Forum Discussion

patperry2766's avatar
patperry2766
Explorer II
Jun 26, 2017

New battery already bad??

2013 Ford F-150 5.0.

I replaced the battery Friday. Started the truck up great for the rest of the day.

Started up fine Sat AM, but after sitting at work all day Saturday, it kinda slow cranked.

This AM, I had to jump start the truck to get to work. I've gone out a couple of times today to make sure it will start. After letting it sit for about 6 hours, it kinda starts to lug when starting.

To me, I think I have a bad battery and will take it back to the store tomorrow to exchange, but is there some way I can check to see if there is a parasitic power drain when the key is shut off?

Another thing.

When I jump started it before I swapped out to the new battery....the truck wouldn't shift out of third gear.

This AM, after I jump started it, it stayed in 5th gear. I re-started the truck and it shifts fine.

My problem is that I'm leaving in a week for vacation and I don't want to sweat the truck not starting whenever I need it to.
Tow Vehicles
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2017
    You can pull a terminal off of the battery and put a multi meter from the battery to the terminal and see how much loss you have.

    They will load test the battery anyway when you take it back and they will tell you if it's a battery problem or not.
  • patperry2766's avatar
    patperry2766
    Explorer II
    Jun 26, 2017
    It was an original Motorcraft battery, 4 years old and a red dot was showing in the battery, plus they tested it an confirmed that it was bad.
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2017
    I was talking about the "new" battery that you think is bad. When you take it back they will test it for warrantee.
  • patperry2766's avatar
    patperry2766
    Explorer II
    Jun 26, 2017
    When I had them originally test the battery, they said it was charging.

    Had to jump start it again last night after work. After 20 minutes of driving and being in front of my house, I restarted it, and it started strong.

    As far as the starting out in 5th gear after jumping, Ford actually has a TSB out on that. I'm gonna have to call the dealer this AM to find out more about what's going on.
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2017
    patperry2766 wrote:

    My problem is that I'm leaving in a week for vacation and I don't want to sweat the truck not starting whenever I need it to.


    Did you fully CHARGE the new battery before use ? Most need that initial charge.

    Then....you need to take the whole truck back to the "battery store" so they can test the battery AND the alternator.

    P.S. The 12 V gauges and/or idiot lights are useless....because even a failed alternator seems to put out just enough so the light won't trigger and the needle isn't off enough so you can tell.
  • kerrlakeRoo's avatar
    kerrlakeRoo
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2017
    Have any of your dash lights been on? If the "check engine" light is on the computer may have a problem, and be causing a drain.
    When you go back to have the battery checked, have them connect an OBD II code scanner and check that as well.
  • Charlie_D_'s avatar
    Charlie_D_
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2017
    Auto Zone and others can test load the battery and check charging system for free. Go ahead and have them use their scangage to check for other issues.

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