Dead Battery

[MYsubaru1986 via CarKB.com]

2003 Ford 350 Van 5.4l

The Battery and Alternator test good. The last time driving the vehicle, the
ABS and Battery lights in the dash came on and the battery completely went
dead. Before this time, the two lights would come on and off intermittently
while driving and also loose power a little bit. This seems to happen after
driving awhile. Any ideas, we are thinking it could be the alternator.

Keith

 

[VanguardLH]

2003 Ford 350 Van 5.4l

The Battery and Alternator test good. The last time driving the vehicle, the
ABS and Battery lights in the dash came on and the battery completely went
dead. Before this time, the two lights would come on and off intermittently
while driving and also loose power a little bit. This seems to happen after
driving awhile. Any ideas, we are thinking it could be the alternator.

Keith

With a voltmeter, what is the voltage across the battery with the car
not running? What is the voltage when the car is running?

 

[Tony Hwang]

With a voltmeter, what is the voltage across the battery with the car
not running? What is the voltage when the car is running?

Hmmm,
Intermittent short somewhere around ABS sensor wires?

 

[clare at snyder dot ontario dot canada]

Hmmm,
Intermittent short somewhere around ABS sensor wires?

The ABS sensor lite comes on when the charge light comes on - bulb
check.

First thing I would check is the alternator brushes. They are LIKELY
getting short, and possibly worn in the brush holder. Certain
vibrations will float them off the slip rings, and the charging system
will "go on strike". Running with no charging system will kill the
battery.

 

[John Varela]

If so, you're around five years on it. That's not bad for OEM.

My wife's 1999 Forester, bought new in the fall of 1998, still has its
original battery. This is despite the fact that she has only 45,000 miles on
the car -- lots of short trips -- which is not good for a battery.

 

[Valued Corporate #120,345 Employee (B A R R Y)]

My wife's 1999 Forester, bought new in the fall of 1998, still has its
original battery. This is despite the fact that she has only 45,000 miles on
the car -- lots of short trips -- which is not good for a battery.

I have a '99 Jeep Wrangler w/ 55k, purchased 11/98, with the original
battery.

Unlike a typical Subie, the battery on the Jeep is one of the few
original parts remaining. <G>

 

[Tony Hwang]

My wife's 1999 Forester, bought new in the fall of 1998, still has its
original battery. This is despite the fact that she has only 45,000 miles on
the car -- lots of short trips -- which is not good for a battery.

Hi,
Battery life depends a lot on climate. Too cold(like where I am, Canada)
or hot places(like Arizona) is no good for batteries.
With a handy multimeter we ca pretty well point finger which is culprit,
battery or charging circuit or some kind of short or poor connection on
battery and alternator posts/terminals. When something like this happens
I pry open battery cell caps, check the acid in each cell with hydrometer.