2002 TBird Problems Need Help

[ponycars4ever]

Hello,
i have a 2002 Tbird and the battery some how drianed down this week. I re-charged the battery but when i try to get in the car the alarms sounds but stop with a click of the red button. once in the car i let is run thorough it diagnostic checks and then try to start the car and it will turn over 3-5 times and then a thunk sound and battery does not turn over the car any more.

i have read several post on similar problems but sounded like new battery fixed the problem. this is a new battery only 1 year old.

what can i look at and what does it appear to be?

thank you in advance Jerry

[Bradford]

Re: 2002 TBird Problems Need Help

Have your battery checked, even at 1 year they sometimes go bad, never know how long it sat on a shelf before your purchase. At 1 year most all batteries should have a prorated warranty. Checking the battery is the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to start a diagnostic.

[Lindy]

Re: 2002 TBird Problems Need Help

This is the infamous mystery of the T-Bird's drain on the battery. There are several good theories. One of them is to disarm the proximity guard, one click of the remote instead of two. Another idea, is that when the hard-top is on, there is a bit of drain/bleed from rear defrost. And yet some say that the problem is due to the many electronics that are up and running, even whilst the ignition is off. A good remedy, is the Battery Tender. Battery drain typically takes two weeks, if T-Bird is left in storage. My humble 2 cents worth.

Lindy

[timothy]

Re: 2002 TBird Problems Need Help

Maybe wire brush the terminals??

[Brad]

Re: 2002 TBird Problems Need Help

Lindy, when I had the "drain" it could happen over night. Mine seemed to be the rear defroster with the hardtop issue.

When I do use the defroster I make sure I shut it off prior to shutting the car off. Haven't had a problem since I started doing that.

and yes, I thank everyone in advance for advice about not driving it when cold to avoid the issue all together.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: 2002 TBird Problems Need Help

. Battery drain typically takes two weeks, if T-Bird is left in storage. My humble 2 cents worth.

Lindy

In winter I leave mine unlocked and only start it on the 1st of each month let it run 20 minutes and once up and down the driveway. Battery is fine. I did the same on my other stored cars before it without any problems.

[jerrym3]

Re: 2002 TBird Problems Need Help

Never used the rear defroster in my 2003. Never had to.

My brother-in-law did have a battery issue due to the rear defroster.

[Southern]

Re: 2002 TBird Problems Need Help

jerry, If you have been driving your bird.....there is always the possibility that the Alternator has not been charging the Battery.....

BTW, Welcome to the nest.

[SugarDaddy]

Re: 2002 TBird Problems Need Help

We had the alternator go bad on our T-Bird in 2010. It does happen, so get the alternator output checked while changing out your battery.

The bad alternator cost us another battery (we are one our 3rd one now) before we found that it was not putting out enough power to recharge the system while traveling. Our dealer changed out the alternator, and was paid by our aftermarket vehicle warranty.

We have never used the rear window defroster in either the softtop or hardtop. We only had the hardtop on for one month in early 2002.

[Tbyrdy]

Re: 2002 TBird Problems Need Help

Hello,
i have a 2002 Tbird and the battery some how drianed down this week. I re-charged the battery but when i try to get in the car the alarms sounds but stop with a click of the red button. once in the car i let is run thorough it diagnostic checks and then try to start the car and it will turn over 3-5 times and then a thunk sound and battery does not turn over the car any more.
i have read several post on similar problems but sounded like new battery fixed the problem. this is a new battery only 1 year old.
what can i look at and what does it appear to be?
thank you in advance Jerry

1) Alternator not performing properly
2) Hidden electrical drain
3) You don't start it enough to keep the charge on it

You didn't say how often you use the car. If you do not use it regularly, you need a battery tender.