Battery question...

1205 Views 20 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Bullitt#610, May 3, 2009

Jimbob

Discussion Starter · Jan 19, 2009

Here's what's happening. If I let my '08 Bullitt sit idle (it's in storage) for more than a week without starting it, I find the battery stone dead.

This just doesn't seem right. My old "beater" has a bargain basement "re-built" battery in it and will start after sitting idle for a month (in the outdoors at minus zero temps).

If Ford placed one bad battery in 20,000 into a car coming down the assembly line, mine would be the one. That said, if it is defective, is the battery covered under warranty?

Thanks!

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

Dodging Bullitt

· #2 · Jan 19, 2009

There are other threads that cover the drainage issue with the battery. It appears that because of the electronics that they do drain after a few weeks. Some have had them go longer by shutting off the radio and fan before parking the car. But the solution is to disconnect the battery and install a battery tender (I prefer the battery tneder jr). This will maintain the charge of the battery. (I also recommend gas stabilizer if the car is being stored for over a month). The manual state to disconnect the negative terminal if the car is being stored.

Items that are normal maintenance items (like the battery and tires) are not covered by the manufacturer warranty. Maybe the battery has its own warranty. You can ask the Ford dealer about this.

Bullitt 736

· #3 · Jan 19, 2009

Here ya go.

http://www.imboc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154385

Jimbob

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 19, 2009

Dodging Bullitt said:
There are other threads that cover the drainage issue with the battery. It appears that because of the electronics that they do drain after a few weeks. Some have had them go longer by shutting off the radio and fan before parking the car. But the solution is to disconnect the battery and install a battery tender (I prefer the battery tneder jr). This will maintain the charge of the battery. (I also recommend gas stabilizer if the car is being stored for over a month). The manual state to disconnect the negative terminal if the car is being stored.

Items that are normal maintenance items (like the battery and tires) are not covered by the manufacturer warranty. Maybe the battery has its own warranty. You can ask the Ford dealer about this.

Thanks, Al. I will pick up a battery tender. What type of stabilizer is best (or does it matter)?

Jimbob

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 19, 2009

Bullitt 736 said:
Here ya go.

http://www.imboc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154385

Thanks for the thread link, Charles. I'm on it!

JC2954

· #6 · Jan 19, 2009

StvMcQueen said:
Thanks, Al. I will pick up a battery tender. What type of stabilizer is best (or does it matter)?

Sta-Bil brand, or Marvel Mystery Oil.

Can't go wrong with either, but the Sta-Bill will keep it fresh a bit longer.

Bullitt_5135

· #7 · Jan 19, 2009

The battery on my 01 was covered under warranty when it started acting up.

I think you should be able to leave a new car like this sit for at LEAST a month before you have battery issues.

I would take it in and have them make it right.

Dodging Bullitt

· #8 · Jan 19, 2009

StvMcQueen said:
Thanks, Al. I will pick up a battery tender. What type of stabilizer is best (or does it matter)?

I use Sta-bil - it seems to do the trick. I can't speak to the other brands.

betoesca

· #9 · Jan 19, 2009

You can also check the age of the battery by looking for a sticker on the side of it and there will be a hot stamp of the date on the lip/side of the cover.
I worked in the battery business for many years and can tell you that there are chances you got an old battery or maybe the battery didn't form properly. Meaning that during the initial deep charge the plates did not form properly. Either way like some other members have mentioned take it back to the dealer and have them replace it. Also, if a battery is not formed properly there is no fixing it.

Jimbob

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 19, 2009

Bullitt_5135 said:
The battery on my 01 was covered under warranty when it started acting up.

I think you should be able to leave a new car like this sit for at LEAST a month before you have battery issues.

I would take it in and have them make it right.

Thanks, Kevin. Yeah, it's worth a shot at least. I'll let you know what they say.

Matt Cook

· #11 · Jan 19, 2009

On Sat I got mine out for a quick cruise, gotta get her out while we can, was decent day and roads were dry, salt mostly gone from roads. She had been sitting for 2 weeks, no problem starting at all. I wish you good luck getting problem resolved.

Jimbob

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 19, 2009

Matt Cook said:
On Sat I got mine out for a quick cruise, gotta get her out while we can, was decent day and roads were dry, salt mostly gone from roads. She had been sitting for 2 weeks, no problem starting at all. I wish you good luck getting problem resolved.

Thanks, Matt. By the way, where's "Ona, WV?" My wife-unit grew up near Chapmanville (Logan area). Ring any bells?

Matt Cook

· #13 · Jan 19, 2009

StvMcQueen said:
Thanks, Matt. By the way, where's "Ona, WV?" My wife-unit grew up near Chapmanville (Logan area). Ring any bells?

Ona is between Char and Huntington. I have been to CHapmanville many times, I bought my Bullitt at Thornhill Ford in Chapmanville. My work area covers all of the Southwestern part of the state, am down there quite often. Ever get down this way?

pylonracer

· #14 · Jan 20, 2009

I left my car in the driveway cince the begining of November to jan 15th It started right away. And there was a foot of snow on her!

pylonracer

· #15 · Jan 20, 2009

and i forgot I have that tricle charge rust profing. It hooks up to the batery and gives the chasis a negative charge. Weird litle box, I'll let you know if it works in 10 years, LOL

RL Hudson

· #16 · Feb 6, 2009

I am a semi truck driver and mine sits for 6 weeks or more. I come home and she starts right up. So far.

woodj

· #17 · Feb 6, 2009

I had quite a few problems with the battery in my 05 GT when I first got it. It would be dead after a week or so of sitting. Put a charger on it and it would be fine only to repeat the process again. Read a few things and decided it was probably the Shaker causing the problem. Unloaded all the CDs that were in there and since doing that I have left the 05 sitting for a month at a time without any issues. The battery is now over 4 years old and it's still starting the car.

Big Daddy

· #18 · Feb 16, 2009

Jim,

How did you ever make out with this? Did Ford replace your battery?

After 10 weeks of storage my Bullitt started right up

BlackFink

· #19 · Feb 18, 2009

My 07 Mustang GT's battery would go dead in 5 weeks. I took it to the dealership to have my electrical system checked for excessive amp draw. It was pulling 25 mile-amps when the ignition was off. Ford states that 40 mile-amps is considered excessive amp draw. So my last Stang was normal.
I disconnected my Bullitt's battery this year.
Do you have the active alarm system ?

Dan Busch

· #20 · Feb 18, 2009

Mie started right up, once I remembered to push in the clutch. It was about 8 or 9 weeks since it was stored. I did turn everything off before parking it. I got to believe that there is something wrong, loose wire, or short if it is happening regularly.

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

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