Truck specs real quick- 2002 F150, 5.4, red top battery.

Ok, so I went out of town for 3 weeks, came back and truck was completely dead. Jumped it up using my jump box and drove off. Drove around a good bit, and it's still completely dead. I've had to use the box about 10 times this weekend while running around.
So, today, I took the battery to advanced and had it charged. Hook it back up and nothing. Slight turn of engine, then nothing. Do you guys think it is the battery has bit the bucket, or, I have an electrical wiring problem near the battery.

Stuff to note: First time I jumped the truck, there was a weird clicking, tapping kinda sound coming from around the back left corner of t he engine compartment. Didn't sound like a metal on metal, more like an electrical clicking.
Also, the neg connector that hooks to the battery is rusted a little, and is lose. Can't be tightened. You can wiggle it on and off pretty easily.
Lastly, once I start it up and drive it, everything electrical works fine, obviously so. But, the second I turn it off, it loses ALL power. No dim light, no power doors, no nothing. Appears that there isn't even a battery hooked up.

So, any ideas? I'm thinking either a crap battery, and the tester at advanced read it wrong, OR I have some electrical issues a little deeper.

 

Might wanna try the right forum. -

https://www.f150online.com/forums/el...al-systems-67/

 

The clicking noise is the solenoid on the firewall passenger side...it usually happens when the battery is dead.

If you have a volt meter you can test to see if its fine...it should be around 12 normal and around 10 when cranking....test it out..

Id say its probably the battery though, how old is it?

 

A bad terminal connection on a fully charged battery will do the same as you described. Put on a new terminal before you buy a new battery, it's the cheaper of the two, and needs done regardless.
More than likely, your battery is simply shot.

 

From my experiences, red tops hate to sit! You need to clean off the terminals good, lube with dielectric grease, tighten up good and that should do it, if all testing shows ok. Also, pick up a c-tech battery charger for these batteries. It allows to keep hooked up like a battery tender too which will allow it to sit. Apparently any other charger screws up these batteries, the c-tech has a specific setting for them, so there's my 2 cents!

 

Thanks for the help. Gonna run it up to Ford, and have them replace the terminals, and have them charge the batt as well.
Batt isn't too old at all. Maybe 3 months. Just replaced it b/c my last red top ate it after my truck sat for 3 months.

 

Have your alternator tested. If its failed, specifically the voltage regulator, it could overcharge your battery, causing a premature death. Had it happen a couple years ago.


-Matt

 

Get rid of that red top and get a conventional battery. Optimas have gone to hell recently. If you have a terminal that can't be tightened, that HAS to be fixed.

 

And don't use lead terminals. Not with this system. The dealer has the best that I've seen , so far.

 

i had a yellow top that died in 6 months. i agree about optima quality not being that great.

 

The correct Terminal = Nickle, brass, copper.. Zinc maybe ?

 

Just picked up the truck from the dealership.
They changed the terminals, charged the battery, and she runs like new again. Also got the fuel filter changed while they were at it.
They checked the battery and said it was working fine, so it must of been the term.

Yea, once the warranty goes on this red top, it will be my last one. I've already had to replace it once before.
Sadly though, in the process of the power going off and on in the truck, it has jammed my CD changer. I could hear the cd's rotating in the dash unit every time I would have to jump it, and as I was jumping it for the last time, it must of jammed. B/c now, when I push CD, it says NO CD. But I know its full, and it won't let me eject them either.
Guess it's time to get a new unit with an Ipod hook-up.