My 2003 F150, 4.2 Automatic, 91000 miles, original owner, original battery, quit on me after making several stops around town today.

No problems until the last stop and tried starting it after leaving the store. The key would not turn the ignition switch from unlock, and there were no dome lights, etc. Played with the key a little, and it finally went to the start position, but would not even click or turn over. Funny "clicking" noises from the fuse box area, like a turn signal relay makes. The power door locks were locking and unlocking by themselves.

Roadside assistance came and jumped the truck. Had to let him stay hooked up about 5 minutes before the engine turned over and started. Drove 35 miles home, left the engine running and put a volt meter on the battery. Read 14.05. Shut off the engine and read 12.83.

After 5 minutes in the garage being shut off, everything was dead again, and battery was reading 12.77. Now after 30 minutes, battery still at 12.77 but dead as a door nail trying to start it. No dome lights, etc.

What do you think, battery, ignition switch, some type of power "point", etc? Still under the Ford Extended Service Plan until 100K with about 14 months left, 0 deductible.

I'm thinking a trip to the dealer?
.

 

Sounds like a bad battery. You can get it load tested, but all the signs are there.

 

a 2003 could be made in later 2002. that makes an original battery 6 years old. do you have the original battery?

 

after that many miles on the original battery, that's probably it. I would take the battery to autozone and have it tested and the alt. too.
But if you're sure it's covered under warranty, don't even bother messing with it, take it to the dealer and have it checked out and any other problems you might have while you still can.

 

Yes, original battery so I will replace it first thing in the morning. The battery is not covered under the warranty at this point in time, so I can replace it with a Motorcraft battery for quite a bit less than the dealer would.

If that does not solve the problem, than it is off to the dealer, since anything else should be covered under the ESP.

 

Before pullling the battery, measure the battery voltage at its post while hitting the start position of the ignition switch.

If the battery voltage drops like a rock, the battery is bad.

If the battery voltage stays constant (or nearly so), then the battery isn't the problem.

Personally, I suspect you have a wiring or other electrical circuit fault.

Steve

 

Had similar problem with my 02. Overdrive wire near ignition switch was shorted out on shift rod. Caused door locks, automatic headlights, and overdrive fuse to blow. Removed ignition switch and plastic shroud around switch, and found naked wire rubbing on shift rod. Taped it with electrical tape and solved problem. Since door locks are acting crazy, you may want to check it. Only four screws and shroud is off. Good Luck.
Wilburn

 

This morning I checked the battery voltage which was at 12.7 Tried starting the truck and the voltage dropped to the 5.6 range. I am going to replace the battery and see what happens.

No blown fuses that I can find. Just seems strange that with the voltage reading in the 12.7 range under no load, everything in the truck is dead (power locks, dome light, etc) Maybe I have two things going on, will find out after putting in a new battery after having this one checked as suggested.

Thanks, Steve in Dallas

 

Bad battery is confirmed.

Hopefully, that's it. Let us know.

Steve

 

Had the battery checked and load tested at AutoZone, showed that the battery was bad. Went to the Ford dealer and got a replacement. Truck starts right up, all power items are working.

Only thing NOT working is the "Theft" light in the dash which use to flash when the truck was shut off. It does not come on now. I am checking the manual and service manuals to see if it needs to be re-set, or will re-set itself after a certain time.

Thanks for everyones help.

Steve in Dallas

 

Theft light now working, I will keep an eye on it.