dead ford
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dead ford
my 97 f-150 4.6 just clicked and died when i went to start it after lunch break. I popped the hood and checked connections to battery, and i noticed my hood light was flashing at a slow pace. i got back in the truck, and my instrument panel was also flashing and dim. there is also a clicking coming from the fuse box, even with the ignition off. any ideas? Help in Ohio
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Kansas
dead ford
Your battery has shorted out! Do not jump start it! Remove the battery and replace it with a new one.
You may be able to jump start it and drive it a bit before the battery explodes. So long as you remove it - it will be fine.
You may be able to jump start it and drive it a bit before the battery explodes. So long as you remove it - it will be fine.
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dead ford
Dan, Thank you very much, that is exactly what it was, damn battery. I was ready to take it to the shop, had me stumped. the green bubble was showing on the battery, so i thought was a short somewhere in the connections. You saved me a shop charge, thank you again. I was just wondering if something caused that or if it was just time to go, It was the same Motorcraft battery since I bought it new off the lot in '97. Andy
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Kansas
dead ford
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Sep-02 AT 09:26 PM (EST)]It was time for it to go.
Heat really seems to take a toll on batteries more so then the cold does. I seem to find more batteries that short out during the "hot" months then the cooler ones.
I would say that you got your moneys worth out of it. Most OEM last 4 years. Mine shot craps last week. 4 years old and give the usual signs. One minute fine - the next: click, light flicker, etc.
Glad you got it fixed and saved some money to boot!
Heat really seems to take a toll on batteries more so then the cold does. I seem to find more batteries that short out during the "hot" months then the cooler ones.
I would say that you got your moneys worth out of it. Most OEM last 4 years. Mine shot craps last week. 4 years old and give the usual signs. One minute fine - the next: click, light flicker, etc.
Glad you got it fixed and saved some money to boot!
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Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Georgia
dead ford
My OEM battery died in the middle of summer in its 2nd year. I told the parts guy at Advance Auto that I wanted the biggest, baddest, bohoss of a battery that would fit under my hood. It seems I'm always giving someone a jump start and could use some extra power.
He gave me a Champion Gold, 1000 amp that fits perfectly and I've not had a single failure to start in the last 4 years.
OEM batteries suck.
He gave me a Champion Gold, 1000 amp that fits perfectly and I've not had a single failure to start in the last 4 years.
OEM batteries suck.
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dead ford
I had to put a new one in my '97 2 weeks ago. Went into a restaurant for lunch, came out and "CLICK" nothin'. Only load on the battery during that 45 minutes was a radar detector. Got a new one and have had no probs since.
YD
YD
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dead ford
now, after i changed my battery, another problem arose. Its stalled a few times since last night when i would come to a stop, or put it in gear. if it doesnt stall, it dips just under 500 rpm and rough idles fro 400 to 700. any ideas?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
dead ford
Sounds like the computer is running test of the various systems. It should stop very soon. If it doesn't I would expect a check engine light to come on pretty quick telling you that some stupid emission device shot craps during the voltage spikes from the dying battery.
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dead ford