just wondering how much time i have left with my original motorcraft battery. its a 2000 with 84000 miles. its gotten pretty darn cold here in chi-town and i've been noticing that it takes a couple more cranks to start it than the last few winters.

 

That's pretty long for a factory battery. For peace of mind I'd replace it.

You can have the battery load tested, but even that won't tell you 100% if it is good.

I figure on replacing mine at around the 5 year mark, or if I notice a sudden change in cranking speed and can't attribute it to colder weather.

 

If it's slow cranking, buy a new one. Don't wait. I'm ab to buy a new battery. I'm opting for the yellow top battery. I think it's the optimum or something like that. I'm drawing some heavy current, and I'm in need of a better battery.

 

Who can say, the factory battery in my 01 still starts it right up. If it's gotten noticeably slower, I'd replace it.

 

If you are going to replace your battery, I might recommend Costco's 1000 Cold Cranking Amp battery. It is their strongest, has a three year replacement warrantee and (I think) a partial warrantee after that. It fits Rangers perfectly. You will never worry about starting with this battery. I live in Alaska. This is the battery for cars parked outdoors in the cold. One of mine is 10 years old and still going strong. Price at Costco (in Alaska): $56

 

Your favorite autoparts store should be able to give your electrical system a no cost, in vehicle, check up, with their portable tester.

It can properly load test the battery, alterntor output, it's regulator & battery cables & will likely find & flag any weak components.

Voltage drop, from poor quality corroded electrical connections, poor condition of battery cables & their connections, weak battery cells, weak diodes in the alternator, slipping alternator belt, all can cause the electrical things to have to work harder/hotter/draw more current, to try & get their respective jobs done, thus shortning their expected lives.

So as has been suggested, a thorough electrical system check up, to test & find any weak components, would be a good idea IMHO!!!

The battery may be suspect, due to it's age, but my 99 still has it's OEM Motorcraft battery & is so far still doing fine!!!!

Point is, with proper care & attention, they can work real good & last a loooong time, but seeing as how you've noticed a change that suggests all things aren't as they should be, have a complete electrical system check up, before she lays down on you.
Let us know how it goes.

 

There is really no way of telling. My ranger battery was 5.5 years old and cranked ok, took it a shop and had it load tested and it was fine. two weeks later I drove it over town and came back it was fine, later that day started to go again and it was DEAD. It would not even run the radio, guess it got a shorted plate and discharged itself. new battery and all was well. if its 5 years old replace it, sooner it shows any sign of going south. I replace mine just for peace of mind, I hate to Walk when a vehicle dosen't start. That is one of the few requirement I have for vehicles, they MUST start..
Dave

 

I'd agree with dave. At the 5 year mark, replace it. Sometimes I have noticed a slower crankspeed, sometimes the tests have shown the battery is on the outs, but I would say for me half the time the battery shows no signs of being anywhere near death and all of a sudden it is dead. And it is never at a convenient time. There is a chance you'll pull seven years out of it, but I know I don't want to risk it.

 

Some additional thoughts for consideration.

Seeing as how you've noticed a change in how the vehicle cranks & starts, seems to me it's saying something isn't as it should be.

SO, as has been suggested I'd run this puppy by your favorite autoparts store, for a no cost, in vehicle, electrical system check up, via their portable electrical system tester.

It can propely load test the entire electrical system & will likely spot any weak or questionable components.

It can properly load test the battery & likely spot things like, weak or shorted cells.
It can test the alternators rated output & check the alternators regulation under load, to spot things like worn slipring brushes, weak or shorted diodes, or even a slipping drive belt, that could be caused by a faulty belt tensioner, or fluid on the belt, like coolant or oil.

It can also spot any questionable electrical connections, like loose, corroded, oxided connections, or broken strands in the battery cables, or their connectors to the battery, engine & alternator.

All these things need to be looked after & tested once in a while, so voltage drops through them won't cause the electrical things that operate from the battery & alternator, to have to overwork themselves, from low voltage supplied.

So seeing as how you've already pickedup on some warning signs & the vintage of this ride puts it in a high risk category, IMHO now would be a good have the entire system properly tested & put right, before this puppy lays down on you some cold night!!!!

Let us know what you find.

 

Clean the terminals if they are dirty. That can make one heck of a difference.

 

i love you guys. your awsome! your all so willing to help, its cool! alright enough of that, back to trucks and batteries, manly things. lol. i really don't think i have a major issue, its just i haven't owned a vehicle this long and just wondered how long a typical battery has since i never had to worry about it before except with my gp, not even two tears old and it died, go figure, gm!. the other night it was about 14 degrees with a brisk wind into the grille. i work nights so it was outside, in fact its always outside so its in all the elements. i think when i do change it i'll be getting another motorcraft. whach ya think about that? i never heard of cosco?

 

You got a system? My dad's '92 GMC was on it's ORIGINAL battery a year ago when I decided to put four subs in just for kicks lol. Then we went ahead and bought a yellow-top for it. I'd reccomend a yellow-top if you have a system or just want the extra power. Stock Motorcraft batteries are perfectly fine, I just prefer the Optimas myself, it's what I run.

 

no system. i used to when i was a little younger. now i work in a machine shop and have been for about ten years so my ears don't need anymore torture! lol.

 

I don't have any problem with Motorcraft batteries.

As I said earlier, my 99 is still going strong on it's OEM battery.

I chose to replace my 94 Taurus OEM battery, in 00, with a slightly up graded reserve capacity Motorcraft.

It carried a three year, non prorated, free replacement, then prorated for 84 months & was about $60 bucks at my local Motorcraft distributor.

It too is still going strong!!!

I've gotten good service from all my Motorcraft batteries.
So as long as they remain cost competitive I'll likely continue to use them.

 

Thanks Pilot, that's what I've been needing to hear. Does that battery help with the lights dimming? A guy at a local shop told me that battery would just ab solve my problems.