F250 Needs A Battery

[Dix]

The "Beast" needs a new battery.


'05 F250 XLT. 4WD. Loaded. 8 clyinder, extended cab (suicide doors) 8' bed. I see some at Sears


http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Automotive_Batteries_Car+Batteries?filter=storeOrigin|Sears&viewItems&adCell;=W3


Truck is 6 years old w/ 34,000 miles on it. It's the original battery that crapped out.


Advice appreciated

 

[Wallace]

Optima yellow top. Best batteries around. A little pricey but they last and are extremely durable. They are sealed gel cells.

 

[Dix]

$$$'s are tight. I need the truck to run.

Shoulda mentioned that, sorry.

 

[oilstinks]

Check with local auto parts stores for used Batterys. I work part time at Advance Auto and we sell used but a little weak batteries for 34.99 or less depending on condition. Its hard to top amazon for optima batteries. Red top about 150 free ship no core. A company called the Usable battery company remans batteries but I honestly believe you get what you pay for on Batteries. You could also check with scrap yards for used Bats. Its possible they get them in on wrecked cars or scrap cars.

 

[Dix]

Almost forgot... I think it needs the connectors on the cables replaced. Excessive corrossion when I looked this AM.

I'm assuming some place that sells & installs batteries would replace them as well?

 

[oilstinks]

You can pick up the quick fix connectors for a couple of bucks a piece around here. Strip the wire back and screw tighten the bolts on the clamp to install it to the wire. Most places probably would put them on. I probably Would put them on with a new battery purchase for a customer.

 

[oilstinks]

Corrossion can be cleaned off and connectors reused if they are not eat up too bad.

 

[Dix]

Thanks, OS. I'm not to good with that kind of stuff >:-(

I'd rather have a new one, for the warranty, and not having to worry about not starting when it's freezing outside.

 

[oilstinks]

Yea if you got the cash good call. I might cobble up my ole work/wood truck but when it comes to my wife and childrens car i try to do it right and only have to do it one time.

 

[kettensäge]

Almost forgot... I think it needs the connectors on the cables replaced. Excessive corrossion when I looked this AM.

I'm assuming some place that sells & installs batteries would replace them as well?

Have the battery charged and tested. Problem might be just the cables/connections. Might buy you some time on the battery replacement.

 

[Dix]

I've charged it & let it run for 1-2 hours 3-4 times. Have to recharge it to get it to start again.

 

[Highbeam]

This is crazy. You want cheap, then you do not want optima. Go to costco or walmart and buy the replacement battery. Done. These days, the regular wet batteries are mostly all made by the same company.

I would never recommend a used or screap battery. Sheesh, they only last 5-6 years anyway and a new battery will cost you less than half a tank of gas.

I have optima batteries in my tractor and in my wife's Yukon. They don't spill acid and that is the reason. My F350 diesel has a pair of huge wet cell batteries that are just fine and will be replaced with walmart batteries when that needs to happen.

 

[semipro]

Almost forgot... I think it needs the connectors on the cables replaced. Excessive corrossion when I looked this AM.

I'm assuming some place that sells & installs batteries would replace them as well?

Have the battery charged and tested. Problem might be just the cables/connections. Might buy you some time on the battery replacement.

This is good advice. A lot of people replace batteries only to find out something else was the problem. If you can get it started and drive it to your local auto supply they would probably check alternator operation for free. Then if you do need a battery, they can install for free on the spot.

Someone mentioned cleaning the terminals if you can. This is also good advice. Don't replace them unless they're in really bad shape. A lot of times there are good terminals hiding under lots of corrosion.

One more thing, but its unlikely is that you have a parasitic draw in your truck that is draining the battery when the truck is off, something like a glove box light on or stuck closed relay. If your battery and charging system check out okay and you clean the battery terminals and you're still having problems, this might be the cause. Its harder to diagnose and repair.

