MrShelby

Hey there everyone,

I am the proud owner of a 2017 Shelby GT350. I have 16,600 miles on the car with no problems until yesterday morning. The car seemed to "labor" when starting, it was turning over slower but still catching, and otherwise the car ran fine. However, anytime I started the car, it repeated the labored start so I knew I had some sort of issue. I also noticed the voltage was staying up by 14.2-14.4 during an extended drive, higher than normal. I know there is a smart charge system in our cars that dials back the charging voltage as the battery reaches full, so if the voltage stays at max during a long drive, that means that battery isn't charging and the system is working overtime to charge the battery... Bad news bears concerning battery health. Late tonight my fears were confirmed when the car wouldn't turn over or start at all.

Really weird that the factory battery would die so soon. I don't think it's the alternator because the voltage was up so I'm going to advance auto parts in the morning the replace the battery (it's under warranty but I'm not waiting for the local stealership to tow my car on Monday, have to see my mom in the hospital Sunday). Hopefully that will be the end of it... just wondering if any if anyone else has experienced similar issues with their batteries.

Let me know, thanks!

Mr. Shelby

Gabe

Factory-installed batteries have been "meh"
For some reason, the Motorcraft batteries they sell over the counter at the Parts Dept have been great.
I have sold many, rarely had an issue.
If you're gonna buy a battery, I would advise you go ahead and get a Motorcraft.

Not a fan of the parts-store batteries, and for all that's holy, stay away from AAA batteries.

SpectreH

It does sound like a battery to me as well.

MrShelby

I replaced the battery today, took her out on the highway for a 50+ mile Sunday drive on the highway, no issues. Voltage was at 14.4 but eventually dropped to 13.3 as the battery became fully charged. There's a smart charge system on our cars that reduces the voltage to the battery as it charges up, so if the voltage stays up at max charging level (14.5 volts) during a long drive, that means the system is working overtime because the battery won't hold a charge.

Will update if the battery fails again!

SpectreH

Good deal!

shaneyusa

So I assume that is covered under your bumper to bumper? Seems very quick for a new battery in a new car to go. Glad it was not something seriously wrong.