We have a 2003 F150 4x4 5.4 ltr engine, automatic transmission. When my wife was driving it today, it suddenly stopped running. When she tried to start it, the starter solenoid clicked but there was not enough juice to turn over the engine. I boosted it and it started up and she drove it about 2 km and it stopped running again.

symptoms:

-engine will start with a boost but dies a few minutes later.
-instrument gauges and gauge lights do not work while the engine is running. All gauge needles sit at zero.
-headlights, taillights, and interior lights all work perfectly until the engine quits, then gradually they fade out as the battery goes flat.

I checked the PCM/cluster fuse under the dash and it is OK.

Any ideas?

 

One of three things most likely.
1. Bad battery (replace. If over 6 years old replace regardless)
2. Alternator (test and replace if needed, will drain and kill battery if bad)
3. Bad battery wire and connections or poor ground on the battery cable due to rust etc (rare but it happens.)
Can't think of anything else.
My guess? Based on experience I suspect bad battery, and the age does not matter since I have seen batteries go bad due to defects in just a couple of days.
If it is the battery remember it has a pro rated warranty and they should discount the new batter based on the age of the old battery if it is still in warranty.

 

From the symptoms, I'd bet money on it being alternator.

 

Have charging system diagnosed seperately, battery needs to be load testing and then alternator. Make sure whoever does the testing knows what they are doing or you will end up spending a bunch of money.

My first guess is the battery though, and its probably already hurt the alternator...

 

I would agree with a malfunction in the charging system, but the battery light should illuminate if there is a problem with the battery itself or the charging system. I'm guessing "boost" is just another word for jump, and listen carefully next time you go to start up the truck. If there is a continued ticking noise that means the battery isn't being charged, but there is a chance it is still good. However if the ticking noise happens for only a short time, but then you get absolutely no noise like the negative lead to the battery is disconnected, then the battery is completely shot. You know just a quick tip if you don't have a load tester, but I would definitely opt for getting one.

 

if it runs for a bit after boosting and then dies a bit after you unhook the cables or pack, its the alt. its nots charging. after you fix that and get the battery charged up good, test the battery to see what kind of state its in. Original battery is probably getting weak anyways after that long, my 01 650 cca batt just tested the other day at 375 cca so i replaced it just to be safe. PLus the new ones are about 850 cca to its a good improvement.

 

Thankyou to everyone that answered my querie. The problem was the alternator. Got it replaced and everything is good.