Battery Dying
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,098
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Battery Dying
Ok I'm sure this battery situation may be normal. I am not driving my truck much during the winter (haven't in the last month) because I don't want the salt to eat any of the steel (had a new bed that was rotting out along the fenders replaced under warranty.). I went out to start the truck the other day and wouldn't you know it, it wouldn't start. With the help of my charger/starter I got it going and let it run for about 15 mins. A couple of days later and nothing. The lights and such still worked just no starting. I figure its just from sitting and not being used with something slowly trickling away at the battery. Anyone know what could be drawing the juice away from the battery? I'm just going to leave the negative side unhooked for now until I need to use it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
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If you let a battery sit dead or not charged up for a period of time it will go bad. Try putting it on a 10 amp charge over night once every few weeks, but the battery you have now is probably bad. Running the engine will not fully charge the battery in a short period of time.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,098
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Believe me I completely understand that the battery wouldnt charge on 15 min of run time. I just wanted to see if I could start it again. Its been on a charger for 24hrs and all is good. I had the battery die on me while I was parked in the street with a small utility trailer with the flashers on for about 2hrs (kinda forgot they were on). Had the battery tested and was told it was fine, I had one in hand to buy. I'm not asking the question of "duh, why was my battery not workin?", I've got more sense than that. 
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
How long are you letting it sit? Parasitic draw keeping the PCM and other modules memory alive should be less than 50 milliamps, according to Ford spec. But if you have anything hooked up in the truck that can draw power, that can be higher.
For example I have an Edge Evolution that will draw a little power all the time. And if I forget and leave my GPS on it really sucks it down.
If you're concerned that you're losing too much, there is a test procedure that you can go through to measure it.
For example I have an Edge Evolution that will draw a little power all the time. And if I forget and leave my GPS on it really sucks it down.
If you're concerned that you're losing too much, there is a test procedure that you can go through to measure it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,060
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From: Burnsville, MN
Is it the original battery? On my 2005 the battery failed a load test in the last month of the warranty (48 mo.?) and was replaced with new. You're assuming the dead draw is what is killing it, but I'd do a load test to see if there's a battery problem.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
15 mins of run time should be more than enough to start the truck the next day. Get a new battery and get a battery tender for it..Never let it go down. It won't last long.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,714
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From: Canton, IL
Check all of your cable ends and battery terminals. I had a corrosion problem that stopped mine from starting. Batteries were fine.
Read all about it.... I don't even get the romps when starting now. Voltage makes all the difference.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-solution.html
Read all about it.... I don't even get the romps when starting now. Voltage makes all the difference.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-solution.html
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