Service Charging System Now not warranty?

[barstowpo]

So I got a Charging system service now message after spirited driving. Took it to the dealer. They saw codes in the memory but could not replicate the problem. Instead of this being an extended warranty issue, they want to charge me $132 diagnostic fee since they didn't replace any parts. Does this sound right. I paid for an extended warranty so I didn't have to deal with little issues.

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[Tank]

I think it would depend on the wording of your warranty. Dust it off and read the fine print.

Also, if you have gotten one yet, get an OBD dongle and program that can clear codes. I’ve cleared a couple of codes on my GT350 and Explorer and they haven’t come back. When they do and I can’t figure it out, that’s when I access the dealer.

Good luck. I hope it doesn’t come back.

 

[Shift]

Maybe it's dealer-dependent on how they handle it? Is the extended warranty from Ford? I also bought the extended warranty to not have any repair bills in the near future.

 

[NoXiDe]

So I got a Charging system service now message after spirited driving. Took it to the dealer. They saw codes in the memory but could not replicate the problem. Instead of this being an extended warranty issue, they want to charge me $132 diagnostic fee since they didn't replace any parts. Does this sound right. I paid for an extended warranty so I didn't have to deal with little issues.

Friend, your battery is about to die. I had that same error code and replacing the battery permanently got rid of it. I changed my battery out, less than 4 months ago and also the original 2016 battery. A few signs for me gave it away, longer cranks and had to jump the car a few times. I kept it on a tender too to see how far long I could go and kept a battery backup jump system in the car with me at all times just to be able to jump it. From my own experience, it sounds like you just need a new battery and that's a warning code.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

So I got a Charging system service now message after spirited driving. Took it to the dealer. They saw codes in the memory but could not replicate the problem. Instead of this being an extended warranty issue, they want to charge me $132 diagnostic fee since they didn't replace any parts. Does this sound right. I paid for an extended warranty so I didn't have to deal with little issues.

FWIW, I have the Ford EXP but haven't read the fine print since haven't needed it yet. But my Cadillac GM equivalent definitely says it just covers repairs for things that fail. As such, I would not take the Caddy in just for codes that go away by themselves if the car is running fine. For intermittent problems, you might want to ask the dealer up front how they would deal with a situation like yours.

Hopefully, your dealer will change their mind or maybe they charged you when the warranty should cover your problem. There is an 800 number for the EXP; maybe ask them. Note: the number wasn't on any of my EXP paperwork so I had to search for it to confirm the dealer actually submitted the EXP since that is a too common scam. Or maybe it was the GM one that I had to search for a number. Regardless, give them a call.

 

[lightrules]

Friend, your battery is about to die. I had that same error code and replacing the battery permanently got rid of it. I changed my battery out, less than 4 months ago and also the original 2016 battery. A few signs for me gave it away, longer cranks and had to jump the car a few times. I kept it on a tender too to see how far long I could go and kept a battery backup jump system in the car with me at all times just to be able to jump it. From my own experience, it sounds like you just need a new battery and that's a warning code.

which battery and brand did you go with?

 

[barstowpo]

Well, an update. I went to pick up the car and paid the diagnostic fee. They assured me if the problem persisted they would apply the charge to my $100 deductible. I got a block from the dealer and the warning came on again. Took it back and dropped it off. The charge gauge showed under 12 volts but was somewhat erratic. I thought it might be battery too but they assure me that it checks out ok.

 

[Lurker_350]

Well, an update. I went to pick up the car and paid the diagnostic fee. They assured me if the problem persisted they would apply the charge to my $100 deductible.....

Why wouldn't they just charge you the $100 deductible? $132 > $100, so it seems like you should only pay $100.

 

[Tank]

Well, an update. I went to pick up the car and paid the diagnostic fee. They assured me if the problem persisted they would apply the charge to my $100 deductible. I got a block from the dealer and the warning came on again. Took it back and dropped it off. The charge gauge showed under 12 volts but was somewhat erratic. I thought it might be battery too but they assure me that it checks out ok.

Let me know if you need any DTCs looked up.

 

[460Fred]

I’ve become a believer in replacing batteries prematurely. Modern cars just freak out with the slightest power problem. I live in a desert, heat kills batteries prematurely.
One of the many reasons old school shade tree mechanics hate new cars.

 

[NoXiDe]

which battery and brand did you go with?

I wanted to go with anti gravity but something about it didn't meet my platform needs. I think it was low degree weather requirement of mine? I can't recall and wish I could find the PM from the vendor. Don't quote me on it but I believe at the time I wanted to go with them for their low weight design but they were very focused on track performance and weren't tolerable to the cold weather. I like being able to drive mine all year long so I just went with motorcraft and missed out on the extra weight savings for the ability to drive in the cold. Got to hear that exhaust note. haha.

 

[Inthehighdesert]

I do the same. My diesels are 3 years like clockwork.

I’ve become a believer in replacing batteries prematurely. Modern cars just freak out with the slightest power problem. I live in a desert, heat kills batteries prematurely.
One of the many reasons old school shade tree mechanics hate new cars.

 

[barstowpo]

Why wouldn't they just charge you the $100 deductible? $132 > $100, so it seems like you should only pay $100.

They finally determined the alternator is bad. They are going to refund the $32 portion of the diagnostic fee and use the $100 for the deductible. I just couldn't believe they were not going to warranty the check charging system error because they couldn't find anything. Actually, I think the regulator in the alternator failed. The service writer didn't rev it high enough on his test drive to trigger the fault.

 

[Egparson202]

Did they tell you how they were able to determine the problem was with the alternator and not the battery? I ask because I’m getting the same message on the Shelby.

 

[MCS]

What OBD dongle and program are people using here?

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