Batteries keep dying!!!HELP!!
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Joined: Dec 2004
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Batteries keep dying!!!HELP!!
We have a 2002 F-350 super Duty 7.3L diesel truck. About 2 months ago, my husband went out to leave, and the batteries were stone dead. He took it into the shop, and they said that he needed new batteries (remember truck is a 2002--only has 45K miles!). So he replaced both batteries. Now, at least 6 times in the last 3 weeks, when he goes to leave, the new batteries will be stone dead again! Sometimes, you'll drive it for 30 minutes, stop at the store, and when you come back out they'll be dead?! We have nothing in any of the power ports! We've taken it to 2 different Ford dealerships and neither one could figure out where the problem is.
Does anyone have any idea what the problem could be? We're fairly sure that there must be a major short somewhere, but we aren't sure where to look.
Does anyone have any idea what the problem could be? We're fairly sure that there must be a major short somewhere, but we aren't sure where to look.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Morgantown WV
For the batteries to be dead after a thirty minute drive in the time it takes to go into the store would cause something to burn up. Do any lights work when it will not start? Check the body and frame grounds. It sounds like a bad connection somewere to me.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,332
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From: Baltimore
It takes hours of charging to bring a totally dead battery back to servicable life. Winter is exceptionally hard on batteries due to high current drain when starting and with using lights and heater it doesn't recharge as fast. Has the alternator been checked for output and bad diodes? Even though the batteries are new one could be bad and is draining the other. Both batteries should be recharged and tested individually with the cables disconnected. If everything checks out OK check for a circuit that is staying activated when the ignition is off.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Twin Cities, MN
I think I lean more toward an alternator problem. I'd use a volt meter to check if it's producing, with and with out the batterys connected while the engine is running.
I'd rule out winter problems only cause the user profile shows Florida.
I'd rule out winter problems only cause the user profile shows Florida.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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I agree that it sounds like a wiring problem. next time the truck won't start check other lights if they work you ahve a bad connection. i have a 86 crown vic with 253000 miles I was having simuler problems. i replaced both battery connectors and sprayed off the wires and battery. problem solved. if this doesnot work do a parsitic drain test. to do this remove both negitive battery connections, turn off ALL electric assercies and put a test light between the battery and negitive wire. if the light comes on you have a drain somewhere. i hope this helps. keep us updated!
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