[Marguerite]

I used the battery pack to start the B yesterday. Perfect until I stalled it letting the clutch out. Second time, no spark when I attached the black terminal to the strut brace and no crank. The battery pack was no longer at full charge so I plugged it in for a couple hours. Full charge now. Try #3, spark like I expected, got in the B and when I turned the ignition on, all the dashboard lights came on then there was a noise and all went black. No try #4. I’m afraid it was the electrical system although the battery died sometime in January and could be at the end of its life. It’s the difference between getting a shop to come out and replace the battery in a dark garage or having it towed. What do y’all think?

 

[39Tudor]

How old is your battery?
If more than 4 years, id pull the battery and take it to one of your local auto parts stores or battery store and let them test it for you. Easy way to eliminate the battery before continued testing and diagnosing.
My guess, battery!

 

[pwd72s]

Sounds like either a bad battery or bad alternator. Do you have a multimeter? First, charge the battery. Second, check volage...when fully charged, should read around 12.6 volts. Third, check voltage when car is running. A good alternator should read around 14 volts at higher revs. If alternator good but battery still goes flat, yes...probably time to replace.

There are new battery testers that measure milliamps of resistance between the posts...but kinda $pendy. These are called Conductance testers. Again, need to start with the battery fully charged to use one.

Pretty good video here:

(edit) Mine is an older model like in the video. If I were buying today, I'd look at other models, perhaps this one:

<iframe width="1268" height="713" src="

" title="TOPDON Battery Tester ArtiBattery 101. Worth every penny." frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[brasil]

same issue here..... the solution was a new battery. a bigger one also - bought a 12 V 72 AH 650cca from Exide. Works like a charme. The old one (Motorcraft ) lasted around 4 years...

 

[FarmerDon]

I vote for a new battery. Surely you know a BULLITTHEAD who could change a battery out for you.

 

[Marguerite]

Turns out my battery is a Motorcraft from Feb 2018 (5 years old) so I’m starting with a new battery since I’ll need one no matter what. I’ll ask the next door neighbor to loosen this battery and I’ll take it in. Terry has all the tools - somewhere.

 

[banzaibullitt]

The first year I owned the B (2019), I didn't realize s197's have an electrical draw and need a battery tender/maintainer when they sit or the battery will go dead within a few of weeks. If that happens it usually kills the battery for good, which mine did. I'll probably get a new one next spring even though it is on a maintainer most of the time.

 

[tossass4370]

Winter kills batteries. To be expected in a 5th year Iowa winter. The price of new batteries is silly.
Motorcraft is good, not sure of the warranty. Advanced Auto Parts sells the Diehard AGM with a full 3YEAR NON PRORATED warranty that I now using, first crapped out just shy of 3 years, so I got another FREE. Most other batteries have just a prorated warranty now from the beginning. My mechanic is now using the Diehards because of the 3 year full warranty, which is then prorated.
Before an Optima RedTop, got 6 years.
Then again, I drive too much track, which kraps out batteries and alternators. Roll the dice...

 

[Iceman62]

Hope it's just a simple battery swap - I bought/installed these Noco-2 maintainers (Amazon) in the Bullitt & my Harley. Work great, convenient & simple means of maintaining.

NOCO - 2-Amp Smart Battery Charger - GENIUS2

The GENIUS2 is a 2-amp battery charger, battery maintainer, and battery desulfator for 6-volt and 12-volt batteries.

no.co

 

[Marguerite]

This is a Motorcraft battery so I’ll get something back on it.

And I’m about to order a Noco-2 maintainer, Iowa winters happen every year.

 

[pwd72s]

Good to have a battery maintainer...clicking on the noco link, seems to be one of the good ones, works on both AGM & standard batteries.

 

[Iceman62]

Found the pic fm 2020, when I installed/mounted...on firewall, next to battery.

 

[Marguerite]

My favorite Ford dealer sent their mobile service van here to the house, changed the battery, and the B is perfect again!

 

[DavidMidgley]

Yay!

 

[tim5933]

Iowa winters happen every year.

Often a couple times a year!

Glad the battery solved it, this was my problem a few years ago, too. After a battery dies once, I don't think it's ever the same again and better off replacing.

 

[jamesgribley]

I too have a charger mounted inside the engine bay...just plug in and wait for spring to come!!