Hey,
I have a 07 F150 and I am having an issue....

The symptoms:
1) Occasionally when I start it all the needles on my dash shutter for a few seconds before they actually register. - started last weekend
2) Occasionally the truck sorta sputters/chuggs while idling - at start up as well as when at a light etc... The RPM doesn't change much and there is no unusual noise associated - progressively getting worse over the last week or so
3) on the way to work on monday, it had a few good sputters and then the check engine light went on... still had acceleration power but occasionally chugged.
4) I had the doors open while cleaning it for about an hour and a half. I turned off the interior lights and no power was turned on - including radio... I tried to start the truck and with each attempt to turn it over it lost power...

Troubleshooting comments :
1) battery posts are secure
2) wires are in good shape
3) took it for good drive and nothing bad happened
4) engine light off since being boosted

I feel like I have narrowed it down to two things:
1) the bat has a weak voltage and needs to be replaced; or,
2) the alternator is on its way out

I really don't want to go buy a new battery, and find out its actually the alternator or vice versa...

looking for verification of the issue or opinions...

Cheers!
k

 

Batteries only good for about 4 years . They can cause a lot of grief. Go to auto zone let them test the alt and load test battery .
If you have a meter you can watch voltage come up when running. Lead acid batteries do not like being fully discharged they rarely recover .
Batteries are expensive we all have to take the hit every now and then .

 

What is the date on the battery ? You could troubleshoot if you own a multimeter... flickering cluster leads me to a bad voltage regulator in the alt.