Dead Battery Already???
Cobra R Member
Joined: January 15, 2007
Posts: 1,581
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From: Hampton Roads, VA
Boomer, thanks for the post. I had seen that one, but it doesn't seem to be a TSB for replacing any components. Its just stating how to charge it.
Do you know if there is a TSB for actually replacing the battery or any other part?
Do you know if there is a TSB for actually replacing the battery or any other part?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: January 5, 2006
Posts: 11
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Thanks to everybody for the help. I do have the security system and it was armed. I figured this was the problem. It was also colder than usual in So Cal last week. DarkFireGT, thanks for fixing my window problem!
I love this site.
THANKS!
I love this site.
THANKS!
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: August 7, 2006
Posts: 16,113
Likes: 789
From: In Boredom
Anybody ever heard anything like this??
I Have No Life
Joined: January 30, 2004
Posts: 10,446
Likes: 12
From: Canada
Yes...
Just starting it..and letting it run for 20 minutes..will not keep the battery charged all winter. (again, length of winter between drives, and temp. play a big factor)...this was even after turning off the motion sensors.
I did it for a while, and it still went dead.
After a while trying to start the car resulted in a pulsating wierd sound comming from the rear right of the car. (Basically the fuel pump didn't have enough juice to work)
Best thing... keep the battery charged up before you put the car away,
and then disconnect it, then put a pulse/trickle charger on it.
----------------------------
Just be sure after reconnecting the battery 2 things:
1 ) have the FOB handy... when you reconnect the battery, the alarm is going to go off and a 'security event' on your dash. (don't hit your head on the hood)
2 ) Look in the owners manual for the proper procedure of recalibrating the car after battery hookup/replacement
ie: letting it idle for 2 min, turning on the AC for 2 min, then idle for 2 minute, then a 20 k drive (something along those lines, i may be way off on it...just look it up in the manual. this is just an example)
Just starting it..and letting it run for 20 minutes..will not keep the battery charged all winter. (again, length of winter between drives, and temp. play a big factor)...this was even after turning off the motion sensors.
I did it for a while, and it still went dead.
After a while trying to start the car resulted in a pulsating wierd sound comming from the rear right of the car. (Basically the fuel pump didn't have enough juice to work)
Best thing... keep the battery charged up before you put the car away,
and then disconnect it, then put a pulse/trickle charger on it.
----------------------------
Just be sure after reconnecting the battery 2 things:
1 ) have the FOB handy... when you reconnect the battery, the alarm is going to go off and a 'security event' on your dash. (don't hit your head on the hood)
2 ) Look in the owners manual for the proper procedure of recalibrating the car after battery hookup/replacement
ie: letting it idle for 2 min, turning on the AC for 2 min, then idle for 2 minute, then a 20 k drive (something along those lines, i may be way off on it...just look it up in the manual. this is just an example)
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: October 2, 2006
Posts: 4,777
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From: Southeast Michigan
The alternator can produce up to about 80A at idle, and max output (135A-200A depending on alternator capacity) is attained at around 2000 RPM.
If you figure the starter draws about 500A for 5 seconds, that's about 0.7A-h drained from the battery (rough estimate). With up to 80A output, you could idle for about 1 minute and recharge the energy lost during startup. If you keep the battery charged up fairly frequently, it won't be extremely difficult to charge it back up. now if the battery is almost fully depleted, starting it up every week and running it for a few minutes won't do it ANY good.
A glimpse of the state of charge can be obtained by measuring the open circuit voltage across the terminals. Anything well below 12.00V DC is cause for concern. It's also a good idea to measure the parasitic current drain when everything is shut off. I recall anything more than 250mA is bad. At 250mA of current drain, a 60A-h battery will last approximately 10 days without being recharged.
