Junk batteries
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Southeast Kansas
Junk batteries
On 3/20/2020 I had a new Motorcraft battery put in my 2015 F150 K/R with a 3.5 TT. 2 weeks ago, had a oil change done. Battery tested at 717/750. This morning the truck wouldn't start. Jumped it, went to the dealership, and the battery test showed it had a bad cell. The battery, was one that still had a 100 month pro-rated warranty.
The battery was replaced with no cost to me except that NOW, it has 30 months on it, and that is it !! I knew that was the warranty when I left the dealership as a service writer, BUT, IMO, its a rip off.
OK, I am off of my soap box, and I feel better.
HOWEVER, I'm going to order a Odyssey battery, and get away from the Motorcraft battery all together. I'll find someone who is in need of a battery, and make them a helluva deal on one.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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At least you got a new one free.
sometines they just go bad.
my own experience was that I would replace my Motorcraft every three years; cost averages out to about $40 per year, which isn't too bad. . One year I forgot to replace one and it died in the 38th month.
started using Northstar AGMs in 2017; they are still going strong.
sometines they just go bad.
my own experience was that I would replace my Motorcraft every three years; cost averages out to about $40 per year, which isn't too bad. . One year I forgot to replace one and it died in the 38th month.
started using Northstar AGMs in 2017; they are still going strong.
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Joined: May 2005
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From: San Antonio, TX
When mine went at exactly 2 years, I didn't even bother with the waste of time and effort (as the battery was totally dead) it would take to go to the dealer, then wait for it. I bought a Deka O'Reiley's branded Super Start. 3 years an 10 months later and zero issues.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Southeast Kansas
True I got a free replacement.
HOWEVER, here's a question.
seville 009. You say you are using a Northstar AGM in your 2017. Mine is a 2015. Are you having any problems with it being a AGM battery?
HOWEVER, here's a question.
seville 009. You say you are using a Northstar AGM in your 2017. Mine is a 2015. Are you having any problems with it being a AGM battery?
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Was (am) very satisfied with the Northstar AGMs.
Put them in three vehicles in 9/2017 - a 2006 F350 and a 2011 F350 (both gas engines) and a 2013 Taurus.
Was a noticeable difference in starting as soon as I put them in - stronger and quicker starting.
Used the trucks for plowing; much less drawdown (ie:lights dimming) when plowing. Quick starts in sub zero temps.
Those three vehicles are gone now, but I kept the Northstars (always kept my old batteries as spares, so stuck old batteries in their place before I got rid of the vehicles). Two are now in two 2019 Explorers, and one is just sitting as a spare.
Both my trucks had wire shorting issues (a lot of rusting where I am; broken wires). The shorting drained the batteries a number of times while I was trying to figure out the cause. Each time though, the battery fired right up when I put a booster pack on (Noco Genius GB150). I then fully recharged each battery each time (with a Noco AGM charger), and they charged right up.
Still working perfectly as of today.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Southeast Kansas
I'm considering the NORTHSTAR, and the ODYSSEY AGM. Supposedly owed by the same company.
I put a ODYSSEY in my boat. I from a 750 CCA Optima to a 1150 ODYSSEY. My boat NEVER started that easily before.
My personal trucks/cars, always had a Motorcraft battery, (I've always owned FORDS), but when Motorcraft went to the "3" year battery, I was working for a dealership, and had to tell some customers that they only got "3" years when I replaced their faulty batteries. People were NOT happy, to say the least.
At 19 months on the battery that I had replaced, kinda set me back. My truck is garaged everyday, and taken care of.
I realize that batteries can go bad. BUT the whole 3 year thing just irked me.
Thanx, for your reply !!!
I put a ODYSSEY in my boat. I from a 750 CCA Optima to a 1150 ODYSSEY. My boat NEVER started that easily before.
My personal trucks/cars, always had a Motorcraft battery, (I've always owned FORDS), but when Motorcraft went to the "3" year battery, I was working for a dealership, and had to tell some customers that they only got "3" years when I replaced their faulty batteries. People were NOT happy, to say the least.
At 19 months on the battery that I had replaced, kinda set me back. My truck is garaged everyday, and taken care of.
I realize that batteries can go bad. BUT the whole 3 year thing just irked me.
Thanx, for your reply !!!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,909
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From: Burleson, Tx
I went with this one a little over a year ago and so far so good: https://www.batteriesplus.com/produc...um/sli94ragmdp
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From: Southeast Kansas
A friend of mine said he would buy the new MC battery for his wife's truck, as he thinks the battery in it is the original. (He just got the truck a while back).
SO, now I have to make a choice.
LOL
SO, now I have to make a choice.
LOL
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Southeast Kansas
UPDATE: I put an ODYSSEY 94R ODP-AGM94R in my truck today. It has 850 CCA, is 80A, 1500 Cranking Amps for 5 seconds, 150 Minute reserve capacity.
I noticed right away that my truck took less time to start, even though the MotorCraft battery, was new, 2 days ago. The Odyssey has 120 MORE CCA than the Motor Craft had.
So far, so good.
Thanx to ALL who replied. Maybe the above information may help someone else.
P.S. I got the battery overnight.
I noticed right away that my truck took less time to start, even though the MotorCraft battery, was new, 2 days ago. The Odyssey has 120 MORE CCA than the Motor Craft had.
So far, so good.
Thanx to ALL who replied. Maybe the above information may help someone else.
P.S. I got the battery overnight.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Southeast Kansas
tseekins, I completely agree !! I've run MC batteries for years. I've worked for Auto Zone, and O'Reilly's both. ALWAYS ran the MC batteries in my vehicles.
In 2013, I put 2 Optima batteries in my boat. I finally had one go bad this last season. Replaced it with a ODYSSEY. I like to support the products of the manufacturer. In this case MotorCraft batteries. (And yes, I know, there's basically 3 battery manufacturers). But these batteries have become a joke.
As previously stated, I worked as a service writer for a FORD dealership. I sold a TON of MC batteries to a lot of people. But when they changed their warranty on their batteries, I said if mine goes out, I'm done. Their warranty is no better than AZ, or O'Reilly's.
Will see how the ODYSSEY batteries hold up.....
I watched their video on how they make them, and I was impressed.
In 2013, I put 2 Optima batteries in my boat. I finally had one go bad this last season. Replaced it with a ODYSSEY. I like to support the products of the manufacturer. In this case MotorCraft batteries. (And yes, I know, there's basically 3 battery manufacturers). But these batteries have become a joke.
As previously stated, I worked as a service writer for a FORD dealership. I sold a TON of MC batteries to a lot of people. But when they changed their warranty on their batteries, I said if mine goes out, I'm done. Their warranty is no better than AZ, or O'Reilly's.
Will see how the ODYSSEY batteries hold up.....
I watched their video on how they make them, and I was impressed.