Battery problem
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,545
Likes: 1,156
From: San Jose, CA
If you don't have an aux battery at this point, you can also disconnect the small wire from the auxiliary battery relay/solenoid so it does not activate when the key is on.
Of course, disconnecting the positive cable is the better method, but in a pinch pulling the small wire off the "S" terminal is a good first step.
It's possible that your battery is defective as well. Agree totally that discharging even a new battery can kill it, or at least injure it significantly, but it's also possible to get a bad battery from the get-go.
Even an Optima.
Paul
Paul
Of course, disconnecting the positive cable is the better method, but in a pinch pulling the small wire off the "S" terminal is a good first step.
It's possible that your battery is defective as well. Agree totally that discharging even a new battery can kill it, or at least injure it significantly, but it's also possible to get a bad battery from the get-go.
Even an Optima.
Paul
Paul
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: Ontario Canada
Cargo lamp is in but looks to be all broken up . I have a new led one to stick in just have not gotten to it.
brake light are not hooked up because bed is off , but maybe connection wire is laying on frame , um I'll check that when I go out to unplung charger.
Alternator is new and starter relay .
Crap I just thought of something, the person I got this truck from has another starter relay on the driver side for extra battery and the cable might be toughing something because its not hooked up to a battery.
The wires are just laying around. I have not got to that yet.
Oh man your making really think tonight lol , also my whole dash is out because Im replacing it all maybe a wire in there touching.
brake light are not hooked up because bed is off , but maybe connection wire is laying on frame , um I'll check that when I go out to unplung charger.
Alternator is new and starter relay .
Crap I just thought of something, the person I got this truck from has another starter relay on the driver side for extra battery and the cable might be toughing something because its not hooked up to a battery.
The wires are just laying around. I have not got to that yet.
Oh man your making really think tonight lol , also my whole dash is out because Im replacing it all maybe a wire in there touching.
Mack
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Southern Oregon
So i went out took charger off the battery sitting at 12.61. So I left the neg cable off and ran test light from neg ground to neg cable, no light hooked up ground stated checking all other wires for power that should not be on could not find anythin in engine bay. Have not had the chance to check in cab yet.
Also checked that other starter relay no power when off only when on.
Im leaving for a while today so i will check the battery for volt drop tonight when I get home.
Also checked that other starter relay no power when off only when on.
Im leaving for a while today so i will check the battery for volt drop tonight when I get home.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,545
Likes: 1,156
From: San Jose, CA
Yeah, if it has dropped when completely disconnected from the vehicle, you have your answer.
Unfortunate answer, but at least it's an answer. And being so new, maybe they'll warranty it.
Paul
Unfortunate answer, but at least it's an answer. And being so new, maybe they'll warranty it.
Paul
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Southern Oregon
I just got back and checked it, its sitting at 12.48 and this is hooked up with no charger connected. Im going to wait for about 4 more hrs and check again.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,545
Likes: 1,156
From: San Jose, CA
12.61 to 12.48 is not bad. Pretty normal I would think.
Unless that was just five minutes!
But if it was over several hours, I would think it's not the end of that battery. But it is at the lower end now. So it does depend on how long it took to get there.
Paul
Unless that was just five minutes!
But if it was over several hours, I would think it's not the end of that battery. But it is at the lower end now. So it does depend on how long it took to get there.
Paul
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Southern Oregon
Its been about 3-4 hrs.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,545
Likes: 1,156
From: San Jose, CA
You might still be ok then.
A little longer will tell the tale. I'm not sure the minimum acceptable, but for sure if it goes below 12.0 over night, your battery is not happy.
I had a couple of Optima Blue Tops that I killed through neglect, and they would hold 12.3-12.5 volts for a day or two, but would then go down quickly below 12v after that. Then down to about 11.3v after a couple more days. Pretty sad... (for my wallet anyway!).
Paul
A little longer will tell the tale. I'm not sure the minimum acceptable, but for sure if it goes below 12.0 over night, your battery is not happy.
