Battery ???
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Powerstroke Doctor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 474
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From: Loxahatchee, FL
Battery ???
I just replaced my alternator 2 weeks ago and I just noticed the past couple of starts my truck is slow to start. Well my truck sat for 2 days and I went to start it today and nothing. I just got my truck last june and it came with 2 Interstate batteries and the dates on them are June 04 and the label says 85 month warranty. I'm tight on money due to an injury that is keeping me from working. So my question is will that warranty be good to me without a reciept and not being the origanl purchaser?? And I heard if you replace 1 battery there other one could damage the new battery so would warranty cover 1 of them or both of them???
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Joined: Feb 2005
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The warranty should be fine... on the higher-end batteries (I've done it on Optimas), they'll look at the date code on the battery and warranty based on that if you don't have a receipt.
The batteries will need to fail on their tester... more than likely, if you got no reaction out of the truck, both batteries are shot. If the batteries don't fail, well, let's just say there are ways to kill a battery quickly.
I might not volunteer the fact that the alternator just failed... don't want them to think that it's your fault.
The batteries will need to fail on their tester... more than likely, if you got no reaction out of the truck, both batteries are shot. If the batteries don't fail, well, let's just say there are ways to kill a battery quickly.
I might not volunteer the fact that the alternator just failed... don't want them to think that it's your fault.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
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From: Albuquerque
Also...do not tell them you are not the original purchaser. What they might try to do is charge them up...and see if they hold the charge. With any luck...they will not...and you walk out with 2 new batteries.
Now...you just need to find the cause...
biz
_____________________________
2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s
Now...you just need to find the cause...
biz
_____________________________
2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s
Thread Starter
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Powerstroke Doctor
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Loxahatchee, FL
Well today I was looking at the batteries and I realized they aren't maintenance free like all the other batteries I have gotten used to well I checked the water and they were almost empty so I filled them up and Charged them Truck started up fine. I let it sit about 6 hours and just went to start it, it was slow to start again. So most likey the batteries could have went bad from low water??
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
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From: Albuquerque
How long you charge the batteries? What amp rate? It could be that you did not charge them up all the way...and after charging batteries, it is a good idea to run the truck. Take a nice long 20-30 mile drive and let the alt keep the charge going.
biz
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2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s
biz
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2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s
Thread Starter
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Powerstroke Doctor
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Loxahatchee, FL
I charged both batteries 2 hrs each at 6 amp then I let the truck run for about 45 minutes. I would love to drive it but due to my ankle injury that isn't possible right now.
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Powerstroke Doctor
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Loxahatchee, FL
Ok so my truck sat all night and I went to start it nothing. So first question, would it be ok to take my batteries out and go to an Interstate dealer?? Reason being I can't drive so I would have to have somebody take me. Or would they need the whole truck?? Second question, Do you think they are not holding a charge because they were low on water and that damaged the battery?? or could something be draining the battery?? And how would I check for this??
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Albuquerque
Well first off, IMHO, I do not think you allowed your batteries to be charged long enough...if they were dead. 2hrs at 6amps is just not enough time. Here is a quote as a rule of thumb about charging.
Now back to your questions:
Should be fine just removing the batteries and taking them to the Interstate dealer. May need to mention that your SD charging system is working fine only if asked.
The batteries are probably damaged and need replacing, but the dealer will let you know.
One easy way to check if you have a drain or open circuit is to disconnect the negative cable. Making sure all electrical sources are out (dome light, ignition off, etc.). Then with a test light...touch both the negative side of the battery post and the negative battery cable. If the light goes on, then you have an open circuit. Now the real work begins. One way is to keep the test light connected...and start pulling fuses. When you pull a fuse and the light goes out, then you found the circuit.
Hope this helps some...Good luck!
biz
_______________________________
2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s
What size is your battery? What that means is not physical size, but how many Amp hours does your battery store. As an example, a typical full size auto battery is about 50 amp hours, and it would take a 10 amp charger approximately 6 hours to recharge it if the battery were completely dead.
As a rule of thumb take the amp hour rating of the battery and divide by the charger rating (amps) and then add about 10% for the extra time to totally top off the battery, This will give you total charge time.
Some folks need to size the charge for quick recharge, therefore requiring more amps from their charger. Others are not in a hurry and may select a smaller charger. The most important thing here is to make sure you have enough charger power to do the job you require in the time you allocate.
As a rule of thumb take the amp hour rating of the battery and divide by the charger rating (amps) and then add about 10% for the extra time to totally top off the battery, This will give you total charge time.
Some folks need to size the charge for quick recharge, therefore requiring more amps from their charger. Others are not in a hurry and may select a smaller charger. The most important thing here is to make sure you have enough charger power to do the job you require in the time you allocate.
Should be fine just removing the batteries and taking them to the Interstate dealer. May need to mention that your SD charging system is working fine only if asked.
The batteries are probably damaged and need replacing, but the dealer will let you know.
One easy way to check if you have a drain or open circuit is to disconnect the negative cable. Making sure all electrical sources are out (dome light, ignition off, etc.). Then with a test light...touch both the negative side of the battery post and the negative battery cable. If the light goes on, then you have an open circuit. Now the real work begins. One way is to keep the test light connected...and start pulling fuses. When you pull a fuse and the light goes out, then you found the circuit.
Hope this helps some...Good luck!
biz
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2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s
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Thread Starter
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Powerstroke Doctor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 474
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From: Loxahatchee, FL
Yea I figured it wasn't long enough but the truck started and I thought it would be fine since it started up and I just let it run for awhile, I figured the alternator would finish them up. Thanks for your help, I'll try that. It shouldn't matter which negative cable I use should it? I'll probablly do it to both anyways.
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Powerstroke Doctor
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Loxahatchee, FL
Well this morning I got my truck runnin and I drove it to the local insterstate dealer. All I had to do was tell him the batteries lost the charge over night and he asked if my charging sysytem was good and I told him yea. He went in got 2 batteries and only charged me $39 a battery. So its good to know thats taking care. Today was the first time I drove my truck in 6 days, it felt so good, it felt like the first day I got it again.
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Powerstroke Doctor
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Loxahatchee, FL
Well I just finished replacing my HPOP and when I was done I went to reconnect the batteries and i thought now would be a good time to check to see if i have anything running down my battery. So I hook up the test light it lit up, so i started pulling fuses(damn the superduty has a lot of fuses) well I pulled every fuse one by one and nothing affected the light. At one point though something started clicking under the dash, it sounded like it was from around the steering column, and everytime it clicked the light got brighter. It was about 1 click every 2 seconds. What would have power without the batteries hooked up??? Anybody have any idea what that could be???
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2006
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One place you can check that isn't fused is the altenator itself. My old '89 F-250 one time started draining the battery overnight. I pulled everything trying to find it. Finally I was down to taking each cable off of the terminal the positive side of the battery was connected to. When I pulled the altenator cable the drain went away.
There was a short in the altenator itself. Swapped it out for a rebuilt one and cured the problem.
There was a short in the altenator itself. Swapped it out for a rebuilt one and cured the problem.
Thread Starter
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Powerstroke Doctor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 474
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From: Loxahatchee, FL
Well I did it again and unpluged the alternator, the test light stayed on. So now i've pulled every fuse with no change and the alternator, what would be some other culprits for this???
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
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From: Albuquerque
Originally Posted by 88f1504x4
Well I did it again and unpluged the alternator, the test light stayed on. So now i've pulled every fuse with no change and the alternator, what would be some other culprits for this???
The reason I ask, is because the FORD service manual states to pull fuses, but do not re-install until all fuses are out or the circuit has been isolated.
Hope that helps...
biz
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2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s