why cant my truck hold a charge?

Asked by JustinNagowski Jan 14, 2016 at 11:16 AM about the 2003 Ford F-150

Question type: General

i own a f-150 XLT trition v8. i have a new battery and altenator. when i charge
the battery it will start and run, then the battery life will slowly drop down to
nothing and the truck dies.

5 Answers

27,460

I'd have to check wiring circuits for battery and generator. It sounds like the charging system isn't working for some reason. With a fully charged battery, everything off, use a digital voltage meter across battery posts, note the reading. Then start the vehicle, take second reading across battery posts, the second reading should be higher than the first if charging system working. Does your charge lite on the dash work? With engine running, it's the alternator that should carry the load. The charging system has fusible links and fuses.

27,460

Another thought is excessive amp draw with everything off, draining the battery?

35,295

If your charging system turns out to be charging properly, check for dirty cables/terminal but if everything turns out to be ok, disconnect battery with everything off and try just touching battery post with the terminal and see if you see a big arc, if you do, you may have something shorted or left on that's causing your battery to drain

It is not charging properly, only putting out approx. 10 to 11 volts, not near enough, it should be about 14.5v. min. The battery alone with all off shows 12.5v

Your Answer:

F-150

Looking for a Used F-150 in your area?

CarGurus has 15,725 nationwide F-150 listings starting at $1,712.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    OJ
    Reputation
    42,470
  • #2
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    16,040
  • #3
    Rowefast
    Reputation
    15,840
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
171 Great Deals out of 5,940 listings starting at $3,995
Used GMC Sierra 1500
128 Great Deals out of 6,854 listings starting at $3,975
Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
27 Great Deals out of 1,201 listings starting at $8,995
Used Toyota Tundra
47 Great Deals out of 1,145 listings starting at $5,999
Used Toyota Tacoma
54 Great Deals out of 1,033 listings starting at $8,708
Used Dodge RAM 1500
4 Great Deals out of 80 listings starting at $4,000
Used Ford Ranger
15 Great Deals out of 1,439 listings starting at $2,888
Used Ford Mustang
49 Great Deals out of 1,268 listings starting at $4,995
Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
20 Great Deals out of 1,146 listings starting at $8,999
Used GMC Sierra 2500HD
17 Great Deals out of 1,712 listings starting at $12,900
Used Ford F-350 Super Duty
36 Great Deals out of 2,603 listings starting at $8,888
Used Ford Explorer
81 Great Deals out of 2,024 listings starting at $2,999

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.