness or what happened but what's really strange is I decided to put back a stock radio that I had purchased elsewhere when I thought it was the radio that originally went out. So here it is a year later and I decided to put the stock model radio that I had purchased elsewhere and remove the touch screen because I could not seem to get the adapter to work with the steering wheel, the interface. Now remember that radio as well as the original stock radio I removed thinking they're just must have been a problem with the two radios. I pulled out the touch screen and replace it with the second stock radio and after checking all my connections carefully, the radio, the entire entertainment system began to work perfectly. So at this point I didn't even have to use the bypass wire that we installed when we determined it was the original wire going into the harness. But there was definitely a connection issue streaming from the harness. I'm finding more wiring issues why are either a sorter fail or a harness fail pause something to stop working thanks again for the video and if anyone takes the time to read this after viewing the video, I hope that it helps. I know once I determined it just had to be the radio that was gone after checking all the electrical that I could possibly think of with the exception of the harnesses being correctly plugged I wish I would have known about the potential of a harness, r a wire that could have caused this entire issue

Having same issue. Thank you! They should recall this whole wiring harness!

im having the exact same issue. Hope I can find it. Thanks for your video!!

Was very helpful to me, very happy 😊😊😊 I just run a wire from the alternator connector to connector by fuse and it run perfect 👍,God bless you man!!

Thanks for the tip as I'm looking at a 2017 F150 at an auction and it's go the exact issue but well worth buying cause it's starting at $5.00 with no reserve price!

Thanks for the video! I think they should have paid for it but I cannot say I'm surprised. I had the charging system error message this morning but since then I have not seen it again in the truck is driving fine 🤷

Thank you for sharing, this is happening now for my boyfriend!!

Bravo Bud - thanks for this detailed video - My Opinion about FORD gets worse and worse and worse - as the days go by.. IMO they build crap- - slapped together to barely meet their exaggerated marketing statements -! Mine doing this also at 118k - (among many other things!) Going back to Nissan!

My fusion is having same issue. First all the warning lights. (Hill assist, abs and parking aids) then today the check charging system now. Car shut down and won’t start again

This error can also happen after washing/rinsing engine bay due to water ingress at insufficiently protected electrical connections/connectors.

This video saved me tons of money. Thank you for posting!

Lol the dog got mad at you. 😂 thank you for the knowledge though!

What wires did they connect off the alternator

Thanks. Same year same truck just started doing this other day. While driving it going 65 mph everything just shut down. In the morning, truck started but nothing electrically was operational for about 30 seconds

Look at the wire of (the Short circuit) ,,, and connect it at the battery very well ,, Some mechanics don't notice that 👍

Same problem with my 2011 f150. A auto dealership maintenance said that I needed a new alternator, they were wrong. I paid another mechanic to install a new alternator. Found out there was nothing wrong with the old one. Yet come to find out the alternator is overcharging the battery. Then Found out that there is an open circuit on a wire running from the alternator to the fuse block. The dealership wanted to charge me $1276.41 to fix the problem. I fixed it for $48.11 and two hours of working off and on the truck.

Bro thanks so much for sharing I hope you're making money with RU-vid for replace the money you spend.

My truck just did this yesterday. Said it was a battery. Paid $250 and this morning the same thing. I bet this will fix the issue.

Very informative. thanks.

Thank you so much same problem I've had for a year now on my mustang two batteries and four alternators

2018 KR just started doing this. Radio completely did I have to option to play anything.

I have tried every tried in the book to get the "system off to save battery " ever since I replaced my battery in my 2016 f150 xlt 5.0 litre. It starts ok but even after a highway drive when I shut off the vehicle the system shuts off immediately. Very annoying 😒. I've watched every RU-vid video on the subject and nothing works. My problem was finally fixed when my mechanic said that even though my battery was supposed to "fit" my truck when I bought it- it was a little small. My 2 year old battery was 9.5 inches long with 660 CCA and when he put one that was 11 inches long and has 700 CCA my issue was GONE! Now I can listen to the radio without starting the engine. 😀

My 2020 F150 just started doing this while driving home at 1 am. Had to leave it on side of the road and will be going tomorrow morning for it. What do you recommend in order to fix it? Take it to dealer? Or it’s something I can do at home?

Did they wire all three into that one wire?

Wat we’re the symptoms wrn having that code

2016 Battery went dead... Clicking when I tried starting it. Charging system dummy light kept on showing up. Had it jumped. Has started every since but still don't know if batter is going bad..

Good vid, have a similar issue

Interesting. Did that type fix on a fire truck once. Everyone said : replace the harness. Warranty is 3yr 30,000 miles I think good luck. They only recall if it's a life safety thing. Otherwise it's a TSB.

a mechanic on another video said that the charging voltage should not be above 14.6 and that if it's at 15 then it's alternator that's the issue. Or alternator related.... some vehicles had an inline alternator fuse. etc

Dear "Everything is broken", Thank you for sharing your expensive knowledge for what should have been an easy fix. I have the same exact error coming up. Is there any particular part number for that one wire that Ford ran after the Resistivity problem occurred? Intense appreciation.-Paul D. Dodson

Having the same issue on a super duty with dual alternators. Also, the dealer is booked way into the future to a look at this. My truck does run and I can drive it, I have not seen it stop on me.

My poor truck 🤣 luckily she is fixed 💜

Thanks for the info,,, I’d still say that’s a poor fix,, I usually dig Thu the oem wiring and fix it that way

We just had a new battery put in my sons 2013 3.5L King Ranch and the battery light is still on even after you reset it. I told him it's probably the alternator. His battery tested bad but now I'm wondering if it was still good and was just not getting recharged

Do you know what gauge wire they ran? My 2017 is having the same sort of issue and I'd like to try this repair. Thanks!!!

thanks bro! fixed my issue!

