2002 battery replacement

[couture]

best replacement battery....my 2002 original battery crapped out finally

[merlot4]

The car requires a vented battery. I have replaced mine with OEM Ford, and been pleased with it.

[007161947]

Motorcraft vented battery from the dealer.

[007Cruiser]

Let’s see. The OEM battery lasted for an incredible 18 years. What to buy? What to buy?

[2K2BIRD]

Let’s see. The OEM battery lasted for an incredible 18 years. What to buy? What to buy?

That's a pretty tough decision ..... not.

[Frank Dreano]

And don't forget to go through the window calibration and drivetrain "learning process" after installing a new battery - procedure is in the owner's manual...

[Alamobird]

Purchased the Alamobird in 2012. I replaced the battery a second time in March 2019 with another vented Motorcraft BXT-66-750. The battery I replaced had been installed in August 2014 by a dealer, but I noticed it had a manufacture date of March 2014. It was 5 months old when it was installed.

Last year, I called 3 local Ford dealers and the Lincoln dealer. All had the battery in stock, but when I asked them to check the manufacture date, the latest was April 2017. The Lincoln parts manager admitted that the battery she had should have been replaced long ago. I finally ordered a new one which arrived a day later with a manufacture date of February 2019. After proration, the cost was about $55.00. The proration was based on the installation date, but why buy an old battery if you can avoid it.

This is apparently a low demand item that can stay on the shelf for a long time. Buyer beware.

[tiotaco]

who makes vented batteries

[007Cruiser]

Motorcraft for sure

[5bird7]

We replace ours with the correct Motorcraft from Ford in the past. Always have been the best price compared to other brands.

Best thing to do before you ever leave the dealer with the "new" battery is to make sure it's fully charged.

[EllisonCal]

Most of these Thunderbird batteries die from lack of use after many years of being on trickle chargers, but after 4-5 years of normal use they don't have the same voltage you want for operating the electric fuel pump which draws current every time you start the car. My '04 car didn't start as quickly as the '05 until I put in a new Motorcraft vented battery. The fuel pump now develop the pressure needed to start the engine properly. For something so rarely replaced it makes no sense to nickel dime the purchase to save maybe $20-$40 on a cheaper battery than the OEM version.