Dead Battery Problem Solved
#1
Dead Battery Problem Solved
Ok, here's a little background on the problem I was having. My car isn't a daily driver and can sit for 1 to 2 weeks at a time. Every time I would go to start the car after is was sitting it wouldn't start, dead battery.
I'd have to get out my jumper pack and jump start the car although once driven it would start with no problems. This has become a regular procedure for me.
So, about 2 1/2 weeks ago I parked the car and forgot to lock the doors. I was fully prepaired to jump start the car but when I got in and turned the key it fired right up!!!
WTF!!! I'm trying a little test this time. I just got done cleaning the car and parked it in the garage. I locked the doors on purpose to see if I will need to jump the car when I take it out again. Stay tuned!!!
I'd have to get out my jumper pack and jump start the car although once driven it would start with no problems. This has become a regular procedure for me.
So, about 2 1/2 weeks ago I parked the car and forgot to lock the doors. I was fully prepaired to jump start the car but when I got in and turned the key it fired right up!!!
WTF!!! I'm trying a little test this time. I just got done cleaning the car and parked it in the garage. I locked the doors on purpose to see if I will need to jump the car when I take it out again. Stay tuned!!!
#3
Cobra Member
#7
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
Consider yourself as very fortunate, however the majority of us have encountered the exact same problems with the factory alarm's security motion sensors, draining the batteries within a 2 week period.
As I've previously mentioned, I had an independent garage run a voltage test on my car for over an hour, in which the results were 0.1 milliamps, but those results were also from the car being unlocked, and without the active security system being armed.
At the time, I didn't realize to have my car tested both with, and without the active security being armed. So I really can't say for certain if the results would've been significantly different or not.
What I do know, is this: Before suspecting the active security system, my batteries completely discharged within a 2 week period. So at that point, I finally decided to run a battery tender, and haven't experienced any problems since.
Although I no longer activate the active security system while my car is parked inside the garage. I still run the battery tender, just to be on the safe side.
As I've previously mentioned, I had an independent garage run a voltage test on my car for over an hour, in which the results were 0.1 milliamps, but those results were also from the car being unlocked, and without the active security system being armed.
At the time, I didn't realize to have my car tested both with, and without the active security being armed. So I really can't say for certain if the results would've been significantly different or not.
What I do know, is this: Before suspecting the active security system, my batteries completely discharged within a 2 week period. So at that point, I finally decided to run a battery tender, and haven't experienced any problems since.
Although I no longer activate the active security system while my car is parked inside the garage. I still run the battery tender, just to be on the safe side.
#8
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
From my understanding, you can still lock the doors without arming the security alarm's incline/motion senors. The key, is to lock them by pushing down on the door locks manually, and do not use the keyfob, or with the key itself !
#10
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
Although I definitely agree with you, it's unfortunate that with all these supposed advanced computer modules, they seem to require even more voltage, instead of actually being more efficient, and require less voltage to operate.
#12
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
Thanks for the heads up Charlie, for I ended up using the wrong choice of wording by using the term voltage, instead of current.
#13
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
I find the average person doesn't know anything about electricity and would never notice your faux paux, much less point it out.
(Charlie there is nothing average about you.)
People that are savvy about electricals know the difference.
But most people can't tell an Amp from a Volt.
#14
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
Don't feel bad.
I find the average person doesn't know anything about electricity and would never notice your faux paux, much less point it out.
(Charlie there is nothing average about you.)
People that are savvy about electricals know the difference.
But most people can't tell an Amp from a Volt.
I find the average person doesn't know anything about electricity and would never notice your faux paux, much less point it out.
(Charlie there is nothing average about you.)
People that are savvy about electricals know the difference.
But most people can't tell an Amp from a Volt.
At times, It just seems that I have a very difficult time, when it comes to expressing my thoughts properly.
Even though I know the difference, and intended to say "current" For some reason, voltage ended up entering into my thought processing instead.
At any rate: I'm certain that Charlie was just being helpful.
#15
It's this sort of thing that makes some of us think something's obviously different (and wrong) with our cars. I know mine would be dead in two weeks if I did that, and in about four weeks if I left it unlocked. This is in a fairly warm garage too. But the dealer can't seem to find anything abnormal.
#17
however with no current there can be voltage. omg chicken or the egg!! lol
anyway, any modern car is going to have systems on it that constantly use electricity. either keep the car running during storage, take the battery out, use a battery tender, or don't get active anti theft. or a combo of them all. in 2 years i have never had a weak battery
anyway, any modern car is going to have systems on it that constantly use electricity. either keep the car running during storage, take the battery out, use a battery tender, or don't get active anti theft. or a combo of them all. in 2 years i have never had a weak battery
#18
Cobra Member
Join Date: August 30, 2007
Location: Central Maryland
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well then, riddle me this, Batman?? I too have active theft on my 08. After reading about all the woes of others on this board, I began to fret if I also had this issue. See, I had an accident back in Feb. in which I was layed up for 10 weeks. My car sat outside with alarm on. when I was able to drive again, I brought with me my jumper set to be on safe side. Luckily, they were not neccessary, she fired right up!
Is it possible Ford has actually addressed this issue and fixed it in newer production models? Or is there a difference between Deluxe and Premier models in regards to Alternator or battery capacity??? Anyone know???
Is it possible Ford has actually addressed this issue and fixed it in newer production models? Or is there a difference between Deluxe and Premier models in regards to Alternator or battery capacity??? Anyone know???
#19
I don't have the factory alarm, and never lock the doors in the garage... my battery was completely dead after sitting in garage for 4 days. I was going to test for parasitic draw to see what fuse/circuit was still drawing excessive mA, but decided to just get a battery tender and be done with it. Ford replaced battery under warranty, and now I just plug in the battery tender into the dash power adapter and let it float charge.
#20