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Battery/Startup Issue - 1998 Ford F-150
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TexasHays
New User
May 15, 2015, 9:20 PM
Post #1 of 5
(1405 views)
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Battery/Startup Issue - 1998 Ford F-150
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I have a 1998 F-150 with 306k miles on it. V8 Triton. All electrical wiring was replaced about 4 years ago, the battery about 3 years ago, the alternator not quite 2 years ago.
Two months ago the truck wouldn't start, I was in a hurry so didn't clean the terminals too much but was that seemed to be the issue. I flaked off as much corrosion as I could, it started, and I went about my way and then promptly forgot about the issue.
Then my power locks went out, which I should have put two to two together but didn't. And it was taking longer to start. Three weeks ago it happened again, I cleaned it fairly spotless by hand but it still wasn't starting so I got a post brush (metal brush) and cleaned them spotless. The truck started and all seemed back to normal.
The last few days it started taking longer to start again and finally today it stopped starting. Its slightly different from previously. The last two times it wouldnt even attempt to start, but now its at least clicking. I cleaned the battery terminals and the clamps, and while the door lights and power locks now work, it still won't start, only click.
My hunch is the battery terminal clamp should be replaced, is that a good idea? It doesnt seem like the alternator, and there has been no check engine light which happened the last time the alternator needed to be replaced.
Maybe the battery itself? My idea is that the connection/corrosion issues have finally lowered the battery strength too much but a clamp replacement and a jump from a friend might solve the problem?
I'm not engine savvy at all so any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 16, 2015, 4:13 AM
Post #2 of 5
(1395 views)
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Re: Battery/Startup Issue - 1998 Ford F-150
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Rethink saying "all electrical" was replaced? NO.
This smacks of cable end issues but must still know battery is good - test it newer or not when charged up. Outer part of clamps at battery are not so great new and really need periodic greasing there and at other ends as well. You said you were "flecking" off corrosion already and it can grow into wire hidden by insulation too needing new cables or now finding more cable ends only at some age.
Good ends if needed. Wild quality differences out there - don't skimp. It may be substandard junk now already replaced?
Can't really test out anything well until battery and its connections are all known good - greased too, "dialectic" electrical grease best. If nothing it won't last for crap,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 16, 2015, 4:16 AM
Post #3 of 5
(1393 views)
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Re: Battery/Startup Issue - 1998 Ford F-150
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It sounds like nothing gets taken care of until the truck won't drive any more. If you expect to keep driving a truck with that many miles on it, then you are going to have to start maintaining these things properly. You have a severe connection problem that you just keep touching up and never completely fixing.
The first step is to have the battery tested. Once the battery is known good, then you may have to replace the whole battery cable. The only place to get that is the dealer. Those cable ends are only temporary and if the corrosion has traveled through the cable, only a new cable will resolve the issue.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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TexasHays
New User
May 16, 2015, 12:30 PM
Post #4 of 5
(1382 views)
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Re: Battery/Startup Issue - 1998 Ford F-150
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Thanks for the help guys!
I'm sorry if it sounds like nothing gets taken care of but I can assure you I take good care of it. There's a reason it has as many miles as it does. Just corrosion is one of those things that is such an easy fix that it lulls me into thinking nothing else is going on.
I tested the battery, it was great and still had plenty of charge. Before I got a ride to test the battery I removed the clamps, noticed the positive one had rusted through where the wires connected so I cut the wire tips off, stripped the cable, and then put in new battery clamps after getting back from the store. It started right up with no issues.
I then followed the battery cable to its other connections and noticed no issues so I'm fairly confident the problem is resolved.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 16, 2015, 12:40 PM
Post #5 of 5
(1377 views)
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Re: Battery/Startup Issue - 1998 Ford F-150
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Sounds like you got it resolved. We can close this now.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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