My GT1554 is like going on 4 years old by March of '08... not too far away... but I was wondering if I should change out the battery so I don't have a dead battery issue one day.

I'm not having a problem cold cranking it now... starts perfect, and it shows on the display that it is charging between 14.2-14.4 volts.

I think it's a sealed battery... but I think it would need to be replaced soon.

What can I get for a decent battery for it?

 

If it was me I would wait until it started showing symptoms of failing just to see how long it would last. That is unless you use it in the winter for snow removal or something. Nothing worse than having to work on something when it's freezing.
If it's only used in the summer I would wait since a dead battery would be a good excuse to get out of cutting the grass for a day.

 

I would have given a better answer if I had one. I've only had a yard tractor for a few years and haven't had to replace anything on it yet so I'll be watching the replies too.

 

I'm a huge proponent for run it into the ground, if it ain't broke don't fix it theory. How ever you do use it fro snow removal. If I was really concerned it might not start next time i needed it. Then I might would either replace it or buy one and have on the shelf in case.

 

Sounds like the plan.

 

I'm not sure of the size of your battery but the bigger ones (1400CCA) are expensive. I'd keep it until it let me sit, but I'd have some jumper cables or a booster pack handy.

 

I've got a battery jump starter anyhow... but I can never be sure...

 

Don't use your jumper cables with your truck though. Thats how I fried my door lock actuators summer before last (both at the same time) and may have fried my DPFE sensor earlier this week jumping the boat and jet ski while winterizing them earlier this week.

 

Sorry to hijack... What the hell is the DPFE sensor anyway. I had a focus throw that code in memory the other day. When I did a system test there were no codes so I cleared the memory to turn off the light.

Oh!!!! For the OP and to keep on topic....I have never had a mower battery last more than two years. Consider yourself very lucky and get a new one for the shelf.

In a lawn tractor? Holy **** most of them are around 200CCA

 

Yea I just got it Friday after jumping the boat and jet ski that morning.
Through a CEL while sitting at a stop light.
Pulled over checked the oil and critical fluids just in case, before making the 45 mile drive home.

Mine was

P1405
DPFE Sensor
Upstream hose off or unplugged.


The guys at the parts store and I looked at each other going WTH is a DPFE.
I just wanted to check the hose...... but no one knew what it was, where it was, what it did, what it looked like, to find it. Cleared the code and came home.
So came home and came here, searched... nothing....
Googled and apparently it's a sensor on the EGR system right before the EGR valve with 2 hoses running to it one to the EGR valve. According to what I found on Google Friday night, it is a very common part to go out on the Focus.

 

DPFE means: Differential Pressure Feedback EGR (sensor)... I had a friend who always had problems with that thing throwing that code... it was a PITA sometimes... but the car would run just fine.

 

I can't remember what the exact code was but it said DPFE too lean. It was in the memory. I ran a full stsyem test w/engine off, and running and there were no codes. I cleared the memory and told her that she may have splashed a mud puddle or hit a pot hole and tripped the sensor. I then told her if it came back on I would be happy to spend her money. At least now I will know where to look.

 

If you have to replace the DPFE, get it from the dealer - they are the only ones that have the "improved" part, parts store DPFE's have a very high early failure rate.

 

Reminds me of the gaskets for the 4.2l engines... everyone else has the old style that leak and cause hydrolock.