Battery Tender - Issue with 2016 GT ?

[plresultsman]

I would want to know what that box is doing. It didn't come from the factory that way and it sure didn't come with that green and grey wire either. Looks like you have more than just one after market device connected to the battery. I would find out where they go. I'm guessing GPS tracker installed somewhere.

Also, the battery tender should not be attached to the battery ground. It need to go to the ground wire on the strut tower.

This is likely not the reason your charger shuts down. Have your battery tested at a shop or parts store. They will tell you if your battery is done.

Thank you. I appreciate the help and advice!

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[WildHorse]

Like it or not he stated the truth and made a very valid troubleshooting suggestion.

Still waiting on him to disconnect the battery and try the tender again.

 

[plresultsman]

Still waiting on him to disconnect the battery and try the tender again.

I will do that - and remove the rando wires too. Heading out now to do it.

 

[plresultsman]

Thanks for all of the input, Hive Mind.

The mystery is solved. More corrective actions coming:

There were two devices on the car of which I was not aware:
- a 'The AutoSaver System' electric rust inhibitor. This snake oil thing claims to reduce rust by running a charge into the steel bits of body. Removed it.
- a permanent connection for an unknown battery tender. Also removed it. I was in contact with former owner twice before purchase. I also spoke with both dealers who worked on the car in original central NY town. Neither of these items came up. And the general check up (and AC fix) I got at a local Ford dealer did not turn up these items. Tech obvi did not remove the battery cover.

Hard to believe that a guy who dropped $12k on a supercharger and exhaust fell for an "AutoSaver".

My battery tender is working fine on my north wall outlet (location of Subaru), but not on my south wall outlet (Mustang), which I figured out with an extension cord to the north outlet while attached to Mustang. I will have to get the south outlet fixed, as it is hinky. Wasn't expecting my garage electrical to play a role. Yes, I am aware that you do not use extension cords with battery tenders, and I have not done so past this quick test.

There is one gray wire along the firewall to that AutoSaver device I was not able to track down before the cold and dark set in today. For another day. All other wires on the battery are off.

Thank you all again.

 

[Cobra Jet]

Thanks for all of the input, Hive Mind.

The mystery is solved. More corrective actions coming:

There were two devices on the car of which I was not aware:
- a 'The AutoSaver System' electric rust inhibitor. This snake oil thing claims to reduce rust by running a charge into the steel bits of body. Removed it.
- a permanent connection for an unknown battery tender. Also removed it. I was in contact with former owner twice before purchase. I also spoke with both dealers who worked on the car in original central NY town. Neither of these items came up. And the general check up (and AC fix) I got at a local Ford dealer did not turn up these items. Tech obvi did not remove the battery cover.

Hard to believe that a guy who dropped $12k on a supercharger and exhaust fell for an "AutoSaver".

My battery tender is working fine on my north wall outlet (location of Subaru), but not on my south wall outlet (Mustang), which I figured out with an extension cord to the north outlet while attached to Mustang. I will have to get the south outlet fixed, as it is hinky. Wasn't expecting my garage electrical to play a role. Yes, I am aware that you do not use extension cords with battery tenders, and I have not done so past this quick test.

There is one gray wire along the firewall to that AutoSaver device I was not able to track down before the cold and dark set in today. For another day. All other wires on the battery are off.

Thank you all again.

Great that you were able to figure out the "extras" that were causing the issue.

Most likely it was the rust preventer AutoSaver System causing the issue. My guess is since it was tapped to the steel of the car and always "hot" by design (not physically hot as in temp), when you were hooking up your battery tender - the tender was sensing a ground fault, and protecting itself (and the battery) by shutting down each time you tried to connect it.

I've never heard of such a device, but from what you discovered, it can definitely cause more issues than what it is worth.

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