I did couple searches on this topic and didn't find any answer. What's the expected life span of a set (two) good quality batteries on you 7.3L? I put new batteries on my about a 13 month ago. About a week ago, it started to sound weak. The truck will start every time. It just takes more turn-overs, and each turn-over sounds barely made it there. By the way the temp. here is in the 50's now, terminals are clean. Battery infor: XLT Performance Series size 65. 0-24 month free replacement by Sam's club. Even they are covered by the warranty, I'm still concerned how they would define a failed battery: by their load test in the shop or failure in my truck? I will be pretty upset if I have to spend over $100 every year on batteries> Any ideas?

 

I had a problem similiar to this in my 99 F250. Bought two brand new batteries and less than a year later the truck started cranking slower and slower ( I lived in San Antonio at the time). I determined that it wasn't weather related and even pulled the batteries out and had them tested. Both tested fine so the next logical step for me was the starter and sure enough it was determined through testing that the starter was pulling too much amperage. I replaced the starter and sure enough the thing spun right up and started.

This may or may not be your problem but its worth looking into. Hope this helps.

 

Disintegration of the main connection terminal for the starter was the cause of this on our '97 a couple of years ago. One (fairly expensive) new starter later, and it's never started better!

Duncan

 

I bought a 2001 f-250 in may of 01 and still useing same batteries and now have 110,000 miles. "motorcraft". live in east tx. where the summers are hot!
gseeders

 

i bought my '01 in sept of '00 and i still have the stock batteries and they are doing fine. my truck is kept in a heated garage,so i am sure that helps

 

Just replaced mine. 1st time they've been done. Batteries were about 8 years old. Probably just a fluke, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the new set.
Mike

 

BatteryI have a 2000 F-350 with the original motorcraft batteries. Odometer reads 114,000 miles. I Had problems and they were in the alternator. This was probaly the easiest alternator to replace yourself. Easy to get at.

 

Bought my 01 F250 CC 4X4 Lariat in November 2000. Sill have original batteries. Not garage kept, can't fit, too tall.

 

I just changed the original batteries in my 96' a few months ago. They still checked out OK but I just thought 8 years was good enough. I did save the old ones and am planning on putting them in my 75'. There is no reason you should have to change your batteries every year. There is something else wrong in your system. Check the alternator, starter, cables and connections.

 

Guys, I found this thread a great read and sort of funny. Funny because this past summer I just replaced the original batterys on my 95'. I have serviced the truck to the Nth degree, including the two batterys since I had got her when new.

I just thought this seemed kind of weird so did some digging into this battery life on the Ford battery. My truck came with the big size as some diesels don't. BTX 65 850, they have 850 cold cranking amps. With the warranty these come with from Ford and the service I got from mine, heck I put two more on...Like 79 bucks for each if memory is right.

Also found out that if you would take the power from the truck and let the computor, power completely down, it will dump the learning process of its power needs and running habits. This will be really good if you have had lots of town driving and not much pulling or needs for the extra power needed for some time or if you have had trouble starting for some time. Mine got to where it just didn't seem to pull my G neck trailer as well as it use too. Feared the worst, all it was about was this learning abilities the computor has to make the motor run more consistant from what the guys at the Ford house told me. Sure enough helped mine anyway. I do dump the computor with a power down now every year when a handy time frame for me.

133K on mine now and better than she has ever been. Coarse I have done lots of reading for quite sometime here and have made lots of changes to the truck with the reading here LOL. Still almost made 10 years on the original batterys, not bad if you ask me. Love my 95 and will keep her longer, went out of town this past weekend for just a drive and stay at a B &B over night. The PSD pulled 19.4 MPG on a 600 mile round trip with most speeds just under 70 on the road. I get the distinct feeling I could pull down 20 MPG if I could drive 60 MPH. I had the wife with me this past weekend or I would have never been able to keep the truck under 70 LOL... With the way I normally drive her at 73-75 on the road I will get 17 and change, still not to bad I don't think anyway.

 

I've got a 95, still has the original batteries.


TW

 

Way to go Diesel T, I could not make mine as she got to where she was dragging the starter down at first crank in the morning, so I R&R'd mine then. You have the 850's on your???

 

Rowdyone, glad to hear that you have the same truck. Mine is 95, 7.3L, F350, red, crewcab with a red chip box built on top of the dump bed. Anyone know what they call the body style of these lovely ruggid trucks we have with more edges and squares than those new "slick city looking" ones, if you know what I mean. I just can't picture myself driving one of those rounded corner toy trucks. Hope that I didn't affend anyone.

 

Hey Guy, I see our body style here mentioned OBS. Yeap, I had to ask at first what that was to. OBS(Old Body Style) Works for me LOL...If you have not seen my pic in my gallery please do check them out. The GWE is better than ever...

 

Commonly referred to as OBS or "Old Body Style".
There have been several threads and even a poll on body style preference. The consensus is: "To each, his own!"

Ouch! I see I am typing too slowly! Already been answered.