Dead Motorcraft Battery in 3 years and 3 months?

[Alan Peters]

Heading to work this morning and went to unlock the truck. Battery was completely dead, I mean gone. I was getting 4 volts cold. My load tester wouldn't even test is was to low. The day before was prefectly normal, started fine and all the battery functions were good. I have noticed only 2 things for about a year, the clock on the radio would properly hold time and sometimes when starting I would turn the ignition and the doors would lock and the starter would click to fire but a second turn, the trac would fire right up.



I only paid 40 dollars for the battery since it was prorated warranty. But still I got 5 years plus out of the original battery and still 10 years out of a Ford Focus battery.



Haven't had a chance to specificly test the charging system yet, but what are the chances the alternator is going south? I have 77,000 miles on my 03.

 

[Tommy Masters]

You should test the alternator, most auto parts places (Autozone Etc.) will do it for free if you don't have a volt meter. It sounds like it could be the alternator.

 

[Jerry Gerner 2]

Check all the grounds, alternator wires and fuses. Also like Tommy said, take it to Advanced Auto or AutoZone to have the complete charging system for free.

 

[RedRanger 7]

Clean the battery terminals and make sure your interior light wasnt on overnight :banana:

Dave :driving:

 

[Alan Peters]

Had the alternator and charging system tested. Charging is at 14.4 volts and the alternator tested to be good. Diaods are fine. I'm guessing it was a bad battery.

 

[FlipTrac_511]

Mine went out after just within a year. Fortunately the dealer I bought it from gave me a free replacement. I had chosen to stick with Motorcraft since the original had lasted about 5 years.