08 XLT dead battery.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 71
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From: Andalusia AL
08 XLT dead battery.
So I went out to start my truck today after setting for 2 weeks and nothing. (2008 F150 XLT 4.6 31k miles) bought may 08. Anyway no lights or anything, battery was dead as a doorknob. I was just wondering if my battery was on its way out or if I have other problems. Oh and something else I couldn't get it out of park (column shift) until I hooked a battery charger to it. I was going to pull it out of the barn to jump it off but couldn't get out of park. Have anyone else experienced similar problems after letting your truck set for a short time?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: Newport, Wa.
You wouldn't be able to get it out of park with a dead battery, that's normal. These modern vehicles, all of them, use up a lot of battery while parked. If you don't need to drive it at least once a week, try to keep some kind of battery maintaince charger on it. If your poor battery sat in cold weather discharged, it won't be worth much now I'm afraid.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 71
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From: Andalusia AL
Well it was driven daily until 2 weeks ago, so its the longest it has ever sat. Sounds pretty normal to be discharged in that amount of time then. Thanks didn't know that they used as much juice lol. I'm used to getting in my bronco after 2-3 weeks and it fires right up, thats why I asked.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,743
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From: Henrico, VA
Yeah but your Bronco has no computer on board or anything for the battery to charge and keep going while it sits. It is only needed when you go to start it. Next time it might sit for a period like this just start it once a week for say 30 minutes and that should take care of the problem.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 41
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Last week I walked out to my 08 XLT 5.4L dead too....its been pretty cold here...the battery that was in it was a motorcraft group 58....that seemed way to small so I went to Sears and bought a diehard gold group 65...they are made in the USA now and are great batteries
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Andalusia AL
Exactly what I was thinking Coskid. I just wanted to make sure that it was normal, and that I didn't have an electrical problem. All was well after it sat all day today so I think i'm in the clear for a while. I normally drive it everyday but my bronco was setting around so I've been driving it the last two weeks. And Smokey01 good to hear that the diehard is made in USA. This is a little off topic but how do you get a pic of your truck in your post like that, or on here for that matter?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 2
From: Tri-Cities, TN
My '07 was doing the same battery drain thing. But then it started happening with shorter duration periods of not being started. Six months after I had the first problem I had to replace the battery (3 years, 4 months old). The newer trucks sure beat on their batteries...
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: Newport, Wa.
Exactly what I was thinking Coskid. I just wanted to make sure that it was normal, and that I didn't have an electrical problem. All was well after it sat all day today so I think i'm in the clear for a while. I normally drive it everyday but my bronco was setting around so I've been driving it the last two weeks. And Smokey01 good to hear that the diehard is made in USA. This is a little off topic but how do you get a pic of your truck in your post like that, or on here for that matter?
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2008
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I still have the original battery in my 06 and it sits for 2-3 weeks at a time without starting. No issues so far. But I know at 5 years old it could go any time. A battery can go bad at any time from 6 months old until 10 years old. You just never know. If it happens again after sitting for a couple of weeks you have something drawing an abnormal amount of current while sitting. Also, when you replace the battery, get the alternator checked over as well. Sometimes a bad battery can take out an alternator.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 24
From: ME
I had to buy a battery tender for my 06 F150.My Bronco is my daily driver so sometimes my 06 sits for weeks at a time without getting started.Before I bought the tender my truck could only sit 9 or 10 days before killing the battery.My original battery only lasted 2.5 years.My NAPA battery won't make it 2 weeks of sitting either. 
The battery tender was a good investment for me.It's cheaper than buying a new battery every couple years.
The battery tender was a good investment for me.It's cheaper than buying a new battery every couple years.
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