Battery monitoring system reset

[NZ XR6]

Originally Posted by rondeo

No experience with these but this has the MSCAN switch.

http://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/s...rd-obd-scanner

When Forscan on PC starts it asks if the adapter has a switch.
My wired elm327 adapter has only HSCAN, my OBDLinkMX has both and is permanently plugged in, has low current standby,

I'd say it has this chip:

https://www.scantool.net/stn1170/

Sounds good but I'm a bit wary after Cobrin's post. Anyone bought an adapter from this website?

EDIT: A quick search found some interesting feedback. I might keep looking ...

[NZ XR6]

Hmm, it appears most of the negative feedback about this website relates to his TOAD software. The adapter could be OK, although a little expensive.

He's an expert at the BS though.

[rondeo]

DIY instructions here in case you haven't seen:

http://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4

My adapter was $15, works fine. Don't need a switch for the important stuff like PCM, TCM, fault codes etc.

[NZ XR6]

Could you post a link for your adapter thanks? I assume that you need the MSCAN bus for BMS reset, etc.

Sent from my SM-G9208 using Tapatalk

[rondeo]

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

Could you post a link for your adapter thanks? I assume that you need the MSCAN bus for BMS reset, etc.

Sent from my SM-G9208 using Tapatalk

It was a few years ago now . . . just a Chinese one.

If you have an android phone the OBDLink MX is well worth it.

I sometime mount the phone on the dash to check PIDs while driving.

Great when the MIL light comes on while out, just pull over and connect with bluetooth.

[Black S]

Hi All,

I found this you tube video which explains on how to reset your batter monitor system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-Uaf8lNcNo

Remember if you do not have a rear fog light you flash your hi-beams instead.

[Mondaveo]

Thanks for sharing this find, I'll have to try it with my Mondy (MC Titanium). I have been getting a "Low battery" message appear on the dash from time to time - it usually crops up within a short period of having the radio playing with the engine off, and sometimes other times. It did it with the Motorcraft battery that was fitted when I bought the car, and continued with replacement Super Start battery installed about 12 months ago.

I wanted to reset the BMS for the new battery, but it didn't seem possible - FORScan via OBDii exposes a BMS Reset function, but reports something like 'operation not available' when I try to enact it. I'm hoping doing the reset will stop the (seemingly) inaccurate "Low battery" message, so we'll see if this works.

Summary from the video:

1. Switch ignition on, engine off (process must be completed within the next 10 seconds)
2. Press rear fog lamp button five times
3. Press hazard button three times
4. If successful the battery icon on the dash will flash three times within the next 15 seconds

Alternatively:

1. Switch ignition on, engine off (process must be completed within the next 10 seconds)
2. Pull and release high beam five times
3. Press brake pedal three times
4. If successful the battery icon on the dash will flash three times within the next 15 seconds

[Mondaveo]

I found another video demonstrating on a Mk4 Mondeo, and describing the exact issue as I have, so very confident this should work for me. It also adds a fifth step:

5. Start engine and drive for at least 20 minutes to allow the BMS to re-learn the battery parameters

[rondeo]

So you have stop start? I suspect reset is only available with stop start.

Mine (no stop start) has some sort of reasonably smart charge system, no stop start. I'm thinking it's smarter than I am in sometimes.

I think the smart charge system maybe flawed in mysterious ways.

Thanks to the lack of user technical information (WTF is that)
we may never know exactly how.

From what I gather the system aims to keep the battery at 80% SOC. That maybe running close to the line, especially in COVID times when cars might be left longer than usual.

In the old days you disconnected the battery when you turned the ignition off, so it could last a year maybe. Now its 30 days.

[Mondaveo]

I haven't got stop-start. (Fortunately.)

I had thought that only came in with the MD/Mk5 Mondeos, so was a little surprised that it's mentioned in that video with a Mk4. Maybe one of those things that was available in other markets but not ours; like the memory function for the power driver's seat.

And you might be right that there isn't a BMS reset function if you don't have stop-start; like without the seat memory module, you also don't get auto-dipping mirrors for reversing.

I'll test it out soon.

[NZ XR6]

I probably shouldn't say this, but my MB is still on it's 2nd battery, which is a Century coming up to either 6 or 7 years old. It had no problems starting the car at 4° a few days ago.

So whatever the BMS does on the MB, it has worked well for me.

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

[rondeo]

Mine's always started but has shown the battery low warning a few times, regardless of the battery state. Anyway it gives me something to obsess about since nothing else will go wrong with the car. Yet.

Now I remember asking for the battery configuration tool when I bought a new battery, it was not available on 2011 MC.
Battery configuration is different to BMS reset though, I suppose.


