I own an '02, 350, cc, sw, 7.3L, with 80,000 miles. My truck has had difficulty starting the last few days. I live in Wyoming, and it has been pretty cold, I always plug the truck in. Lately when I turn my truck to the start position to wait for the glow plugs, the check gage light comes on with the battery indication. I checked my batteries and saw the driver's side had a red light or color near one of the post. The passenger side did not have any color. I checked the batteries and they still have a charge, or can take one, but I am not sure what that red light means. Does anyone have any information on this, and is it time to replace the batteries? Thanks for the help.

AJV

 

If I am not mistaken the light should be green when they are good but then it my depend on the battery company who made them they may use a different indicator light. I would see if you could look up the manufacture of the batteries to see if they have any info on there site if possible.

 

Thanks Tracy, I check on that.

AJV

 

If by "light" you mean the status indicator window, they are indeed supposed to be green. They usually have some color to them, if there's none in one, it means the level is low. I had one die on my '02 (red indicator), and it got pretty slow to start. I replaced them with Duralast Golds from AutoZone. There are a few options out there for batteries, just make sure you replace both. Six years is a pretty good life off your stock ones (if indeed they are stock), so it sounds like it's time...

 

The "light" on batteries are at best just a basic indicator of battery status. Green is the color to see if you want to look. No light is not good and I can only guess red is bad. Have someone check voltage at batteries while you crank the truck, I'm going bet it is falling well below 12.5 volts and that ain't enough. Change them both with a good quality battery and you will be good to go. Are you still on the original batteries?

 

Thanks everyone, the truck still has the stock batteries, and the indicator windows are red and no color, I guess there shot. Thanks for the advice on the battery brands also. Merry Christmas.

AJV

 

Change them and you will be amazed at how fast that engine will spin and crank. Post back and let us know if and how that works.

 

I am putting new batteries in tomorrow. Joe suggested Duralast Gold's, anyother suggestions on batteries?

AJV

 

I've had my truck for 2 years and it's got Walmart batteries in it. I have no idea how long they were in there before I bought the truck. So far they have been great. A couple of 10F days so far this year with no problems. When mine crap the bed it'll be wally world batteries for me again.