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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 07:38 AM
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nesty
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Starting issues

Our 2000 Expedition 5.4L Triton is becoming slow to turnover and start. Battery tester shows 5 cells good, 1 fair. Chilton's manual instructs me to disable the ignition and check starter's B+ and M circuits, but does not tell me how. I thought I would just disconnect the coil until I learned each plug has an individual coil. Any thoughts or do I just stick a crowbar in my wallet and pry out $60 for one of those all-purpose testers with the battery clamps.

Thank you in advance.

Jon
 
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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 07:56 AM
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Spend $75 and buy a new battery.

Steve
 
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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 08:03 AM
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Steve,

Thank you so much for the quick response. Sorry to ask for more of your time, but I have to ask: When only one cell reads fair, remaining 5 are good, on the battery tester (old specific gravity type), it really affects the start-up that much?

Thanks again (and yes I am going to get the battery)

Jon
 
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 04:39 AM
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We install a new battery in ours every three years, whether it's bad or not. Just planned maintenance. We just don't want to take a chance and get stuck.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 06:06 AM
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Originally Posted by nesty
Steve,

Thank you so much for the quick response. Sorry to ask for more of your time, but I have to ask: When only one cell reads fair, remaining 5 are good, on the battery tester (old specific gravity type), it really affects the start-up that much?

Thanks again (and yes I am going to get the battery)

Jon
If one cell is weak, you could be loosing up to 1/6th of your cranking voltage and your cranking current is also diminished. This results in a slower starter motor speed.

When you're trying to pull 100-150 amps, yeah, it's important.

Steve
 
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 08:19 AM
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So far ALL my erratic and slow turn overs on my '97 have been bad negetive connection on my battery. I have been through a new starter, and a new battery because of that, mine didnt even show that much corrosion, but a quick soak in water and a quick back and forth motion as Im reconnecting brought it back to life. I have had the same problems with other cars, Im not sure why I started with the hardest repair. Not that it couldn't use the new starter and battery though, just ended up being the negetive connection.

Good luck
Steve
 

Last edited by ArgoExpedition; Aug 29, 2007 at 08:22 AM.
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