Some stuff here:



https://academy.gs-yuasa.eu/wp-conte...figuration.pdf

https://www.centurybatteries.com.au/...es-V15-001.pdf

https://www.centurybatteries.com.au/..._single_lr.pdf

[Mondaveo]

I did the reset procedure today, and it actually seemed to work.
Ignition on, 5× fogs, 3× hazards; the battery icon on the dash blinked right on cue.
I took before and after readings in FORScan. The battery "days in service" and "state of charge" values have reset, so should be the end of false "low battery" messages for me, yay.

Before (engine running):



After reset (engine off):



After 25 min drive (engine running):

[cobrin]

that's interesting Mondaveo, cheers for that.

[rondeo]

Bingo!

Thanks for persevering with this Mondaveo.

I had seen this info but didn't try it because my LX doesn't have fog lights. I tried the high beam variation but it didn't work.

I had another look after seeing your post.


No, I don't have fog lights, but there's a !@#$ing push button on the dash light control which has the fog light symbol.


Why press that I wondered, if there's no fog lights?

It seems the answer is to reset the BMS. Crazy.

Anyway, it worked. Solved, 7 years later. Thanks.


Only minor problem now is I have a 10 month old battery which is 0 days old!

[rondeo]

After doing a BMS reset I drove for an hour to get cat food and noticed the following:

Dash voltmeter showed 11.6v for about 5 mins. That is not usually the case. Usually it goes straight to 14.something after dipping down to 11.9 for starting. Then fluctuated a bit and settled down after about 15-20 min to 14.7v which is what is usually does. So something going on there.

So I reckon there is a period of calibration lasting up to 20 min after BMS reset.

Does it matter? Maybe. Hard to say without knowing the algorithm.
I suspect unless BMS is reset SOC will be underestimated, causing nuisance 'low battery' messages to appear. Charging voltage may also be not optimal, but I don't think it would matter much in practice.

2011 LX diesel.

[rondeo]

Prabably one of Ford's closely guarded secrtets.

[Mondaveo]

Originally Posted by rondeo

Only minor problem now is I have a 10 month old battery which is 0 days old!

Me too. Replacement battery installed 12 months ago, now "1 day" in service as of today.

Originally Posted by rondeo

No, I don't have fog lights, but there's a !@#$ing push button on the dash light control which has the fog light symbol.

Why press that I wondered, if there's no fog lights?

It seems the answer is to reset the BMS. Crazy.

That's hilarious

Actually, I reckon you ought to double check your assertion about no fog lights on your LX. I bet you'll find you do in fact have rear fog lights - they're integrated into the taillight assemblies (you'll have to turn your light switch at least to parkers for them to operate). I think it's a Euro thing; front fog lamps might be optional, but even on the base model you get the rears for free - the Astra SXi I had prior to the Mondy was the same deal.



Since the button combo worked, I have a hunch now that FORScan can perform the BMS Reset also through that operations menu I mentioned above. Previously I only tried to use it while the engine was running (because there was no suggestion it should be otherwise); but since the button combo requires the engine off, I'm guessing it should be off for invoking in FORScan too. I'm not in a hurry to try just now though - since I've got one reset, let's see how it goes for a bit first.

[NZ XR6]

Interesting, thanks everyone for the info.

It might be a while before I will need to do a reset. I was working further south in the Waikato last week, and in the morning found the roof and windows covered in ice. The old Century turned the engine over like it was a summer's day...

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

[rondeo]

You're right Mondaveo, LX has rear fog lights only.
An orange symbol also lights on instruments.

Forscan forum had a thread on BMS reset for MC mondeo.
As I recall there was a test code sent to a few users which
didn't work.

Anyway those fog lights will also come in handy in a fog!

[NZ XR6]

Originally Posted by rondeo

You're right Mondaveo, LX has rear fog lights only.
An orange symbol also lights on instruments.

Forscan forum had a thread on BMS reset for MC mondeo.
As I recall there was a test code sent to a few users which
didn't work.

Anyway those fog lights will also come in handy in a fog!

I understand all European vehicles are required to have fog lights. If you've ever driven in fog in England, you'll understand why!

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

[rondeo]

Update on the BMS reset.

Driving for 30Km open road up and down hills I've seen a distinct change in the voltmeter readings since BMS reset.

Going downhill there's an increase in volts, and vice versa.
This accords with some descriptions of smart charge I have seen.

Maybe once the battery age is beyond some number of days, the smart charge system reverts to a preset behaviour?

My Lord Ford in heaven I believe in you, alas I understandn not,
but I love, as you gets me from A to B, albeit in my ignorance.

[rondeo]

NZ XR6, As far as I know only my father (in the family) has driven in the English Fog.


Cheers

[goz007]

Very interesting and informative post(sorry I'm a brand new MD owner....bought a 6/16 MD today 205ks) just wondering does anyone know if Forscan can perform the reset? Previous owner told me he's just replaced the alternator & battery , they all look new along with the drive belt ,so looks like a BMS reset is called for......