250 Shut Down
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250 Shut Down
My '01 F-250 7.3 has shut down over night.
I was going to work on Friday and the truck has zero batteries left.
It just drained over night!?
Now it won't take or keep a charge!
Any thoughts on what could be draining the juice from my batteries?
Needs amswers,
Gold Digger
I was going to work on Friday and the truck has zero batteries left.
It just drained over night!?
Now it won't take or keep a charge!
Any thoughts on what could be draining the juice from my batteries?
Needs amswers,
Gold Digger
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Welcome to FTE. It is unusual for batteries to completely drain overnight unless you left something on. What happens when you turned the key the first time? Are you sure the starter isn't just hung up? Did you recharge or jump the batteries and they did it again? Have you checked the battery cables, grounds, and alternator connection for corrosion or loose connections? Did the battery light ever come on when you were driving it? Have you put a multi meter on the batteries and alternator? Batteries should be around 12v with the engine off. If you jump start the truck, alternator should put out around 14.1v with the engine running.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
Chances are you discharged the batteries while you were driving last night. A bad alternator will pull a battery down to the point it won't accept a charge. Sometimes if you hit them with a cranking charge from a battery charger, 60amp plus for a few seconds, you can shock them back. The will not last the season, but you may can get them to take a charge and get your truck somewhere else. The battery light should have come on as some point if this is the case.
As far as draining sources, the headllights are alway suspect. Then the list grows. One question, are you sure your batteries are dead and not just a bad connection?
As far as draining sources, the headllights are alway suspect. Then the list grows. One question, are you sure your batteries are dead and not just a bad connection?
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Well, I guess more info would help you help me!!
Both alternaters are less than a year old.
One battery is 2 1/2 and the other about 1 year old.
My battery light comes on occationally, mostly @ idle and engine warm.
I run about 100 miles a day.
I did not leave the lights on and I did nothing different from my usual routine when shutting it down for the day.
When it didn't crank up in the morning, I checked the lights first. When I turned the light switch back off the # 1 Relay under the dash started clicking.
I replaced this today.
Jumping the engine just got the cables hot and almost started.
Within 10 minutes, no power.
Gold Digger
Both alternaters are less than a year old.
One battery is 2 1/2 and the other about 1 year old.
My battery light comes on occationally, mostly @ idle and engine warm.
I run about 100 miles a day.
I did not leave the lights on and I did nothing different from my usual routine when shutting it down for the day.
When it didn't crank up in the morning, I checked the lights first. When I turned the light switch back off the # 1 Relay under the dash started clicking.
I replaced this today.
Jumping the engine just got the cables hot and almost started.
Within 10 minutes, no power.
Gold Digger
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Well I'd start by saying double check the battery connections and grounds, but also ALWAYS replace both batteries at the same time. Otherwise you'll end up with one bad battery that pulls the other one down. There's a chance that your 2 1/2 year old battery was being stressed before you put the 1 year old battery in it. Now the older battery has failed and taken the new battery with it.
Dual alts on a 250 is unusual. I'd get them both checked out. I recently was reminded that a failing alternator (dash light came on sometimes) could kill 3 year old batteries. Luckily I noticed a slower crank at start up, tested the batteries and replaced them before I got stuck somewhere. The auto parts stores will test your batts & alternator for free. If the cables look good I'd get some free tests done. If one battery comes back bad make sure you replace them both. Also batteries should be load tested while disconnected from each other.
Dual alts on a 250 is unusual. I'd get them both checked out. I recently was reminded that a failing alternator (dash light came on sometimes) could kill 3 year old batteries. Luckily I noticed a slower crank at start up, tested the batteries and replaced them before I got stuck somewhere. The auto parts stores will test your batts & alternator for free. If the cables look good I'd get some free tests done. If one battery comes back bad make sure you replace them both. Also batteries should be load tested while disconnected from each other.
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Cleaning all batt connections was my 1st move. Slight corrosion but not bad.
Why would the charge in the batteries, although minimal from todays try, drain out when nothing is on and the truck locked?
I've been thinking it could be a relay or something like that?!
I'll but 2 new batteries and get these "new" alternators checked out.
May still be under a warranty?
Thank you all for your input.
Why would the charge in the batteries, although minimal from todays try, drain out when nothing is on and the truck locked?
I've been thinking it could be a relay or something like that?!
I'll but 2 new batteries and get these "new" alternators checked out.
May still be under a warranty?
Thank you all for your input.
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10-4
I'll get back on it tomorrow.
I've got to get this beast up & running.
This is the biggest tool in my inventory and some people see it as a toy but my wife calls it a money pit.
Thanks again guys!!
I'll get back on it tomorrow.
I've got to get this beast up & running.
This is the biggest tool in my inventory and some people see it as a toy but my wife calls it a money pit.
Thanks again guys!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Well you've just found the best tool in the shed for dealing with the truck. We also have a section here dedicated to nothing but the 99 - 03 7.3 motor. It's located a little further down the forum listing, or here's a link to it. 1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Spend some time reading down there and you'll soon be able to do almost anything you need to under the hoos.
Spend some time reading down there and you'll soon be able to do almost anything you need to under the hoos.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
Cleaning all batt connections was my 1st move. Slight corrosion but not bad.
Why would the charge in the batteries, although minimal from todays try, drain out when nothing is on and the truck locked?
I've been thinking it could be a relay or something like that?!
I'll but 2 new batteries and get these "new" alternators checked out.
May still be under a warranty?
Thank you all for your input.
Why would the charge in the batteries, although minimal from todays try, drain out when nothing is on and the truck locked?
I've been thinking it could be a relay or something like that?!
I'll but 2 new batteries and get these "new" alternators checked out.
May still be under a warranty?
Thank you all for your input.
When you attempt to jump it, you need to hook both batteries up with two cables and hook to very high amp batteries like another diesel. If your alts are bad, you truck will die when jumpers are unhooked. If they are weak, it will die when you add a load like horn, headlights, fans or combo of all. Make sure you connections on the alts are good.
Good luck.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
2. My aging parents and in-laws couldn't get in (maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing...
)3. $$$$
I want to get a level kit for the front then I'll be happy. We need to see photos of your truck now though!
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Hey all,
I got the 250 back on th road!!!!
Chris & Barry, you were right!
One bad batt started the spiral downword.
Checked out the alts & they are fine. Both reading 15+ amps.
2 new batts and we're slinging mud again!
Thank you all for the assistance.
Next step; Bushwacker Cut-outs!!
Chace,
I've got 2 girls myself. One wants to drive it and the other one named it Gold Digger.
They love riding in it, especially wheelin'.
As far the the aging parent thing; I kept a 2' step ladder in the back to get my Mom up to the running boards so she could step in! It was kind of cool, just like walking up the stairs.
And the photo?
How do I get these on here?
I got the 250 back on th road!!!!
Chris & Barry, you were right!
One bad batt started the spiral downword.
Checked out the alts & they are fine. Both reading 15+ amps.
2 new batts and we're slinging mud again!
Thank you all for the assistance.
Next step; Bushwacker Cut-outs!!
Chace,
I've got 2 girls myself. One wants to drive it and the other one named it Gold Digger.
They love riding in it, especially wheelin'.
As far the the aging parent thing; I kept a 2' step ladder in the back to get my Mom up to the running boards so she could step in! It was kind of cool, just like walking up the stairs.
And the photo?
How do I get these on here?