So i don't know what's going on! Twice now i jumped back in my truck after having been parked for a couple minutes - turn the key and the gauges go nuts, then nothing when i go to crank. I turn it back off, put the key back in and click it on - now no lights and a whole bunch of weird clicking coming from up around the dash near the passenger side. I opened the door to get out - no interior lights, and more clicking sounds.

What the heck is going on? Alternator? I'm pretty sure the battery is fine, and other than that has been running normally!

It's a '02 screw with 300,000km. Thanks for any help!!!

 

I should add: if i chill out for 5-10 min, and try again, it starts up like it has every day for the past 8 years. No codes or concerns on the gauges.

 

You say "you're pretty sure the battery is fine". What is the assumption built on? The ONLY way you can tell if your battery is OK is to have it LOAD TESTED. If it tests good then, take both cables off and clean thoroughly and reinstall tightly. Can ALMOST guarantee the battery is bad or the connections are bad (corrosion on the posts or not tight enough. Remember, the battery cable ends don't have to look like green grassy fields to be corroded, sometimes it is black discoloration on the post surface (oxidization), but will do the same thing) It's bad battery or connection somewhere.

 

When you say "gauges go nuts" do you mean they sweep full right, then back left, then into place ?

If so, you need a new battery / battery cables cleaned ( bad enough to have the truck think it is a dead battery ).

 

Thanks for the advice guys! I'm taking it to have the battery/alternator tested this morning. And yes, "nuts" means that it would sweep all the way across and back, then kinda 'wiggle' a bit at the bottom - then nothing.

I always thought when the battery was going, things would just plain die, not do all this dancing and clicking!

Thanks again!

 

Not on the F-150, this is a sign of loss of voltage ( or low voltage condition ) to the cluster.

Does not mean that a battery would up and die straight away, but in your case, the voltage is dropping too low after sitting.

This does not mean the battery does not have a low condition from a lack of charge. Best to have the battery tested and go from there.