Since all the cold weather, my 1997 5.4L starting has been slower and longer. I checked the battery voltage after all night in the cold two nights...right at 12 volts. No load charging voltage was 14.75 volts. Truck has 80K miles, and is an original battery. Is my battery going north?

 

When you say starting is slower, do you mean that the starter is turning at a slower RPM than usual? If so, given the age of your battery, it may be the culprit. You may want to measure the voltage with the engine off and the battery under load. Turn the parking lights on and measure. If it drops way down, your battery is heading South. I would replace it anyway.

 

It is normal to turn a bit slower when it is cold.

 

Mobil 1 5W-30 oil may help keep it turning faster than dinosaur juice, even in the cold. I'll check the B+ with lights on this a.m.

 

Your battery is 7 years old now. I'd get it tested. It probably needs to be replaced.

 

18 degrees this a.m.

Battery voltage 12.02 vDC.

Lights on high, radio, and fan on high, engine off--voltage dropped to 11.25 vDC.

Charging with above loads, voltage 14.25 vDC.

I think it's time for a new battery too.

 

Just put an official Motorcraft BXT-65-850 in my 97 F150 and love it. Cranks like a zig-zagging wild man. Fits exactly right, uses the same hold-down block, and was only $92. Biggest problem was figuring out how to remove the carrying handle! Needed an engineer for that.