Would you replace this battery?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 275
From: South Central Indiana
Would you replace this battery?
I still have the original group 65 Motorcraft battery in my 17' F-250 gasser. It's never leaked and load tests in the green but very close to weak. If I don't drive the truck for 5 days or so, the battery gets a tender. Although the truck starts fine, I can tell sometimes that it drags just a little. I do carry a Hulkman charging pack in case the battery suddenly craps out. Current battery has 650cca and if I replace I would go with the Walmart Everstart Maxx but with 850cca. 3 year full replacement and Walmarts are everywhere. Is it ok to jump up to 850cca from 650? Don't want to hurt anything sensitive, lol. I know I'm playing with fire relying on a battery that old but it's almost become a challenge as to how long I can keep this thing going.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 539
From: DFW
I'm of the school that as soon as you start noticing a lagging start/ignition, it's time to make a change. That avoids getting stranded somewhere either just you, someone driving your truck (i.e. family member) or your significant other. I'm sure most of us on this forum will notice a slight hesitation immediately. The sound it makes when it turns over is very familiar so it's easy to notice, "Hmm, that was a little different than it normally is..." I would always rather be proactive than reactive. Batteries never fail in a good location or at a convenient time, never.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 7,975
Likes: 4,055
The BSM will start shutting the radio down moments after turning the truck off. That is when it is time to replace it. When you open the door and after a minute or two a message displays saying to save the battery, NOW is the time to replace.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 696
Yes, I would change it at your next opportunity. For the money, I prefer to have confidence the battery will do its job rather than wonder if it will fail when starting the truck. Even with a readily available jump pack, I would change the battery now, when it is a convenient time, rather than being forced to change it at who knows when.
Another thought, as the battery weakens, it starts causing electrical anomalies. These are generally just annoyances but can affect the truck's operation.
A personal story. The 5-1/2 year old battery in my Chrysler Pacifica gave little advance warning of failure. It worked perfectly fine up to the day I sensed a very slight hesitation when starting. It started fine and drove fine. I left it in a parking lot for 2 or 3 hours. When I returned the battery was too weak to unlock the doors with the fob. I had to use the mechanical key in the driver's door. Fortunately, I had a jump pack and was soon on my way. I had to replace the battery that day.
Another thought, as the battery weakens, it starts causing electrical anomalies. These are generally just annoyances but can affect the truck's operation.
A personal story. The 5-1/2 year old battery in my Chrysler Pacifica gave little advance warning of failure. It worked perfectly fine up to the day I sensed a very slight hesitation when starting. It started fine and drove fine. I left it in a parking lot for 2 or 3 hours. When I returned the battery was too weak to unlock the doors with the fob. I had to use the mechanical key in the driver's door. Fortunately, I had a jump pack and was soon on my way. I had to replace the battery that day.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 275
From: South Central Indiana
I'm of the school that as soon as you start noticing a lagging start/ignition, it's time to make a change. That avoids getting stranded somewhere either just you, someone driving your truck (i.e. family member) or your significant other. I'm sure most of us on this forum will notice a slight hesitation immediately. The sound it makes when it turns over is very familiar so it's easy to notice, "Hmm, that was a little different than it normally is..." I would always rather be proactive than reactive. Batteries never fail in a good location or at a convenient time, never.
Another question I have; Is it possible to hook something like a charger or another battery via jumper cables to the trucks cables while removing the battery to save the presets in the truck? I surely don't want to hurt the PCM, ECM or any of the other CM's in there, lol.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,964
Likes: 2,662
From: The Great State of Texas
There are two items on my truck that are aftermarket. Batteries and shocks. Parts counter Motorcraft batteries are entirely crap.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,477
Likes: 4,972
I'm cheap, so long as I have a good jumper pack with me, I won't mess with a battery until I have to.
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