If you figure the starter draws about 500A for 5 seconds, that's about 0.7A-h drained from the battery (rough estimate). With up to 80A output, you could idle for about 1 minute and recharge the energy lost during startup. If you keep the battery charged up fairly frequently, it won't be extremely difficult to charge it back up. now if the battery is almost fully depleted, starting it up every week and running it for a few minutes won't do it ANY good.
A glimpse of the state of charge can be obtained by measuring the open circuit voltage across the terminals. Anything well below 12.00V DC is cause for concern. It's also a good idea to measure the parasitic current drain when everything is shut off. I recall anything more than 250mA is bad. At 250mA of current drain, a 60A-h battery will last approximately 10 days without being recharged.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 9, 2005
Posts: 6,982
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From: New Carlisle, Ohio (20 miles north of Dayton)
Seems to me that your battery is marginal at best. Perhaps if you complain to the dealer about it he can do a draw test and you my just get a new battery. They may pro-rate it slightly. But it should not go dead in 2 weeks especially in your climate.
Boomer... I drive my 70 Mach 1 only about 500-1000 miles a year total. Rest of the time it sits covered up. The battery is 5 yrs old now and still no issues only running it 20 mins. every couple of weeks. I do the same with my 05 and it is going on its 3 yr. I believe if your guys batteries go dead in just a couple of weeks they aren't up to snuff. I should also add that when I run my cars and tractors for this 20 minutes every couple of weeks is after they get warmed up, I run them at 2000/2500 rpm for the balance of time.
Scott
Boomer... I drive my 70 Mach 1 only about 500-1000 miles a year total. Rest of the time it sits covered up. The battery is 5 yrs old now and still no issues only running it 20 mins. every couple of weeks. I do the same with my 05 and it is going on its 3 yr. I believe if your guys batteries go dead in just a couple of weeks they aren't up to snuff. I should also add that when I run my cars and tractors for this 20 minutes every couple of weeks is after they get warmed up, I run them at 2000/2500 rpm for the balance of time.
Scott
I Have No Life
Joined: January 30, 2004
Posts: 10,446
Likes: 12
From: Canada
Your mach1 doesn't have motion sensors and a crappy battery does it??? 
Now your 05 thats a different story. (see below)
However, like i said, temperature plays a big roll.
Last year when mine went for a crap... we had some really cold weeks (-35C)
Seriously though, the batterys that come stock are **** the replacement I have is SO much better. and I know for a fact it wasn't the same one.
But I have never been able to compare to an old one, or whether or not the 06s+ have these newer batterys.
Now your 05 thats a different story. (see below)
However, like i said, temperature plays a big roll.
Last year when mine went for a crap... we had some really cold weeks (-35C)
Seriously though, the batterys that come stock are **** the replacement I have is SO much better. and I know for a fact it wasn't the same one.
But I have never been able to compare to an old one, or whether or not the 06s+ have these newer batterys.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: October 2, 2006
Posts: 4,777
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From: Southeast Michigan
When/if my Group-96R battery takes a dump, I will look into installing a Group 65 battery. I think Ford went with the smaller 96R/40R batteries for weight reduction and space savings. The Group 65s are designed for police cars, trucks, and vans that utilize lots of electronics and may need to start up in all kinds of weather on a moment's notice. Ford figures the Mustang owners garage their ponies most of the time and that a dead battery isn't going to impact your mission objectives. Funny thing is, my 2000 Crown Vic PALES in comparison to the 07 GT's electronics. It's like comparing the Wright brother's plane to the F-35 JSF.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 9, 2005
Posts: 6,982
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From: New Carlisle, Ohio (20 miles north of Dayton)
Your mach1 doesn't have motion sensors and a crappy battery does it???
Now your 05 thats a different story. (see below)
However, like i said, temperature plays a big roll.
Last year when mine went for a crap... we had some really cold weeks (-35C)
Seriously though, the batterys that come stock are **** the replacement I have is SO much better. and I know for a fact it wasn't the same one.
But I have never been able to compare to an old one, or whether or not the 06s+ have these newer batterys.
