1992 Ford F-150 Battery keeps dying.

DURRIEJ

MEMBER
1992 FORD F-150
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
213,000 MILES

I recently replaced my starter solenoid (AutoZone, All silver) I took the truck for a test drive afterwards to make sure everyone was ok. While I was driving the battery gauge was showing the battery charging in the normal range even with the defroster, radio and headlamps on. I even stopped off at a store and shut the truck down for around 30 minutes. The truck started fine, battery gauge again showed it charging in the normal. After getting home and letting the truck set for about 3-5 minutes I went to start it again to move it so I could work on another vehicle and it would not start. The battery gauge showed the battery at 8amps. The starter clicked a few times then the truck went completely dead. I then jumped the battery and started the truck. Again the battery was showing in the normal zone. I took the truck for another test drive and it ran fine. The battery was charging, no rough idle & no cutting out. I stopped along side the road and turned the truck off and let it sit for around 5 minutes. The truck started fine again so I drove home. Once I got home pulling into the drive way I noticed the engine started to cut out a little so I looked at the battery gauge and it had dropped down to around 9-10 amps then eventually just died. I double checked all the ground connections, the new solenoid connections & the drive belts. Everything was fine. I'm completely stumped on this issue.

3 Replies

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

Why did you repalce the solenoid in the first place? Have the battery load tested, sounds like it may be your problem, and it could take out your alt.

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Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 AT 7:50 AM

DURRIEJ

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The solenoid would not enguage normally anymore. You would have to play with it in order for it to finally enguage. I ended up opening the old one and come to find out the contacts were shot.

I ended up buying a new battery today since I figured that was the problem not to mention the battery was obviously too small for the vehicle. 523 CCA when the minimum they recommend is 650 CCA. I installed the new battery and the truck started right up. But I did notice the Battery check like came on and the AMP guage was showing it between 9-10 amps at 2,000 RPM. So I suspect the ALT is not charging the battery. I'm pulling it off tomorrow to have it bench tested. Hopefully that solves the problem.