I put the truck on a float charger Tuesday night since it had been grumping about the battery. I let the charge run all night. The truck got a significant OTA overnight update. Wednesday morning, it started just fine. All my radio presets were gone, so I put some back. Got to work without any issues. Came the time to go home and it was having a fit; the adjustable pedals didn't like me putting my foot on the brake, the instrument panel looked like a disco screen and no start. Took my jump box and battery tester in this morning. The battery tester showed "weak" and when I flipped the switch to simulate a start and the needle dropped to nuthin'. The jump box proved useless (as they always have), but I was able to jump it off my Explorer.

The dealer's mobile service is bringing out a battery in the morning. I had to leave it at work again tonight I've heard of batteries failing at ten months and 6.600 miles, but this is a first for me.

 

My son went thru 3 batteries with his Explorer. We gave up on MC batts and put in a Walmart and issue went away.

 

That's a bit weird, since there are only four companies who actually manufacture batteries. While chewing my nails waiting for the mobile unit response, I shopped an Interstate battery at Costco: $180. Hard to convince myself to do that though.

 

Mike,

I’m reading this on my phone and not seeing your signature with your truck details, so not sure how old your truck is.

I had my factory H7 battery fail at 43K miles at 3 years and 10 months. 4 years is the average battery life on most new vehicles these days.

I had a battery tender at home but didn’t want to get stranded in the next few weeks. Just get a new battery and forget about it.


BTW - I got my replacement battery (H7, 800 CA) at Walmart installed and tax for $200.

 

Ten months, 6.600 miles. "Just get a new battery" was certainly an option, but considering the cost and the OEM still under warranty ... The OEM battery in my Ram made it well past nine years. The battery in my wife's 300C also made it past nine years. I suspect the Explorer will want a new battery before fall (and brother, is it a pain).

 

Is your truck still under warrantee?

 

Fortunately, yes.

 

My original battery died at less than 2 years while the truck was parked in an airport garage for a few days with no clue it was about to go bad. It couldn't even be jumped. Now I have a DieHard Platinum that's going strong after 3 1/2 years.

 

I've had good luck with those Ever Start batteries in my 89 Mustang with a 466 BBF engine in it!!

 

10 months is way too early for battery failure. glad it's under warranty.