Now your 05 thats a different story. (see below)
However, like i said, temperature plays a big roll.
Last year when mine went for a crap... we had some really cold weeks (-35C)
Seriously though, the batterys that come stock are **** the replacement I have is SO much better. and I know for a fact it wasn't the same one.
But I have never been able to compare to an old one, or whether or not the 06s+ have these newer batterys.
-35C...It that actually temperature or wild chill? No wonder your battery doesn't last. Jeez!!!!!!!!
I Have No Life
Joined: January 30, 2004
Posts: 10,446
Likes: 12
From: Canada
Yeah, it got cold...
This year, not so bad.
we've had +15 days in dec and jan, and only recenlty has it dropped below zero.
I had one year I was driving to work, and it was -45 out (coldest day on record in years.) and the stang (02) started no problem.
Started driving... frost on the INSIDE of the windshield..and the defroster on the highest fan/heat would only get rid of the bottom 1/4 of the window.
OH and those temps remember are Celcius not Fahrennheit
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: August 7, 2006
Posts: 16,113
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From: In Boredom
it would be interresting to see what ford says about the battery lasting with the alarm on. No way I would put up with that.... if they didn't/don't replace the battery for you I would go buy one on my own. My 00gt still has the factory battery it is getting weak and no alarm but it still starts after weeks of sitting. If my 06 ever fails to start I will call road side service instead of charging it back up or jumping it. To me alarm on or not your car should start after sitting for a period of time. I can't see them putting an alarm in that would take so much battery juice to run. Its just crazy to me.
SUPERCHARGED RED ROCKET ------------------Master-Moderator
Joined: May 11, 2006
Posts: 10,648
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From: Carnegie, PA
Here's several posts that will explain in complete detail what the problem and solution is that you may find helpful..I've taken my 05 to 3 different dealerships, for the very same reason and didn't finally get a straight answer, until speaking with a Ford field service engineer..And this may not make any sense, but it appears that this is how Ford designed these cars, and the explanation I got was, each computer has a timer that is running continulessly, in addition each sensor or module also stores computer memory.. for ie there's one for the drop down window module, another for the motion sensor on the alarm system, another for the radio, power door locks, power windows and so on..and if the vehicle sits for more than 10 days and the battery is not fully charged and also if the computer reads less than 9volts, it will automatically drain the remaining voltage as some sort of fail safe protection, that has to do with preserving computer memory..I was also informed that it's even worse, if you start the vehicle and only let sit at idle for 15-20 min. because he claims that sitting at idle, does not rev the rpm's enough to fully keep the battery charged..Therefore, their are only 2 options..either run and drive the vehicle at least once every 5-7 days or install a tender or trickle charger if the vehicle is going to sit more than a week...As I said before, I know this doesn't make much sense and I still don't quite understand it all, but that's just how these cars are now designed..Anyway, hope this helps out in someway...
Originally Posted by 310stanger
as a ford tech i have this to say. the ford motocraft batteries really seem to be crap. we replace them constantly on stock units. meaning cars on our lot that may sit for awhile. also. if you dont run your car for a long time yes there actually is a draw. the computer uses some electricity to run your kam. KeepAliveMemory. bring it to your ford dealer and see if they can warranty you a battery.....
as a ford tech i have this to say. the ford motocraft batteries really seem to be crap. we replace them constantly on stock units. meaning cars on our lot that may sit for awhile. also. if you dont run your car for a long time yes there actually is a draw. the computer uses some electricity to run your kam. KeepAliveMemory. bring it to your ford dealer and see if they can warranty you a battery.....
