Batteries / When to Replace?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,198
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From: Tulsa, OK
Batteries / When to Replace?
When did you all replace your batteries? I was told on recent trip to Ford dealer that the passenger side battery was "weak" and may need replacement.
Excursion is 3+ years old, 95K miles, on original batteries. Going skiing in Colorado in 2 weeks, so definitely want it to be able to start.
If you did replace, what brand / experience did you have?
Excursion is 3+ years old, 95K miles, on original batteries. Going skiing in Colorado in 2 weeks, so definitely want it to be able to start.
If you did replace, what brand / experience did you have?
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,369
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From: Stuttgart, Ar
Three years isn't really old for batteries these days. Although Autozone is the top consumer rated battery (I couldn't believe it either) I would opt for the Optima yellow tops. A little pricey, but great performance. They should be replaced in pairs as you probably already know or the old battery will just run the new battery down to it's level.
New User
Joined: Sep 2006
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Both Batteries in my 2000 excursion 7.3 psd were done at three years as were both batteries in my 96 F 350 Crew Cab Long bed 7.3 psd. In fact my riding mowers, 4 wheelers and boat bateries are usualy dust in three years too. Loose em. I would not consider spending the extra money on the optima batteries unless you need them to work when your upside down.
New User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22
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From: west covina usa
just did last week
i just replaced both batteries last week. my truck is an 03 with 110,000 miles on it,still had the stock motorcraft batteries .my pass side was weak also. bought the autozone gold,850 cold cranking amps. good stuff 
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 121
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From: greenwell springs, la.
Originally Posted by bf250
my batteries in my 1995 f350 lasted 6 years, i found out when to replace when it was very slow starting one day, i went with the optima.
3 years to me seems a bit soon to be replacing batteries.
3 years to me seems a bit soon to be replacing batteries.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,369
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
I read about the Oddesy's also, but didnt find a compatible size to fit the truck. I'm not sure of the battery size/cca's required, but I venture to say it's a pretty good bit.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Texas
[QUOTE=Forest]When did you all replace your batteries? I was told on recent trip to Ford dealer that the passenger side battery was "weak" and may need replacement.
Forest - I see where the Ford dealer told you that one side was weak. I took my 18 month old 05 in for an oil change recently at a new dealer I had not used before. They came out and told me the same thing - on battery was bad. I told them that they could replace it under warranty.
Well about 15 minutes later they come out and tell me that they had made a mistake in the testing - had some sort of technical explanation about why it had showed up bad but really wasn't.
Any of you dealer mechanics know what test my dealer would have done wrong to show a bad battery that wasn't?
Forest - I see where the Ford dealer told you that one side was weak. I took my 18 month old 05 in for an oil change recently at a new dealer I had not used before. They came out and told me the same thing - on battery was bad. I told them that they could replace it under warranty.
Well about 15 minutes later they come out and tell me that they had made a mistake in the testing - had some sort of technical explanation about why it had showed up bad but really wasn't.
Any of you dealer mechanics know what test my dealer would have done wrong to show a bad battery that wasn't?
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 491
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From: Fort Fun
FWIW, I just put two new NAPA batteries in my 2003 at 96,000 miles. They were the original Motorcraft batteries and were shot. Locally my NAPA guys take care of me with warranties on batteries.
I did just find out that my alternator is shot and is in the shop for replacement. I started up the truck at my jobsite ready for a 1.5 hour drive home. Got about 45-50 minuets away and the dash gagues go dead. Shortly after that the tranny SLAMS me hard. "Maybe it is time to pull over now" I think. Long and short of it - towed to dealer, diagnosed at bad alternator, installing new one as we speak. I will let you all know how much this alternator deal is going to cost me.
Big
I did just find out that my alternator is shot and is in the shop for replacement. I started up the truck at my jobsite ready for a 1.5 hour drive home. Got about 45-50 minuets away and the dash gagues go dead. Shortly after that the tranny SLAMS me hard. "Maybe it is time to pull over now" I think. Long and short of it - towed to dealer, diagnosed at bad alternator, installing new one as we speak. I will let you all know how much this alternator deal is going to cost me.
Big
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Republic of Texas
Guages . . .
So why don't these trucks have a volt meter on them? You could have seen this coming as the volts dropped off and the charging started down the crapper . . .
You would think this would be a stock item?
You would think this would be a stock item?
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Fort Fun
Got the tally on the new alternator: $475.xx. Man, I shoulda done that one myself.
Don't have the towing bill yet though...
Sorry if I am hijacking the thread. I'll stop. That volt meter would be nice...
Don't have the towing bill yet though...
Sorry if I am hijacking the thread. I'll stop. That volt meter would be nice...