Home and Auto Need help/advise on possible dead battery.

old_geezer · 01-03-2010, 10:40 AM

Background: my son has a 2003 Ford F-150 pickup. Brand new battery installed last month. He left the dome light on last night and now his truck won't start. I tried to jump start it with my 2007 Chrysler 300. Wouldn't even try to turn over. It is extremely cold right now at 11 degrees. The kicker is his headlights work and radio also. Could it be something besides the battery?

**Bugeater** · 01-03-2010, 10:44 AM

Ford used to use an external solenoid, not sure if they still do, but if it has one I'd try jumping the terminals on it.

**bevischief** · 01-03-2010, 10:49 AM

wait till spring.

**cdcox** · 01-03-2010, 10:55 AM

Pretty useful troubleshooting guide --

http://www.samarins.com/diagnose/index.html

**Bane** · 01-03-2010, 10:56 AM

Cant help,my truck has 3 batteries.

**mlyonsd** · 01-03-2010, 10:56 AM

Shut off all electrical, hook another running vehicle to it and let it sit there and charge for half an hour. Then when you go to start it rev up the vehicle you're jumping it with.

I had this happen this fall with my truck and at first I thought I had a different electrical problem. Just be patient.

HonestChieffan · 01-03-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Ford used to use an external solenoid, not sure if they still do, but if it has one I'd try jumping the terminals on it.

He should hear the "ford click" if the battery has enough juice, otherwise he wont hear a sound.

At these temps batteries are way inefficient and jumping will be hard. Just leave the Jumpers on, go inside make coffee and relax...give it time.

old_geezer · 01-03-2010, 11:06 AM

Thanks for the advice. We're going out now to hook them up again and let my car run for awhile before attempting to start his. Thanks again.

cwhocares · 01-03-2010, 11:13 AM

When the battery goes dead on newer cars, all of the light and other stuff will work but, the engine won't turn over because of a safety feature to keep from burning up the starter. As suggested below, put the jumper cabels on and let it run for awhile (30 minutes or so). If the battery was installed by your son, you might check to make sure the terminals are clean.

stumppy · 01-03-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old_geezer

Background: my son has a 2003 Ford F-150 pickup. Brand new battery installed last month. He left the dome light on last night and now his truck won't start. I tried to jump start it with my 2007 Chrysler 300. Wouldn't even try to turn over. It is extremely cold right now at 11 degrees. The kicker is his headlights work and radio also. Could it be something besides the battery?

His battery probably picked up enough of a charge from the jump to power the lights and radio.

milkman · 01-03-2010, 12:24 PM

Give it a nice burial.

01-03-2010, 01:23 PM

2007 Chrysler 300? Don't mess your battery up, OG. If I'm not mistaken, your wheel and fender have to be removed to replace it. Brilliant engineering.

old_geezer · 01-03-2010, 01:25 PM

Final update; It wouldn't start after 20 min, 30, and 45; but at the one hour mark it started and I just came back from driving all over town to build it back up. At least it's 4-wheel drive with all this 8+@$%!*! snow on the ground. Thanks again for the help.

JOhn · 01-03-2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old_geezer

It is extremely cold right now at 11 degrees.

Now that's funny.

old_geezer · 01-03-2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOhn

Now that's funny.

Hey now - I'm not the one who chose to live in the Antarctic.

01-03-2010, 10:40 AM
old_geezer bite me Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Windsor, Mo. Casino cash: $-2415262	Need help/advise on possible dead battery. Background: my son has a 2003 Ford F-150 pickup. Brand new battery installed last month. He left the dome light on last night and now his truck won't start. I tried to jump start it with my 2007 Chrysler 300. Wouldn't even try to turn over. It is extremely cold right now at 11 degrees. The kicker is his headlights work and radio also. Could it be something besides the battery?
Posts: 2,194

01-03-2010, 10:44 AM	#2
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $3992680	Ford used to use an external solenoid, not sure if they still do, but if it has one I'd try jumping the terminals on it.
Posts: 70,546

01-03-2010, 10:49 AM	#3
bevischief .... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somewhere Kansas Casino cash: $7729352 VARSITY	wait till spring.
Posts: 27,771

01-03-2010, 10:55 AM	#4
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $-588231	Pretty useful troubleshooting guide -- http://www.samarins.com/diagnose/index.html
Posts: 46,032

01-03-2010, 10:56 AM	#5
Bane C.H.I.E.F.S Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: **** your face Casino cash: $10005055	Cant help,my truck has 3 batteries.
Posts: 12,621

01-03-2010, 10:56 AM	#6
mlyonsd Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Spink, SD Casino cash: $-2226238	Shut off all electrical, hook another running vehicle to it and let it sit there and charge for half an hour. Then when you go to start it rev up the vehicle you're jumping it with. I had this happen this fall with my truck and at first I thought I had a different electrical problem. Just be patient.
Posts: 39,480

01-03-2010, 11:06 AM	#8
old_geezer bite me Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Windsor, Mo. Casino cash: $-2415262	Thanks for the advice. We're going out now to hook them up again and let my car run for awhile before attempting to start his. Thanks again. __________________ If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris you may be only seconds away from death.
Posts: 2,194

01-03-2010, 11:13 AM	#9
cwhocares Starter Join Date: Mar 2008 Casino cash: $8610068	When the battery goes dead on newer cars, all of the light and other stuff will work but, the engine won't turn over because of a safety feature to keep from burning up the starter. As suggested below, put the jumper cabels on and let it run for awhile (30 minutes or so). If the battery was installed by your son, you might check to make sure the terminals are clean.
Posts: 395

01-03-2010, 12:24 PM	#11
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	Give it a nice burial. __________________
Posts: 70,769

01-03-2010, 01:23 PM	#12
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	2007 Chrysler 300? Don't mess your battery up, OG. If I'm not mistaken, your wheel and fender have to be removed to replace it. Brilliant engineering.
Posts: n/a

01-03-2010, 01:25 PM	#13
old_geezer bite me Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Windsor, Mo. Casino cash: $-2415262	Final update; It wouldn't start after 20 min, 30, and 45; but at the one hour mark it started and I just came back from driving all over town to build it back up. At least it's 4-wheel drive with all this 8+@$%!*! snow on the ground. Thanks again for the help. __________________ If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris you may be only seconds away from death.
Posts: 2,194