Have had the truck in twice over dying battery and they always blame it on accessories. Nothing left on. Should I just forget it and buy a battery before it leaves me stranded? Or should I just call the 800 # they give you when you need a boost or locked up keys till I run up the bill and they give me a battery??

 

Ya know, I've seen enough of these "dead battery" problems (and I've had some myself) that I think there IS a weak point in the electrical system in our trucks that causes a fairly significant drain when the car is sitting.

But, first I have to ask - how long was your truck sitting? If it was only one or two days, there is something VERY wrong and you need to have it fixed, while the truck is under warranty!

Now, if it's been sitting about three weeks like mine often does and then the battery is low, I'd have to say this is the "nature of this beast". I've solved my problem with a battery tender. Doesn't take too much to compensate for the "standby" drain in my truck.

But, I wouldn't be too quick to blame the battery. It COULD be bad, but it has a warranty too and if you replace it, get it done at Ford using the battery warranty.

- Jack

 

If you let your truck sit that long with out starting it, I would install a killswitch on the battery cable. Only a couple bucks and you wont be stranded. As for the OP, if you have pulled every accessory and still have the same problems, pull the battery and have it tested, if not it, have the alternator tested.

 

The killswitch is a good idea, except: disconnecting the battery from the PCM puts it back into a "learn mode" every time you reconnect it. This is not something I want to happen, so I use the battery tender. It's solved all my problems and keeps the battery at full charge, which is good for its overall health.

In the case of the OP's problem, if the battery discharges quickly when the truck is idle, it COULD be the alternator - what is the charging voltage? It could also be the battery of course - how does it do in a load test?

My suspicion though, is some component in the truck that is not "shutting off" and that is causing a battery drain. I'd look first at the "battery saver relay" - that thing seems to sometimes be faulty and if it is, it will cause the symptoms he described.

- Jack

 

Today it only sat for 3hrs. Couple of days ago overnight. It may skip a couple of days or even a week before it does it again. But all these rundowns have taken a toll so I can tell the truck starts a little weak. Last time the dealer had it and the time before they blamed it on accessories. Cost ME 250.00 each time. So it ain't goin back till she drops dead somewhere. 1st time the blame was put on the brake controller. They gave me documentation and a $250.00 bill. So I called the controller manufacturer and they reinbursed the bill and sent me a new box. Very nice of them to do so. They said their engineer checked the box I sent back and it tested OK. Who's to know which 1's lyin?? Second time they blamed on my GPS. I put the GPS in my wife's car and it has never ran her battery down but my problem continues. I called the free roadside assistance # today and they said a jump was free. So if the dealer wants to play I'll just let Ford come boost me bout a dozen times and see if that gets any attention. Bet it would be cheaper for them to install a new battery.

 

I had this same problem with my 07 and it was a relay randomly energizing the fuel pump and draining the battery.

 

That would make sense. So your dealer find this right away? Or did it take a few trips? I'm already out 500 bucks. I know 1 thing if I take it in again their won't be any thing there that isn't stock. The battery is on its way out that Im sure. Just don'nt know when. Thanks for the respond maybe I have the same problem.

 

Dealer found it right away by conducting a draw test on the electrical system, but it took them a few days to get a new fuse box.

 

why are you getting charged at all this is all under warranty??????!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

They say any aftermarket items that cause a problem isn't covered by them or Ford. Therefore here's your bill. Seek restitution from the offending items manufacturer.

 

That is BS I would take that up to a manager first thing tomorrow. But then again I REMOVED all electrical accessories from my truck BEFORE I took it in. I did enough research before hand to know my radar detector was not the problem.

 

They did the draw test both times. Said the truck was fine and so was the battery.

 

you need to get a meter and test battery voltage yourself, test right after shutdown and several hours after maybe even days. your battery might be bad.

you still should have not paid them anything.....

 

Tell me about the BS thing. Service manager was complained to but did no good. Never had this problem with any of my other vehicles. Just thought they would replace the battery and all would be well. Wrong!! Wifey's VW threw an ABS light. They picked the car up in my drive,replaced the whole ABS system,went thru the whole car and checked everything out, then returned the car back to my drive all on their dime. Now thats service!!!

 

You need to find another dealer. I found one that is very helpful.