First Battery Installed

[2k2tbird]

Re: First Battery Installed

Just replaced my 9 year old battery today.

[jerrym3]

Re: First Battery Installed

Replaced the battery in my 2004 LS a few weeks ago. Purchased a Motorcraft from Ford and installed it myself.

(I have family members that retired from Ford, so we get parts at dealer pricing from Ford and/or Motorcraft distributors, plus the Z plan. I worked five years for Ford in the 60's.)

Unfortunately, we don't get parts discounts when the dealer does the work.

One of the easiest installation I've ever done, even with the vent issue. Took five minutes, if that, and most of the time was spent looking for the right sized tools.

(My toolbox/drawers are a mess.)

[V8 Cat]

Re: First Battery Installed

Replaced 6 year old battery today. The original in our 2005 would not go to full charge on the Battery Tender anymore. So rather than wait for it to fail (that usually happens and the most inconvinent times and places), I took it to the Ford dealer.

[00mustng]

Re: First Battery Installed

....couple of things....I remember years ago...someone posted on this forum his having an Optima installed in his NM....the gasses ruined the painted areas of the trunk interior and all had to be re-finished...I bought a brand new '80 Audi 5000...owned it for 10 years until it was rear ended and written off...the battery was under the back seat...and was vented.

[FUN X 3]

Re: First Battery Installed

The battery in my 2002 is still going strong after almost 99,000 miles, but I think we will replace it as a preventative measure just before we head to Texas for Texas Thunder. I'm really having to fight the cheap b*****d in me, but I'm going to do it. I would hate to have it conk out in the middle of a long trip.

[islandtime]

Re: First Battery Installed

In honor of Moondoggie's 6th birthday, his battery died this morning. No time to deal with it this week (20 people coming for a Mardi Gras dinner this weekend - much to do), so guess it'll be replaced next week. Called my service rep and told her to make sure she had the right battery in stock, and to call me when she knew. Heavy sigh.

[farmbird]

Re: First Battery Installed

If you don't want to loose the memory, you can buy a cirgarette lighter plug and a 9volt battery plug and connect them together. Plug in a 9volt battery and plug into the lighter receptical. This will will retain the memory while you are changing the battery.

[V8 Cat]

Re: First Battery Installed

In honor of Moondoggie's 6th birthday,

That's about the same time mine died - about 4 weeks before its 6th birthday (date of delivery).

[TATDC]

Re: First Battery Installed

Had to replace mine last month on my 2002. Went to start it, no power any where, not even remote would release the trunk. Sears only one with the battery at 8:30 at night. They were going to test it but told them it was a 2002 and he said it had a good life and was probably over due for living in a desert. Changed battery, slightly harder than typical batteries due to access. Noted the mirror lights were on and thought that was strange. Blame my 16 year old for it and of course he and my wife denied it. Then went to dinner 2 weeks later, valet the car same restaurant as 2 weeks earlier. Got home and lights would not go out, checked and again light knob was turned to manual. SOOO... the valet turned the lights on manually and it ended up draining the battery. IF I let the Sears tech check the battery I just may still have the original!!

[V8 Cat]

Re: First Battery Installed

checked and again light knob was turned to manual. SOOO... the valet turned the lights on manually and it ended up draining the battery.

He probably needed the light while he went through your "stuff". Don't you just love places that only have valet parking?

[jerrym3]

Re: First Battery Installed

Still running the original battery in my 2003 (18,000 miles). No battery tender.

Went dead about two years ago from a long period of non-use and the fact that I left the alarm on.

No problems since.

[islandtime]

Re: First Battery Installed

In honor of Moondoggie's 6th birthday, his battery died this morning. No time to deal with it this week (20 people coming for a Mardi Gras dinner this weekend - much to do), so guess it'll be replaced next week. Called my service rep and told her to make sure she had the right battery in stock, and to call me when she knew. Heavy sigh.

Update: I didn't have to replace the battery. Put the charger on it for a day, and it has been running fine ever since. Test shows fully charged, so I'm not going to replace it yet.

[gladiator99]

Re: First Battery Installed

Had to replace my battery 2 years ago in our 02 Bird. At that time the dealer had a battery in stock and he just pulled it off the shelf. So I took it home and installed it. However, I noticed that it was over 2 years old and had sat on the shelf, Now last fall this battery failed to start my bird after sitting in the car for 2 weeks........So I charged it up although the charger indicated only about 80 % charge. so I removed it and took it back to my Ford dealer for a warranty replacement. He tested the battery and tells me that it is fine???? Now I put the car away for the winter and had my son in law charge the batteries in our stored vehicles while we are away for the winter. Now he advised me that that battery will not take a charge at all. I suspect the plates became sulfated and there may be a few cells that are shorted out. I just hope the dealer will honour the replacement warranty. I may have to look for a fresh battery that has venting. Now the fun starts.
Jim

[RQTBIRD]

Re: First Battery Installed

Ordered a new battery yesterday as a precaution for the trip to Texas Thunder. Just went out tonight and the original battery started the 2002 right up. 31,000 miles on what is probably considered a garage queen as it sits most of the winter. Hope the new battery will give me the same years of service.

[RQTBIRD]

Re: First Battery Installed

Installed my first replacement battery TWICE.
Was going by Spence's directions and every thing was going fine until I was just about done and all of a sudden I dropped the 8mm socket. Damned if I could find it with a flashlight or magnet. Ended up taking the battery back out, along with spare tire. Still no where to be found. Then I took the black casing that holds the battery in place plus the fuse? box that is also connected to it. Low and behold it was under this casing. How it got there, I have know idea. Wouldn't have been so bad, but the socket was borrowed from my neighbor as the smallest I had was 9mm. If it would have been mine I would have left it.