My truck hasn't been driven in about a week because I've been recovering from surgery. I went out to move it, my neighbors are moving and wanted to park the U-haul where I was parked. Auto door locks didn't work, lights didn't come on when the door opened and didn't even click when I turned the key (I wasn't expecting it anyway I was just seeing if there was enough juice to turn the radio on or somehting). So I'm currently waiting on Road Side Assistance. Just wanted to vent. My neighbors offered me a jump, but a $40,000 truck that is less than a year old shouldn't need a jump, so I'm having it towed to the Dealership. I don't want to deal with it. Sorry just wanted to vent.

... I know somebody will ask the dummy question and the answer is, no I didn't leave my lights on and yes the doors were fully shut, interior light was not on.

 

I know how you feel. I came back from a 2 week vacation in mid-jan. I went out to the truck and same thing, no door locks, lights, nothing. Completely dead. I had it boosted. Drove around for an hour. Parked. Next morning same thing. Boosted again. Drove around for another hour. Parked for about 4 hours, then it just started. I had it booked at the dealer the next day, they kept it for 3 days, and 2 nights and could not find anything wrong. It has not done it since. It makes me a little leary because I work in some pretty remote locations and don't want it to quit on me out there. A month prior to my problems the dealer had replaced my battery due to it not being able to hold a full charge. Good luck with yours.

 

I keep a jump box that I got at Wal-Mart in my toolbox for just those situations. I will agree though, a new truck should not have problems like that.

 

Honestly, not the end of the world. I get brand new batteries from my supplier that are dead right off the truck. It happens.


But, yes, it is frustrating on a brand new truck.

BREW

 

well I see im not the only one that has a dead battery in there truck after it sets for a little while. These trucks should not have dead batteries after they sit for a day or even a week. Whats up with them??

 

Well I just got back from the dealer, and have some advice for all of you with this problem. First off, when roadside assistance came they boosted my truck and still offered to take it to the dealership to have it checked out. I declined, which was stupid. I drove it myself and ended up sitting there for over 2 hours waiting on the diagnostics. What happened was, they hooked it up to this new machine they have, and it says to charge for 3 hours before proceeding with the battery test. Unfortunately Ford requires dealerships to use this machine, and will not pay on warantee for a new battery unless a print out from this machine is accompanied with the claim. So an hour and a half or so into the charge, this thing finally changes its mind and says the battery is bad, replace it.

So my advice is simple, let roadside assistance take it and sit in the comfort of your own home. This could have taken much longer and 3 hours apparently isn't the longest time this thing can say to charge it, so for some it could even be longer.

 

Glad to hear that it's worked out... unfortunately, it seems like we see several battery-related problems with these trucks...

My 05' XLT's (company truck) got a new battery at only 17k miles...

RP

 

Yup...I use that machine ( or one very similar) and at times it will tell me to charge for 12 hours before proceeding with the test.

Glad to hear it wasnt that long for you and you're all fixed up now.


BREW

 

Yup, that is what my dealership said to do next time, just tow it in and don't boost it. That way it will be easier for them to see what the problem is.