Random dead battery

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Oct 27, 2011 | 03:07 PM

jazz77

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 241

Likes: 1

From: North Dakota

Random dead battery

Like the title says my 2002 Ex with V10 needs to be jump started randomly. More often than not lately. I had the battery alternator both checked and was told both were fine....Any ideas??? This is the first and only issue I've had since buying my beast....

Oct 27, 2011 | 09:58 PM

broncorif

Mountain Pass

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 229

Likes: 5

I had a similar issue for most of the year. First time I took it to Auto Zone and they said there was a 2 amp draw. So I took it to Ford and they found nothing. 8 months later it happened again. It happened to happen twice in the same day. It turned out to have happened both times after I had just moved the Ex in the parking lot. This time Auto Zone tested the battery and said it was probably just getting weak and only had enough power to start the Ex one time. When I moved the Ex I didnt give it enough time to recharge the battery and it didnt have enough power left to start the Ex again. I replaced the battery and have had no trouble since. By the way, the battery was just over 3 years old.

Oct 27, 2011 | 10:26 PM

EXv10

Post Fiend

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 11,798

Likes: 14

From: Mt. Shasta California

Some batteries only last 3 years.

Oct 28, 2011 | 06:22 AM

tdappleman

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 1,388

Likes: 2

From: Greensboro, NC

Do you ever use a charger on the battery or do you rely on the alternator? Was the battery fully charged when it was tested? I'm surprised Autozone was able to do a battery draw test since it requires some time and more skill than the average counter person. You could have a relay starting to stick or a light stuck on (visors, cargo area, etc). I would start with the basics and fully charge the battery using a charger and then have it load tested to see what you have. Like Ex says some batteries only last 3 years and I've seen some last a shorter period depending on how they were used and what type they were.

Oct 28, 2011 | 09:22 AM

DennisBauer

Junior User

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 78

Likes: 0

While checking the basics is brought up check all connections, loose wire could do it, had this issue on my old wrangler

Oct 28, 2011 | 12:49 PM

jazz77

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 241

Likes: 1

From: North Dakota

Checked all the fittings,cleaned terminals etc. I charged it up with charger. Still did it. Starts right up with jumppack. I'm starting to think it's the battery. Whatever O'Reilly's used to test the battery, it didn't take long and the battery does look old. Can't see date cuz faded so that'sproly not a good sign

Oct 28, 2011 | 02:48 PM

Bpayton

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 115

Likes: 0

I had this happen to my ex recently. Ended up being the GEMS unit. Until I can replace it I just pull the fuse when I know it’s going to be off for a while and no more dead batteries. Take an amp meter and start pulling fuses.