04 ford explorer battery gauage not working, how to diagnose?

Asked by deandickson Jul 18, 2019 at 04:00 PM about the Ford Explorer

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

needle on gauge does not move, stays below the {low} level, now battery 4yrs old is not keeping charge to start engine after it sits awhile, had alternator checked, ok, battery was at 11.7 volts,  had to jump to start, but need to know if gauge is the problem or if  new battery will be ok without futher diagnosis, not sure about the gauage or what caused it to quit working awhile ago, any suggestions on what or how to diagnose if gauge is problem or if battery needs replaced, don't want to ruin a new battery either. Thanks

2 Answers
40,015

beatupchevy answered 5 years ago

I would say the batt has a problem , maybe a charge would help but at 4 years old and holding only 11.7 volts I'd say it should be replaced

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26,835

taver91 answered 5 years ago

Buy a new battery. Four years is at the life expectancy of typical wet cell batteries. Your gauge may come to life or still be inop but at least you have bought extended life for your vehicle while you fix/replace the gauge. 11.7 is too low and may leave you stranded somewhere.

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