2000 E150 Starting Problem
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 78
Likes: 1
2000 E150 Starting Problem
Hello,
When I tried to start the van, it clicked and then all lights went out, instrument panel out as if no juice in the electrical system. I checked the battery and it was 76% charged. I hooked up the battery charger, charged it to 100% and it started right the way.
Went to the store and came back. A little while later, when I tried to start it. Same thing happen again (all lights out, instrument panel out) and the battery was 85% charged. Hook up the battery charger, 5 seconds later, it started right up.
What was wrong with it? Battery was new from Costco, less then 2 months old. Alternator was charging at 14.2 volt.
Any advice on this will be greatly appreciated.
Kin
When I tried to start the van, it clicked and then all lights went out, instrument panel out as if no juice in the electrical system. I checked the battery and it was 76% charged. I hooked up the battery charger, charged it to 100% and it started right the way.
Went to the store and came back. A little while later, when I tried to start it. Same thing happen again (all lights out, instrument panel out) and the battery was 85% charged. Hook up the battery charger, 5 seconds later, it started right up.
What was wrong with it? Battery was new from Costco, less then 2 months old. Alternator was charging at 14.2 volt.
Any advice on this will be greatly appreciated.
Kin
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,254
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
You could have the battery load tested preferably off the vehicle using a carbon pile tester. Those results would say whether the battery is having issues or not.
This sounds like a starter beginning to fail, its now at a point when it will turn only at specific battery charge levels. All other lights and gauges that seem to fail when trying to engage the starter strongly suggest its drawing so much current the batteries energy being directed 100% to the starter.
This sounds like a starter beginning to fail, its now at a point when it will turn only at specific battery charge levels. All other lights and gauges that seem to fail when trying to engage the starter strongly suggest its drawing so much current the batteries energy being directed 100% to the starter.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 906
Likes: 1
Have the battery load tested. I have gotten batteries that were not filled with electrolyte and they never took a full charge. If the battery is sealed, it could still have a bad cell.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 78
Likes: 1
Also, every time it happens the clock reset back to 12 o'clock and the radio stations lost memory
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 906
Likes: 1
Thanks for the followup, Kin. The slightly high charge voltage (14.2) could be due to a bad cell. Normal voltage on a charged system is around 13.75 warmed up. Try to a replacement with the newest date code possible; batteries can sit on the shelf for months shortening the useful life. jim
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 78
Likes: 1
Same thing happened. Van started in the morning but in the evening when I was ready to go home, It would not start.
I hooked up the battery charger (Sears Die Hard Gold) to the battery terminals. The battery was depleted to 9 volt. Battery (Interstate) was installed last month----second one in 2 months. After charging it for 10 minutes, switch charger to jump start engine, no help.
I got a jump from the client's car. Alternator voltage at 12.8
Drove 30 min to get home, I hooked up the battery to the charger again and battery reading was at 87%. Charged it back to 100% and next morning it started right up.
Is the voltage regulator bad? Or I have a slow discharge in the electrical system?
Kin
I hooked up the battery charger (Sears Die Hard Gold) to the battery terminals. The battery was depleted to 9 volt. Battery (Interstate) was installed last month----second one in 2 months. After charging it for 10 minutes, switch charger to jump start engine, no help.
I got a jump from the client's car. Alternator voltage at 12.8
Drove 30 min to get home, I hooked up the battery to the charger again and battery reading was at 87%. Charged it back to 100% and next morning it started right up.
Is the voltage regulator bad? Or I have a slow discharge in the electrical system?
Kin
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,254
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Sounds like you have a substantial parasitic draw on the battery. This could be from an internal short in the alternator itself or some part of another system is drawing current when it shouldn't.
An easy test is disconnect the negative battery terminal and install a multimeter between it and a known good ground source. You're inserting the multimeter in-line with any potential current draw----its unlikely you are exceeding 10 amps however most multimeters have internal protection fuses that blow when that amount of current is passed through it.
If you're not familiar with this sort of test here's a link that might be useful:
Let us know what this test reveals Kin!
An easy test is disconnect the negative battery terminal and install a multimeter between it and a known good ground source. You're inserting the multimeter in-line with any potential current draw----its unlikely you are exceeding 10 amps however most multimeters have internal protection fuses that blow when that amount of current is passed through it.
If you're not familiar with this sort of test here's a link that might be useful:
Let us know what this test reveals Kin!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,254
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
