Battery bad? Phantom Drain?
09-01-2018, 11:52 PM
#1
Battery bad? Phantom Drain?
Here's the situation:
A few days ago was jumping into the truck for work and it had a very weak turn of then engine then a rat-a-tat-tat click of the starter = no start.
Put the jumpers on it and it immediately started.
In retrospect, it did seem like starting the truck was getting more belabored...but that's in hindsight.
Since then, I've mostly had to jump it to get it going.
Battery is 5 years old and has a little bit of bulging.
NOW before you say, just replace the battery or have it checked at your local place...I've done that and one of their tools said it was good and one said it was bad.
Here's where it get's troubling. I had the battery hooked up in the truck and the multimeter started (at the time) at 12.20V, which is below norm, but would see a .1 drop in voltage every 3 seconds.
Had the local place charge the battery back up for testing and checked the voltage reading 3 hours later (and unconnected to the truck) and it still reads a strong 12.53V.
Phantom drain? I'm not sure where to go with this...Bad alt? Starter solenoid?
Specs:
2008 Lariat 5.4L 3V - 4x4
280K miles
A few days ago was jumping into the truck for work and it had a very weak turn of then engine then a rat-a-tat-tat click of the starter = no start.
Put the jumpers on it and it immediately started.
In retrospect, it did seem like starting the truck was getting more belabored...but that's in hindsight.
Since then, I've mostly had to jump it to get it going.
Battery is 5 years old and has a little bit of bulging.
NOW before you say, just replace the battery or have it checked at your local place...I've done that and one of their tools said it was good and one said it was bad.
Here's where it get's troubling. I had the battery hooked up in the truck and the multimeter started (at the time) at 12.20V, which is below norm, but would see a .1 drop in voltage every 3 seconds.
Had the local place charge the battery back up for testing and checked the voltage reading 3 hours later (and unconnected to the truck) and it still reads a strong 12.53V.
Phantom drain? I'm not sure where to go with this...Bad alt? Starter solenoid?
Specs:
2008 Lariat 5.4L 3V - 4x4
280K miles
09-02-2018, 03:02 AM
#2
If you want to know if there is a constant drain on the battery or not, you should use a DC ammeter in series with battery cable and battery post.
09-02-2018, 06:05 AM
#3
05 5.4l 3v s.crew lariat
If you get 3-4 years out of a battery you are doing good
Battery bulged is a bad sign , if it ruptures its going to make a mess . . While it is distasteful spending $100 on a new battery we all must do it . Summer heat kills batteries not the cold . Cold just slows down the electric activity in all batteries, when fall hits its shows up the weak ones . Keep your truck in the cool helps but once it goes downhill its over . No sense fighting this with an old battery .
09-02-2018, 06:19 AM
#4
Senior Member
Battery bulged is a bad sign , if it ruptures its going to make a mess . . While it is distasteful spending $100 on a new battery we all must do it . Summer heat kills batteries not the cold . Cold just slows down the electric activity in all batteries, when fall hits its shows up the weak ones . Keep your truck in the cool helps but once it goes downhill its over . No sense fighting this with an old battery .