Two questions. 1. Do you know what gauge wire was used? 2. Where did they splice/jump from the alternator connection side?

Same here and Ford suggested replacing alternator which I did and problem persists. Should be a recall.

Newer vehicles it is very important to reset battery adaptations and register new battery. It's not like the old days remove, install and go. It will work for awhile but will start to overcharge your battery because it still thinks it's charging the dying battery. Parts houses tell you this but most people blow it off.

Geez... I hate the dealership does stuff. My dealership would have covered this. Ford needs to do better. They have a great product but their services has a lot to be desired.

Having the same issue in a 2015 Lincoln MKZ

Have a 2011 f150 eco boost all normal when start all lights and window switch are off,turn off machine and on again then the lights go on and off and battery sign shows, then all lights are off. Any suggestions?

It must be a flu I took my 2017 fusion to the dealership for a transmission oil change then right after leave the dealership that code came on mines. But difference with mine is that it comes and go

15V means the alternator is working the voltage will go up a couple of volts when the engine is on

I'm having same problem.. My battery was fine but it kept dying overnight.. So I checked alternator and was charging fine. So there is something on in the truck that's draining my battery overnight. So I disconnected the negative terminal for overnight and reconnected the negative terminal in the morning and was fine and started up.. So I'm still trying to find out what is on in the truck that's draining the battery overnight. Will update when I solve the problem.

Got a 2018, used F150, doing the same thing- ding a lings , then it goes off, I just keep trucking, does not affect my tho , OReily guy told me to clean the terminals , what do you think???

Dealerships should be giving a deal to people not ripping people off and why wasnt that covered under warranty?

Your not the only one my truck doing the same 3 month oit the dealer

I turned the key to start and it flashed that message for 2 seconds and hesitated to crank. Started right up and the message went away. Battery load test good, reading bad voltage regulator 🤦‍♂️

Those are a PITA to find. If it was easy anybody could do it. Finding a wire broken INSIDE the insulation is difficult Had the same thing happen to my tail lights. Just run a new wire. He could have dressed it up much nicer but do you want to pay him shop labor rates to do that?

Ford Smart Charge system .. check comm conductor

Wow, that dealer straight up did a hack job on that thing lol.

Where was the other end of The wire

Did you just need a BMS reset?

My 2016 F150 had the same issue, a issue ford needs to address but will not acknowledge its a problem. I also added a wire outside the OEM wiring harness.

Alternator is probably done, and it might have killed the battery from going to 16-17 volts.

I believe it shouldn't charge no higher than 14.4v no lower than 13.6

I need to see where the jumper/bypass cable goes at the alternator

Poor craftsmanship. Period. Should be covered.

Mine was the PCM…alternator was just fine…had to replace the PCM

My 2021 Ford F-150 is doing the same issue. I have 26000 miles

thanks for sharing, did this fix last?

my ford edge 2012 is getting this is its odd 25 codes are popping up but my batt and alt or fine

My 2013 Ford Fusion has that same code P0625 and blank screen

I have a similar problem and it pisses me off because I was about to replace the alternator now I'm gonna take it to a mechanic and tell them to find the wire

You have a bad voltage regulator. Possibly a blown diode.

Thanks for sharing mine just started doing it yesterday I replaced both alternator and battery and battery light is still on maybe this will work if not it might be my body control module

Thank You these damn shiesty corporations

15V is to high. It should sit between 13.5 and 14.5. 15V will fry the battery and systems in the truck.

If the truck is shutting itself off, it might be a safety feature. Probably a failsafe feature.

I have the same problem and I can't fix it

NO NO NO NO NO you take it back to the dealer and tell them that is unacceptable for $700. No way man noooo way

Can't believe that the dealer did such a sloppy job. The bad wiring harness should have been replaced, not jury-rigged.

I wish I seen this video I bought a battery and had to pay a tow truck so far ive spent $1000 alternator gets here tomorrow

Trust me

Your air filter box is unlatched.

My 2023 Transit started doing this after 250 miles 😑

2 wires are pcm 1 is power in from fuse box.

you should be happy that they didn't put in a alternator too and make you pay for that... they sound honest to me..

1:08 1:32 1:48 5:09 5:44 5:46

Throttle body

What a bad repair from the dealership for 600 buck!

He basically jerryrigged the truck.

They lie they don’t do all that alll they did find the short

This video helped me from a no start condition in a parking lot. F150's 2009 - 2014 replace fuse to get by and eventually relocate it for anyone else having similar issue! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-iPXRWcnbi-U.html

probably took them 20 mins to an hour... crooks!

I dont understand why ford always messes things up there 2003 cars and truck where good with out all that technology crap.i hate newer cats guess they don't understand what's not broken dont fix it

Just not at all helpful.

I’m so unbelievably irritated that this tiny little bullshit wire, makes your whole truck throw all of these errors, FOR NO REASON I MIGHT ADD, make you spend $500 on a brand New alternator. Waste, then find out it’s this stupid shit. This is the reason why my next truck is gonna be a dodge.

You keep saying you don't know what is wrong; i.e. you don't know what you are doing so why are you making this video? Leave the education to the professionals.

i'm going to that same problem, and my truck has the same mileage is f#king Ford.

All you had to do was to take the positive end off the battery while running and if it shuts off its the alternator.The regulator will charge and then stop charging.You aren’t very mechanical incline