Bad Starting Battery

charlie56 · 10-20-2009, 06:01 PM

I just returned from having the SMB in the shop for a battery problem.

http://sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3692

Turned out to a bad starting battery. Thought you might enjoy reading the service invoice. Total cost of the diagnostic and replacement was $603.07. 100% covered by the warranty.

Ed in Montana · 10-22-2009, 06:05 AM

You bum! My starter batteries failed exactly 24 hours after their warranty ran out.

My local Ford dealer has done such a good job with many things on the SMB, that I decided not to argue about this one.

Jeffrey · 10-22-2009, 10:09 AM

My two 6L TD starting batteries crapped out 1.5 years from new. Dealer replaced them under warranty, with not too much moaning and groaning about the SMB conversion.

sdwindansea · 02-09-2010, 09:10 AM

I think I may be in the same boat. Went out to the van this morning after not driving it for 3 days. The scan gauge for the starting batteries read 7.7v. Three days ago, everything seemed normal. My van is a couple months over 2 years old now. Good to hear that the batteries are under warranty. It's also good to hear that others have had their starting batteries die this quickly...and even quicker.

charlie56 · 02-09-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdwindansea

I think I may be in the same boat. Went out to the van this morning after not driving it for 3 days. The scan gauge for the starting batteries read 7.7v. Three days ago, everything seemed normal. My van is a couple months over 2 years old now. Good to hear that the batteries are under warranty. It's also good to hear that others have had their starting batteries die this quickly...and even quicker.

Just make sure they replace both of them or you will be back there again real soon.

sdwindansea · 02-19-2010, 04:42 PM

Just got back from the Ford dealership. They replaced both starting batteries under warranty. Took about 3.5 hours as they had to run tests on each battery before replacing them.

bitburger · 02-20-2010, 03:15 PM

My starter batteries also went bad this month, 18 months or so after purchase.

The dealer replaced them with no complaints other than the difficulties in getting them out.

Ford_6L_E350 · 02-20-2010, 03:52 PM

My starting batteries were working fine. But, they were over 5 years/70K old, so when my dealer said "Free installation" I replaced them with the same battery - $160 for both batteries replace!

I can afford to do that every 5 years.

Mike

John and Dana · 02-24-2010, 10:31 AM

My starting batteries also were just replaced, 18 months and 20K miles. The dealer said the alternator was over charging and had damaged the batteries. Only one battery was bad, I know this because when I would plug in to shore power it would start to cook. I was under the van doing some service and heard a sizzling noise and tracked it down to the batteries, one of which was very hot. It must have been shorted internally and I am glad it didn't catch fire.

My dealer replaced both batteries and the alternator without complaint.

John

**daveb** · 02-24-2010, 04:30 PM

Several people on this site have had problems like this. I know Ford said it was being overcharged John, but because the end result seems to be the same for those of us who had experanced this problem, it has me wondering. Twice for me W/I 5 years but never a problem with the house batteries. Ford also told me the first time it was the alternator and replaced it but refused to replace both batteries and soon the other failed. I helped a buddy replace both the next time. I later had Ford install a 200A alternator. After that I lost another battery that was only 1 year old. I had a electrical shop check my alternator and it's good. Might make for a good Poll.

Its always been only one battery that failed.
I have solar. (I was told the solar does not charge my chassis batteries and it seems true)
I frequently shore charge overnight before each trip.
I always plug in at home but leave the charger off.
I replaced my alternator with a high amp and still had a problem.