 

[kettensäge]

Almost forgot... I think it needs the connectors on the cables replaced. Excessive corrossion when I looked this AM.

I'm assuming some place that sells & installs batteries would replace them as well?

Have the battery charged and tested. Problem might be just the cables/connections. Might buy you some time on the battery replacement.

This is good advice. A lot of people replace batteries only to find out something else was the problem. If you can get it started and drive it to your local auto supply they would probably check alternator operation for free. Then if you do need a battery, they can install for free on the spot.

Someone mentioned cleaning the terminals if you can. This is also good advice. Don't replace them unless they're in really bad shape. A lot of times there are good terminals hiding under lots of corrosion.

One more thing, but its unlikely is that you have a parasitic draw in your truck that is draining the battery when the truck is off, something like a glove box light on or stuck closed relay. If your battery and charging system check out okay and you clean the battery terminals and you're still having problems, this might be the cause. Its harder to diagnose and repair.

X2. put a new battery in my 300c only to find the power seat button on the passenger side was stuck rearward. Just assumed it was the battery. The car Is going on 6yrs old w/ 40k Mi.
I kept the original which is still fine and tests to 700 amps and will use it for the 12v backup source for my insert blower.

Most batterys for a certain application are all the same, you just pay more for the better warranty. Friend of mine goes to a factory outlet around here and gets blems for less than half the cost. brand new, no warranty.

 

[dave11]

6 years was pretty good for the old battery. But you might want to make sure the connections to the battery are clean and TIGHT, before deciding it is bad. A suboptimal connection can mimic a failing battery.

Clean the terminals with baking soda, water, and a toothbrush. Rinse well. Then re-attach and make sure they're tight. Clean the posts or pads on the battery itself too. Rinse well. See if it will then hold a charge.

BTW--you might know this, but disconnect the black/neg cable first, and reconnect it last.

 

[glenlloyd]

ditto what the others have said, charge it on low amp (1.5-2 amp) for 24-48 hrs. If your charger is automatic all the better, but the amperage should be low. Once that's done have someone load test the battery and see whether it's actually bad.

I have several batteries that are older than this and they work fine. All my vehicles are diesel and they require good batteries in top condition.

It could be that your connections are just so poor that it's simulating a bad battery. And if you test the battery and it seems fine then take a multimeter and test the alternator current output at the alternator and at the battery itself, they should be very close. If the battery voltage is significantly lower then you have a cabling problem.

good luck

steve

 

[backpack09]

my local junk yard sells used batteries for 20$ plus 5$ for your core.

 

[nate379]

Not that it matters, but a factory battery in a 2005 would be at least 7 years old, probably closer to 8, not 6. You got it's use out of it.

2005 model would be built in 2004 and we are not far from 2012.

If you put an Optima it would be the Red top that's needed. Yellow top is a deep cycle battery and no need for that when it's main use would be starting.

Best bang for the buck, run down to Walmart and get one off the shelf. Many of them have auto centers that do cheap (maybe even free) installs as well.

Used batteries? If I was rolling pennies for gas money I'd think about it, but in the span that 1 good NEW battery will last you will probably go through several used ones. Worth it? Not IMO. Not to mention new battery from Walmart will run you ~80-100$

 

[Dix]

Thank you all, so much. I've decided to just go new, and get it over with.


It's been sitting since February, in that awesomely cold winter we had here last year. I really think it's the battery ( I was at work today & couldn't post like at home, but I wanted to ask you guys ).


It's time to say good bye and start anew (broken image removed) .

 

[Flatbedford]

Walmart. Good batteries. Good nationwide warranty. The stores are everywhere. I replaced the original in my '00 F250 last winter for about $70. I was happy to get 10 years out of the original Motorcraft battery. I'd have bought one of them, but the dealer wanted over $100 for it and it is probably made in the same factory as the Walmart one anyway. I have a Walmart battery in my '70 F350 for 5 1/2 trouble free years now.