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Help: Battery went dead, but then checked out OK...
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capecodmama
Novice
Jan 24, 2007, 6:27 PM
Post #1 of 11
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Help: Battery went dead, but then checked out OK...
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(did a quick search and didn't find this problem out there... apologies if it is and pls just refer me to it!)
2004 Ford Explorer with 90K miles. Yesterday, started car and "door ajar" light was on. All doors checked fine, drove fine. That night, it started with ABS light on. This morning, started with all needles on dash flickering below 0 for about 5 seconds, then drove fine. Then, around noon, it wouldn't start. Battery put in 11/05 by dealership. I jumped the car and brought it there thinking I got a bad battery. $85 later for a 2 hour wait just to read the computer, they want me to bring it back and they can't give me an estimate. Here's the tech talk from the receipt:
"Perform charging system diag. Battery low on charge. Recharged battery, checked alternator, charging OK. Test for draw on system, no draw detected. Check memory DTC B2659 Door Ajar Detected Checked all ajar switches OK. DTC C2900 Low voltage to ABS system. Checked ABS system OK. Recommend cust leave truck overnight so dealer can install voltage meter and monitor draw on elect system."
They charged up the battery and it's started 3 times for me this afternoon/evening. Like nothing is wrong. But, that onboard comp is reading out just what I saw, but I don't know if that's a cause or an effect.
Thanks for reading this far! Can I get this done at a local repair shop, or do I need to go back the 25 miles to the dealership with my toddler and wait all day for him to do whatever he's telling a young, harried-looking mom???? They don't offer a loaner program, and we're a 1-car family right now. Any advice on how soon I need to do it and what this should cost? I've turned off everything "extra" that's electrical on the car -- the auto-headlights, the auto-interior lights, anything that might be tweaking the battery to act weird. I'm a high school science teacher on maternity leave, so I'm decently handy and can understand electrical panels in the classroom, but a novice car person.
My toddler and I thank you SOOO much so we don't spend another wasted day at the Ford Dealership!!!!
- Julie
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tut2261
User
Jan 24, 2007, 8:49 PM
Post #2 of 11
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Re: Help: Battery went dead, but then checked out OK...
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It sounds like you have a door ajar switch sticking. This is very common in Fords. The dealer should have been able to tell what switch is the problem. My guess is the drivers door.
The ABS code is normal. This happens anytime the voltage drops below 11 volts.
You could have a battery or charging system problem. A local shop could address the concern. However they may look at it and tell you to take it to the dealer.
I have seen things as small as a cell phone charger or a radar detector drain the battery over a couple of days worth of sitting. Do you drive it everyday?
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capecodmama
Novice
Jan 25, 2007, 5:55 AM
Post #3 of 11
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Re: Help: Battery went dead, but then checked out OK...
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Thanks for the quick response! The guy at the dealership said he checked the 2 switches for which we've had lights on (ABS and door ajar), and "checked all switches OK".
Didn't know that about the ABS light -- thanks, and that makes sense as it was after the ajar light. I think I will call the local shop to see if they can handle it.
I have never used a phone car charger or radar detector, or anything that plugs into the car. We listen to CDs and not radio, but only listen to CDs when car is running. I do drive it every day, but most often trip is 1.5 miles to town. It's cold here, but not ridiculous. Anything else I'm not thinking of that could cause this???
Thanks again for the thoughts and questions. Anything to get this fixed. Haven't tried it yet this morning.
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tut2261
User
Jan 25, 2007, 5:19 PM
Post #4 of 11
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Re: Help: Battery went dead, but then checked out OK...
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It might be a bad battery.
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capecodmama
Novice
Jan 25, 2007, 5:38 PM
Post #5 of 11
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Re: Help: Battery went dead, but then checked out OK...
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I wish I knew. The dealership said they checked it and it isn't the battery, and it has started multiple times since (and it was 20 degrees today). They said something's drawing on the battery, they just can't tell what yet. The good news is that the local mechanic said he thinks he can find the problem in about 2 hours of work, and we have an appt for Tuesday. It's running perfectly now, so we'll see through the weekend.
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tut2261
User
Jan 25, 2007, 5:54 PM
Post #6 of 11
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Re: Help: Battery went dead, but then checked out OK...
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If it does have a draw it should only last for 45 min after you shut it off and close the door. It has a battery saver relay that shuts every thing off except for the keep alive memory, (i.e. the radio and onboard computer memory) witch has to be less than 0.500 Amps. If something is intermitantly drawing more than 1/2 an amp it will drain the battery.
Just an idea look in your power point( cig lighter) If something small and metalic fell into it like a coin it could cause this.
If you have an aftermarket alarm system it could be faulting.
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capecodmama
Novice
Jan 26, 2007, 11:01 AM
Post #7 of 11
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Re: Help: Battery went dead, but then checked out OK...
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It's started the past 2 days now just fine. I checked both power points and nothing in there -- thank you for that suggestion! I really was hoping that was it!!
Any other possibilities I might be able to check here? Or, should I keep driving and wait for a problem?? It is not my first choice in winter and with a toddler, but it seems silly to spend money to have someone try to fix something that now seems it ain't broke...
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tut2261
User
Jan 26, 2007, 3:56 PM
Post #8 of 11
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Re: Help: Battery went dead, but then checked out OK...
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It could be ok! Could have been certain circumstances. Your right makes no since to replace parts that may not be the problem. But you like you said with and little one your vehicle needs to be reliable.
Just a thought you can purchase a suitable battery charger from Wal Mart or a parts store for around $40.00. It would save you if there is no one around home to get a jumpstart from. It won't jumpstart the engine but it would charge the battery enough to start. It would still be wise to carry a set of cables. If it continues then you should get it looked at. It doesn't hurt to be presistent with the repair facilities.
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capecodmama
Novice
Jan 26, 2007, 6:00 PM
Post #9 of 11
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Re: Help: Battery went dead, but then checked out OK...
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Thanks, tut, for all the help. I think we're going to cancel the appt and go with the possibility that something fluky happened (inside ice somewhere, weird metal connection somewhere, etc) which drained a healthy battery, so upon recharge, all's well. It could happen again, and monkeys could fly out of the tailpipe. One never can predict! Thanks again -- if you need help with chemistry or toddlers, let me know :)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2007, 8:35 PM
Post #10 of 11
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Re: Help: Battery went dead, but then checked out OK...
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Hi,
Know that the battery itself can have and intermittent short inside it and hard to diagnose when they take a charge and behave for a while. If that is so it can quickly take out your alternator. Good luck with it, T
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1980_FORD_F100
New User
Jun 26, 2007, 10:43 PM
Post #11 of 11
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Re: Help: Battery went dead, but then checked out OK...
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you could check the battery cables for any sort of corrosion battery cables thathave been coroded have been known to make batterys loose charge or refuse charge from the alternator simple fix heat weater on stove or just use ordanary hot water and when you are ready add bakeing soda to the water and pour all over battery terminals after you remove the cables and try and use a wire brush to remove all of the buildup of corrosion on the cables and terminals.
1980 Ford F100
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