Battery Problems - Need Help Diagnosing
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Battery Problems - Need Help Diagnosing
Hello, I have a 77 F150 300 i6 and let the battery drain one night because I decided to be forgetful and leave the lights on. The next day I had the truck jumped and drove it around for a good hour or so. Within that hour I stopped at places and it would start up fine each time I fired her up.
Fast forward 4 or 5 days and I try to start her again, but the battery power is low again. She starts to crank but just barely, lights are dim, etc... The solenoid got stuck in the crank position and was cranking (very slowly) even when I had the keys out the ignition. I've heard that this happens when your battery power is too low.
Anyways, I jumped it again and drove it around 30 min. Later that day I tried starting it and it was dead again.
Should driving it around 30 min - 1 hour be enough to charge the battery? I'm wondering if I have a problem with my alternator and that this is going to slowly drain any battery I use.
Fast forward 4 or 5 days and I try to start her again, but the battery power is low again. She starts to crank but just barely, lights are dim, etc... The solenoid got stuck in the crank position and was cranking (very slowly) even when I had the keys out the ignition. I've heard that this happens when your battery power is too low.
Anyways, I jumped it again and drove it around 30 min. Later that day I tried starting it and it was dead again.
Should driving it around 30 min - 1 hour be enough to charge the battery? I'm wondering if I have a problem with my alternator and that this is going to slowly drain any battery I use.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 130
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From: Pilot Mound, Iowa
Make sure all your connections are good. With the engine running use your meter to see how many volts you get at the battery. Anything less then 14 volts, id say alternator problem. Have it tested at your local parts store
Jeff
Jeff
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,512
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From: Wildwood Pa
Put the battery on a charger for 12 hours or more. That may work, or it may be time for a new battery. An hour of driving isn't enough for a full charge.
Also, check the voltage at the battery with a voltmeter, both running & not, & after you charge it.
Clean all the terminals, check the condition of the cables.
Also, check the voltage at the battery with a voltmeter, both running & not, & after you charge it.
Clean all the terminals, check the condition of the cables.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
Alternators aren't really designed for completely discharged batteries, but just replacing the juice used to start the engine. A jump start will get things running, but the battery really needs a good thorough charging as soon as possible. The battery should be load tested, it may need to be replaced. A defective battery may ruin a good alternator, and the reverse is also true.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Pilot Mound, Iowa
Alternators aren't really designed for completely discharged batteries, but just replacing the juice used to start the engine. A jump start will get things running, but the battery really needs a good thorough charging as soon as possible. The battery should be load tested, it may need to be replaced. A defective battery may ruin a good alternator, and the reverse is also true.
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Thanks a lot everyone, shortly after I posted I went and got the battery checked and found out it was a dud. Had it replaced and things are working fine now. Good to know that the alternator is not meant for to recharging dead batteries, and that it takes longer than an hour of driving to recharge a battery. Thanks again for the info.
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