Hi all, new member here. I picked up a 2001 expedition, got it for $450 so could not pass it up, guy I bought it from said he was driving he watched the gauge drop truck dies and now no start, I checked the battery and put a jump box on it, oil is clean by the way, all dash lights come on when you turn the key it sounds like the starter kicks out but that's it and it drains the battery pretty even with a jump box, I'll be doing more testing tonight and keep this up to date but has anyone else ran into a similar issue, the died when driving kinda makes me wonder.....thanks for any help. I am a mechanic for heavy equipment and build cars at home but not to up on the newer cars, yeah I know it's 18 years old lol
2001 5.4
- Thread starter 65mustang
- Start date
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What gauge? If it was the battery gauge then you need a new alternator. And if he drove it till the battery was dead then you will need a new battery as well.
Oh yeah checked the battery have a new one, just seemed odd he could not figure that out, I'll get the new battery in tonight and check it all out, I'm sure it'll be something simple but figured I'd ask n case it's a known electrical problem, appreciate it
1955moose
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My charging gauge starting dropping down from the 3/4 normal position, down to 1/4, when my alternator went out. Mine is 2000. I had O'Reilly's use their small diagnostic scanner on the charging/battery circuit. My voltage regulator was actually bad, it's mounted on back of alternator, but due to the 18 year old alternator, I opted for their new, not rebuilt one. Cost around $190.00. Hope yours is as simple as my repair.
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Draining the battery ... Means you have to replace it? I must be lucky because I've drained many a battery without having to replace them. Winter is different because then it freezes. Am I misinformed?
There is a difference between drained and totally dead.
He said the guy drove it gauge dropped truck died.
Totally draining a car battery dead hurts the battery life and CCA. the older the battery the less chance of bringing it back from the dead.
If the battery gets drained Dead do not try to charge by leaving in the truck it can hurt your alternator. Also do not try to fast charge a totally dead battery it will hurt it more.
best thing to do with it is check electrolytes and put on trickle charge but even if you get some charge back you still will never have the battery you had before it went dead.
Ok. I'll feed that into my knowledge base about batteries. However the original statement was too extreme. I would never buy a new battery because the alternator failed and I kept driving the TRUCK until it wouldn't run anymore. I only replace batteries if there is good evidence that its degraded. Like ... a battery tester says its no good anymore. Or it won't hold a charge or the voltage drops too low while cranking or other things. I always give a battery a chance to prove itself but when its not up to ***** it needs to go.
And I think it depends on how much of a discharge the battery was subjected to. If it only goes to 8V ... I wouldn't think that would be too traumatic. If its shorted to ground and run down to 2V then that's worse. But I'm just guessing
Also ... What happens that ruins a battery if it discharges? There has to be some physical phenomenon that transpires. What is it? Does it matter if its an AGM battery or any other technology ... Like a marine battery?
And I think it depends on how much of a discharge the battery was subjected to. If it only goes to 8V ... I wouldn't think that would be too traumatic. If its shorted to ground and run down to 2V then that's worse. But I'm just guessing
Also ... What happens that ruins a battery if it discharges? There has to be some physical phenomenon that transpires. What is it? Does it matter if its an AGM battery or any other technology ... Like a marine battery?
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Not to extreme he just bought the truck has no idea of history on the truck or battery. If you read the original post even with the jump box still no go.(usually a jump box will work with a battery at 8v) A new battery with the new alternator is a good baseline to have going forward diagnosing the truck for any other problems. Having good steady 12v is a must in a vehicle with computer.
I do agree on having the battery checked (why not its free) or like I said before check electrolytes and put on a trickle charge.
There are significant differences in the lead alloys that make up the plates in a starting battery vs. a deep cycle. AGM & Gels add another layer of complexity. A starting battery contains higher levels of calcium when compared to a true deep cycle. This allows the higher cranking amps for turning over an engine. A deep cycle has a higher lead content which allows the repetitive discharge/recharge cycles and reserve capacity. If you completely discharge a starting battery such as the one in your truck, the chemical reaction that takes place causes the plates to harden a bit. Do this more then once or on an older battery and it will never come back. It would come back voltage wise for a while but the cranking amps would decrease significantly (think run stereo, turn on headlights but only click the solenoid when you turn the key)
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Here are a few things to check. Check your CD changer for a stuck CD or magazine. Its wired 'hot' and will continue work with key off. Hook up a small bulb, between the neg terminal and cable. If it lights up, you are drawing current. Jump the solenoid, at the firewall with a screwdriver. If it turns over, you can trace your way back. Check for a bad ground, at the battery. We had work truck die and gauges went nuts. It was a loose/bad connection at the battery. A burned out charge/batt light in the cluster, will prevent the alternator from working. Check to see if it lights up, when key is turned.
Bilsto
Well-Known Member
I think when batteries get old, sulfates start to build up between the plates and that causes trouble. I worked at an auto parts store many years ago, but my memory of that problem has faded. But when you start getting sulfation, you'll usually notice that the battery starts to swell.
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