Strange dashboard behavior and no start condition.

[tmaxx]

I have a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Has 138k miles. I've got a strange issue that pops up sometimes. It seems like it happens after the car has sat for a few days without driving or if I leave the radio playing with the key in accessory mode. When I attempt to "start" the car, the dashboard lights will randomly flash and then start clicking non-stop. The only way to get this to stop is to hook up jumper cables to the battery and another car. Then I can "start" the car. Of course, it's not running, it's in battery mode. Anyway, could this be a bad engine start battery? I don't get any dash indications that I have a low battery though, just the strange dashboard light activity.

Any help is appreciated.

[lolder]

Replace the 12 vdc battery. It's only available from Ford. It doesn't start the engine but it causes the type of problem you describe. You can do it yourself. You have to remove a few bolts and loosen some screws and twist the outer end of the air induction tube like hell to break the rubber gasket free so you can pull it apart and push it back out of the way.. You also have to remove a bolt securing a small odd shaped plastic resonator compartment. It's a 15 minute job.

Edited May 27, 2015 by lolder

[tmaxx]

Do you know why is this battery only available from Ford? I am guessing being a Ford only part, it's $$$$.

[lolder]

It's only available from Ford. Many have looked elsewhere to no avail. There's nothing special about it. They're about $120 unless you have some warranty credit on the old one.

Edited May 28, 2015 by lolder

[Texasota]

It's only available from Ford. Many have looked elsewhere to no avail. There's nothing special about it. They're about $120 unless you have some warranty credit on the old one.

 

I was under the impression that the battery case was a non-standard size presumably to minimize the amount of trunk space consumed by it. If this is correct (I could be wrong), then the $$ cost will always be higher when you have a non-standard/special low volume component like this.

[jeff_h]

The 12V battery for a 2010 FFH is in the front, under the hood. I had mine replaced at 140k at the dealer, had not exhibited any bad symptoms but I was about to turn the car over to a family friend and wanted to start them off with a new 12V battery. IIRC the battery was about $100-120 so not a huge markup, don't think there was much labor cost to install as it's pretty accessible there in front under the hood.

[Texasota]

Sorry, I forgot we were talking about a pre-2013 FFH.