2006 Expedition starting issue...

[bones281]

Ok this morning I went out to start my 2006 Expedition and as I turned the key there was a click click, then a slow crank, then click click panel lights and head lights all dim. After several try's it started up and ran just fine. I drove to work and at lunch I went out and the something happened, after letting it run for about twenty minutes I shut it off and restarted it without any problems. However when I got off work this evening the whole thing happened again. I'm just wondering if this could be a battery issue or something more in depth.

 

[FordandPolaris]

Can you check the voltage you get at the battery while it is off as well as on? I don't remember what is too low, but I would say if it is not above 11v while off (and not many short trips or starts without driving much, this would drain the battery without allowing it to recharge) I would replace the battery.

When was the battery last replaced?

 

[bones281]

I'll have to find a way to check that, but I do only work less then two miles from work. most of my driving are short trips.

 

[FordandPolaris]

I'll have to find a way to check that, but I do only work less then two miles from work. Missy of my driving us short trips.

Here is what I would do, just so you know the battery should be sitting on a good charge. Start it and drive for 20 minutes or so. Come home and leave it overnight, check the voltage right after driving it and again in the morning, if a significant change is seen, replace the battery. Multimeter is probably 20 bucks at a local hardware store.


Or, since its good to replace the battery once every 3-4 years, just get a battery ($80) and see if that helps. Have you owned the truck since new and if so, has the battery ever been replaced?

 

[bones281]

Seeings how I bought it used in January and there's no real way to determine if the battery has been or when it was last changed, I'll go ahead and get a new one.

 

[Yudaman]

Sounds like textbook battery failure to me. Replace it and the issue will go away with the old battery.

 

[GAINMOB]

get alternator checked too

 

[FordandPolaris]

get alternator checked too

If the alternator was bad, the truck would die while driving. If you end up purchasing a multi meter, the battery should be charging at 14v while running, so if it is less, you could have a bad alt. Start with the battery though.

Also, some batteries will have the date they are purchased labeled on them. I'm sure you already looked but it could be there.

 

[bones281]

Well went and had the alt checked and she's putting out 14 vlts and I had my battery checked (after driving twenty miles to the parts store) and turns out the battery was bad. So I went ahead and bought a new one... Thanks guys.