Originally Posted by red05bullitgt
As for the Motorcraft Batteries are concerned ?? I couldn't agree more.. In less than 2 years of owning my 05 GT I'm now on my third battery, The first one lasted 2 months and the dealership replaced it due to it having a bad cell and then got 6 months out of the second before it went dead, took it another dealer for a second opinion who claimed that battery more than likely sat on the shelf too long and wasn't fully charged, so they replaced that one as well and was then advised by their feild service engineer to invest in a tender charger and ever since then, I haven't had any dead battery problems..However, I still think that it's rediculous that a brand new car can't sit for more than 10-14 days without it's battery going dead but at least I'll give the dealerships credit for this ?? they did replace both batteries under warranty...Anyway, being that your a Ford tech. perhaps you can answer this for me..Does the electricity that is required to run the keep alive memory, cause enough of a draw to drain these batteries, if they sit for 2 weeks ?? or does it take longer than that ?? The reason why I ask, is because this was also what the feild service engineer explained and this seems to make the most logical sense....
As for the Motorcraft Batteries are concerned ?? I couldn't agree more.. In less than 2 years of owning my 05 GT I'm now on my third battery, The first one lasted 2 months and the dealership replaced it due to it having a bad cell and then got 6 months out of the second before it went dead, took it another dealer for a second opinion who claimed that battery more than likely sat on the shelf too long and wasn't fully charged, so they replaced that one as well and was then advised by their feild service engineer to invest in a tender charger and ever since then, I haven't had any dead battery problems..However, I still think that it's rediculous that a brand new car can't sit for more than 10-14 days without it's battery going dead but at least I'll give the dealerships credit for this ?? they did replace both batteries under warranty...Anyway, being that your a Ford tech. perhaps you can answer this for me..Does the electricity that is required to run the keep alive memory, cause enough of a draw to drain these batteries, if they sit for 2 weeks ?? or does it take longer than that ?? The reason why I ask, is because this was also what the feild service engineer explained and this seems to make the most logical sense....
Originally Posted by 310stanger
evidently it does, i havent ever tested the draw from the computer across the power to test but if i remember i will and report back. one thing i can say more then anything is that i think a lot of these batteries although they may start the vehicle dont actually have a full charge which is what i feel to be a big reason on why they go dead. your battery needs to have a full charge to avoid it going dead when its left to sit. personally i highly recommend you guys using a battery tender if at all possible. or even pulling ur batteries and chargin them up then storing them. an easier way may be to just disconnect the battery. when i perform work on my 5.0 and i know the car is gonna sit i jus disconnect the battery and dont seem to have a problem. granted my car is quite a bit different. but dont feel bad guys, all fords at my work across the board i have replaced batteris in before they even leave the dealer. now one could say that ford engineers the vehicles **** up and be right, another could say that motorcraft batteries suck and you wont be getting any disagreement from me on it.
evidently it does, i havent ever tested the draw from the computer across the power to test but if i remember i will and report back. one thing i can say more then anything is that i think a lot of these batteries although they may start the vehicle dont actually have a full charge which is what i feel to be a big reason on why they go dead. your battery needs to have a full charge to avoid it going dead when its left to sit. personally i highly recommend you guys using a battery tender if at all possible. or even pulling ur batteries and chargin them up then storing them. an easier way may be to just disconnect the battery. when i perform work on my 5.0 and i know the car is gonna sit i jus disconnect the battery and dont seem to have a problem. granted my car is quite a bit different. but dont feel bad guys, all fords at my work across the board i have replaced batteris in before they even leave the dealer. now one could say that ford engineers the vehicles **** up and be right, another could say that motorcraft batteries suck and you wont be getting any disagreement from me on it.
Cobra R Member
Joined: August 23, 2004
Posts: 1,945
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Boomer I am going to ask you what you might consider a real dumb question. Why do you live up there in that freeze *** area? Do you guys love the cold or are you feel trapped due to your family or vocation in that area?
I am one of those that are not acclimated to cold areas. Zero F makes me P&M big time about the cold.
I am one of those that are not acclimated to cold areas. Zero F makes me P&M big time about the cold.
SUPERCHARGED RED ROCKET ------------------Master-Moderator
Joined: May 11, 2006
Posts: 10,648
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From: Carnegie, PA
