Community Forums

Excursion04 · 01-25-2016, 08:12 AM

We have been flat towing our 2013 Focus for last couple of years following the exact procedures as recommended in owners manual. Since we are using brake buddy, I ran a separate power line for the brake buddy which is alway hot. The negative which is also ground is connected to the frame which makes easy to disconnect. I did have had transmission problems couple of times which I thought had to do with flat towing. But it was not. Ford diagnosis showed bad control module, which I found out is pretty common with Ford Focus. It has to do with their design.

Bamadug · 01-25-2016, 03:15 PM

I have driven over 6000 miles towing my 2014 Focus and have disconnected and reconnected the negative cable at least 3 dozen times. I disconnect the Black Negative Cable and when I reconnect, I have it set that it's loose enough to take off and put back on without using a wrench. I replace the battery cover and have never had a problem. It might not be the most proper technique but it works for me.

mrt_1111 · 01-25-2016, 03:35 PM

I wonder if anybody has used a wing nut on the battery cable to avoid having to use a wranch/socket to remove the cable?

JoeCar · 03-21-2016, 06:22 PM

In another forum:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/2016-...ml#post2987446

I posted a slightly modified version of the battery disconnect solution discussed by "hdmoxness" in post 19 of this forum. I think I gave detailed instructions and photos to anyone that wants to attempt this. Depending on how much room is under the hood (in the Focus - not much!) this could be adapted to other cars as well.

Lexi2007 · 04-17-2017, 08:07 PM

What is the cable that looks to be grounded to the frame of the car? If that's disconnected, does that also disconnect the negative pole on the battery?

computerguy · 04-17-2017, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexi2007

What is the cable that looks to be grounded to the frame of the car? If that's disconnected, does that also disconnect the negative pole on the battery?

No
It's only a place to use to jump the car if necessary
I have a detailed install on my 2016 focus

Lexi2007 · 04-17-2017, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by computerguy

No
It's only a place to use to jump the car if necessary
I have a detailed install on my 2016 focus

We have the 2014 SE model. Other Focus owners have flipped the battery around and installed a new, longer cable to the positive terminal and that brings the negative terminal closer to the front.

Ideas? Comments?

georgelesley · 04-18-2017, 05:14 AM

For just a few $$$ install a battery disconnect switch.

maxwell15 · 04-18-2017, 09:55 AM

I just put a small marine grade battery disconnect switch on the negative cable. My wife gets in the car and places the shifter in N and I turn the switch to OFF. We have towed more than 6000 miles so far and no problems. Just disconnect from motorhome, turn the switch to ON, put the Focus in gear and away we go.

Lexi2007 · 04-18-2017, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgelesley

For just a few $$$ install a battery disconnect switch.

That's what we want to do. Can you see the picture of my battery as it sits in the car right now, a couple of posts ahead of yours?

My battery position looks different from yours.

Right now, it looks like our best bet is to purchase a longer battery cable, switch the battery 180 degrees so that the positive is under the dash,and the negative terminal is now exposed, making room for the quick disconnect.

I hate that I am right up against the wall in getting ready for this trip, but it is what it is.

georgelesley · 04-19-2017, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexi2007

That's what we want to do. Can you see the picture of my battery as it sits in the car right now, a couple of posts ahead of yours?

My battery position looks different from yours.

Right now, it looks like our best bet is to purchase a longer battery cable, switch the battery 180 degrees so that the positive is under the dash,and the negative terminal is now exposed, making room for the quick disconnect.

I hate that I am right up against the wall in getting ready for this trip, but it is what it is.

Be sure to put disconnect switch on positive cable post. Our braking system (SMI) uses the car battery negative for the ground and so must remain connected.

Your battery should have a + marker beside the positive post and a _ sign beside the negative post. The positive wil likely be red as well, but not guaranteed.

Lexi2007 · 04-19-2017, 02:02 PM

[QUOTE=georgelesley;3557026]Be sure to put disconnect switch on positive cable post. Our braking system (SMI) uses the car battery negative for the ground and so must remain connected.

Your battery should have a + marker beside the positive post and a _ sign beside the negative post. The positive wil likely be red as well, but not guaranteed.[/QU

Our auxiliary braking system will run on a battery pack. Just curious, our owner's manual explicitly says disconnect the negative cable.

georgelesley · 04-19-2017, 03:31 PM

[QUOTE=Lexi2007;3557813]

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgelesley

Be sure to put disconnect switch on positive cable post. Our braking system (SMI) uses the car battery negative for the ground and so must remain connected.

Your battery should have a + marker beside the positive post and a _ sign beside the negative post. The positive wil likely be red as well, but not guaranteed.[/QU

Our auxiliary braking system will run on a battery pack. Just curious, our owner's manual explicitly says disconnect the negative cable.

Disconnecting the negative or positive likely varies with the braking system. Ours says only the positive because the ground is common with the car.if one were to use a separate battery pack, then the negative on the car battery would be the best choice. I like te disconnect switch so no cables need be disconnected and reconnected.

mrt_1111 · 04-19-2017, 03:52 PM

On my last trip, on a very dark road I got trapped and had to turn around. There was no way to do it without backing up, which required disconnecting the car. The road was on a incline so I needed to start the car. It was dark and I was mr fumble fingers dropping the wrench multiple times. I did manage to do it but...

Let just say I installed a switch to disconnect the battery. Because I use a RVI2 braking system, connected to the car battery which is charged from my MH. I had to put it in the positive post. If I put it on the neg post the car would have got power from the MH.

I am using this switch Battery Doctor