My car is a 14 Ford Explorer with 27k on the odometer. Starting a couple days ago it has been slow to turn over, taking an extra second or two when turning the key. It always turns over completely and I have noticed no dimming of the lights at all. Also when I turn the truck off it shows "battery saver mode" on the radio display.

I took it to Autozone and they said the battery checks fine but shows 0% charge, and the alternator and charging system shows okay a s well. There are also no loose connections to the battery or alternator.

Any ideas as to what could be wrong?

Possible bad grounds. They can cause a lot of gremlins. Or bad insulation on a cable.

bad battery, if the charging system is working

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
bad battery, if the charging system is working

Yeah, being a 2014 with original battery, this wouldn't surprise me.

Has the starter motor been turning the engine more slowly? Or is there a delay between when you hit the key and the starter begins to turn?

If the lights are staying up while the starter is turning, your battery is likely good.

Do you mean that the battery shows zero charge ie dead? That could indicate your generator is out. Or a belt? Alternator might test good but the belt could be slipping. Should be an easy fix.

try cleaning your battery terminals.

Corrosion on the terminals or bad battery would be my first guess.

quote:

Originally posted by Some Shot:
Has the starter motor been turning the engine more slowly? Or is there a delay between when you hit the key and the starter begins to turn?

The starter motor runs slower, kind of like what happens sometimes when it's really cold.

If all of the wires are clean and tight (including on the solenoid and starter), then it might be the solenoid or starter.

What's interesting to me is the fact that the radio is showing battery saver mode after shutting the car off, and that the battery is showing 0% on the tester.

Could the charging system be bad without it showing on the tester?

I'll hook it up to a battery charger when I get home as well and see if that changes how it reacts.

I don't know where the Tech was measuring the battery. If they tested across the "battery saver" disconnect, then they wouldn't see the battery's capacity.

The battery shouldn't test "fine" and "0% charge", so I'm not sure what they were reporting. They didn't appear to think that the battery or charging system was a problem though.

Being a 2014, is it still under warranty?

What do you mean 0% charge?

Do you have a volt/ohm meter? If so test the battery and see what you get with the engine and everything turned off. A good fully charged battery should be 12.6 with the engine off.

With the engine running you should get a volt or two higher if it's charging properly.

I've learned to not trust the tests from the major parts stores. They've proven inaccurate more often than accurate for me, at least when it comes to batteries and alternators.

It sounds like a battery issue.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Being a 2014, is it still under warranty?

3 days left thankfully. I already called the dealer but they can't bring it in for 2 weeks, so I figured I'd check here just in case.

quote:

Originally posted by ryan81986:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Being a 2014, is it still under warranty?

3 days left thankfully. I already called the dealer but they can't bring it in for 2 weeks, so I figured I'd check here just in case.

Sounds like battery to me.
If you got an appt on the books would they still honor the warranty?

My 3/2013 w/60k is beginning to do the same thing. Original battery. Nearly every person asked said the battery, while testing fine, would be the likely issue.

I'll likely see how long before it fails. Hopefully while on a date by a scenic lake during a full moon.

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:
What do you mean 0% charge?

Do you have a volt/ohm meter? If so test the battery and see what you get with the engine and everything turned off. A good fully charged battery should be 12.6 with the engine off.

With the engine running you should get a volt or two higher if it's charging properly.

14-15 volts running. I would hope it's the battery. You were going to buy one soon anyway. If the starter is going bad that would account for slow starting and excessive amperage draw. So while cranking the system voltage might be low enough to trigger battery saver mode.

Is your truck a standard or automatic transmission? If a standard, it could be a loose or corroded connection on the clutch safety system... Had this problem on a ranger pickup & it was a real pain in the ass getting it diagnosed.