Right battery issues
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 6
From: Warren, Ohio
Right battery issues
I have a 21 F350 that keeps killing the battery on the passenger side. Anyone else heard of this problem? Getting ready to put the 4th battery in tomorrow. 6.7 Diesel with 354,000 miles.
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 6
From: Warren, Ohio
Corrosion is not a problem, everything is tight and clean. Last I checked, the truck was charging both batteries around 13.6. It has been a while since I checked it so I'm going off of memory but I do know it wasn't out of the normal range for charging. I do go for long distances almost every day. I don't know if that could cause an overcharge situation, but if so, why always the right side?
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 6
From: Warren, Ohio
Torqued? On battery terminals? Everything else is factory assembled. Tightened or torqued shouldn't make a difference on one battery going bad over the other. Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm not good with automotive electrical issues
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 6
From: Warren, Ohio
Torqued? On battery terminals? Everything else is factory assembled. Tightened or torqued shouldn't make a difference on one battery going bad over the other. Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm not good with automotive electrical issues
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 898
From: Dallas Metroplex
Something else to consider: Extreme heat can degrade battery effectiveness and life, in some cases even worse than extreme cold. If the insulating sleeve has been discarded the battery would be exposed to more heat (and the engine compartment gets very hot with these trucks, I've discovered; having to wait many hours to work on a cooler engine).
I've contemplated crafting better insulation for my batteries, such as a denser foam with reflective backing. It's on my ever-growing To-Do List...
Another thing to consider: Use AGM batteries. There are multiple threads regarding the difference between AGM and standard lead-acid batteries, but after only two years of life from lead-acid batteries I switched to AGMs. Time will tell if these will last longer, but I'm hopeful.
I've contemplated crafting better insulation for my batteries, such as a denser foam with reflective backing. It's on my ever-growing To-Do List...
Another thing to consider: Use AGM batteries. There are multiple threads regarding the difference between AGM and standard lead-acid batteries, but after only two years of life from lead-acid batteries I switched to AGMs. Time will tell if these will last longer, but I'm hopeful.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,301
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yes
also check the ground to frame on the bad side…the batteries are grounded independently
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,975
Likes: 2,670
From: The Great State of Texas
Corrosion is not a problem, everything is tight and clean. Last I checked, the truck was charging both batteries around 13.6. It has been a while since I checked it so I'm going off of memory but I do know it wasn't out of the normal range for charging. I do go for long distances almost every day. I don't know if that could cause an overcharge situation, but if so, why always the right side?
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 6
From: Warren, Ohio
Factory battery insulation sleeves are still present. These are all great suggestions but it still is an issue with one battery, not both. The ground to frame on that battery will be checked today and I will recheck the charging voltage. Factory battery on that side lasted 16 months, I replaced both batteries with Interstate batteries and the Interstate battery on that side lasted 15 months. I bought a Napa battery for that side and it has now failed, not sure exactly when I bought it but I'll look at my receipts today. AGM battery suggestion seems to be reasonable but I don't want to spend the extra money and ruin them too
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 579
Likes: 332
From: Southwest Michigan
I don't think 4 batteries in 354,000 miles is that bad.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 7,984
Likes: 4,058
Swap batteries, put the new one on the drivers side, the old one where the battery went bad. When was that battery last replaced? A bad battery on the drivers side can kill the passenger battery while still looking like a good battery.
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 6
From: Warren, Ohio
Both batteries replaced at 16 months. Drivers battery tests good every time. Drivers battery still tests good, passenger tests bad. Same battery every time. If driver's side was bad, changing the passenger side would be temporary at best. Last time the battery went bad, the truck wouldn't start, I was stranded in Davenport, Iowa. I replaced the passenger side and it's been fine until now. If drivers battery was bad, replacing passenger wouldn't cause the truck to start and run fine for a year or more.