I had a couple of Optima Blue Tops that I killed through neglect, and they would hold 12.3-12.5 volts for a day or two, but would then go down quickly below 12v after that. Then down to about 11.3v after a couple more days. Pretty sad... (for my wallet anyway!).
Paul
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Southern Oregon
So its been about 22 hrs since the first check which was 12.61 and just checked it
11.96.
Im thinking of charging it back to full and then disconnecting battery and doing this waiting game one more time to see if I get a different result.
11.96.
Im thinking of charging it back to full and then disconnecting battery and doing this waiting game one more time to see if I get a different result.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 504
Likes: 4
From: Malheur County
So i went out took charger off the battery sitting at 12.61. So I left the neg cable off and ran test light from neg ground to neg cable, no light hooked up ground stated checking all other wires for power that should not be on could not find anythin in engine bay. Have not had the chance to check in cab yet.
Also checked that other starter relay no power when off only when on.
Im leaving for a while today so i will check the battery for volt drop tonight when I get home.
Also checked that other starter relay no power when off only when on.
Im leaving for a while today so i will check the battery for volt drop tonight when I get home.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Southern Oregon
I had just got done recharging it. SO
top of battery + and - hooked up =12.51 volts
+ still connected neg not connected meter attached between - post and - wire= -12.51 volts.
Test light , + still connected neg not connected test light attached between - post and - wire =no light
I dont understand what this all means
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,698
Likes: 7
From: Taxachusetts
What do YOU think it means?
To me, it seems like you have no parasitic battery drain.
Mebbe its because your spaghetti mess of dash wiring (which you didn't mention before) isn't grounding out a positive (BATT voltage) open connection by your moving things around in there....
Mebbe you disconnected a "HOT" lead somewhere - other starter solenoid or such.
Mebbe Thor missed you with his Mighty Hammer, Mjolnir.....
To me, it seems like you have no parasitic battery drain.
Mebbe its because your spaghetti mess of dash wiring (which you didn't mention before) isn't grounding out a positive (BATT voltage) open connection by your moving things around in there....
Mebbe you disconnected a "HOT" lead somewhere - other starter solenoid or such.
Mebbe Thor missed you with his Mighty Hammer, Mjolnir.....
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Francis
Take your new battery, and have it load tested. I've had lots of new batteries that show good voltage, but fail under load. Even the Optimas can be bad from new. That will eliminate the battery immediately, and then if bad, you'll have another brand new battery under warranty. If tested good, you can move on to other things, and not have the battery issue in the back of your mind.
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: Ontario Canada
Take your new battery, and have it load tested. I've had lots of new batteries that show good voltage, but fail under load. Even the Optimas can be bad from new. That will eliminate the battery immediately, and then if bad, you'll have another brand new battery under warranty. If tested good, you can move on to other things, and not have the battery issue in the back of your mind.
Mack
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Southern Oregon
What do YOU think it means?
To me, it seems like you have no parasitic battery drain.
Mebbe its because your spaghetti mess of dash wiring (which you didn't mention before) isn't grounding out a positive (BATT voltage) open connection by your moving things around in there....
Mebbe you disconnected a "HOT" lead somewhere - other starter solenoid or such.
Mebbe Thor missed you with his Mighty Hammer, Mjolnir.....
To me, it seems like you have no parasitic battery drain.
Mebbe its because your spaghetti mess of dash wiring (which you didn't mention before) isn't grounding out a positive (BATT voltage) open connection by your moving things around in there....
Mebbe you disconnected a "HOT" lead somewhere - other starter solenoid or such.
Mebbe Thor missed you with his Mighty Hammer, Mjolnir.....
But I think your right. I believe I moved what ever was causing it. because the battery is still showing 12.51 volts this morning. Last night it was 12.61. But the temp outside was in low 30's .
I guess I'll see after clearing up the mess in the dash