Dead Battery Poll - thunderbirdnest.com

5bird7 · Jan 21, 2005, 10:18 AM

My battery has never gone dead in the 2.5 years we've had this T-bird but others seem to have this problem so I'm running this poll to see how frequent the problem is.

The above poll will accept multiple answers and show who was polled so please don't go overboard like some of you I know and check them all. The results of this poll will be going to high up the ladder at Ford thru Philip Wegener from PowerSports. You only get one chance to use the poll so please check all that apply

Please make comments about your answers, too.

ps - hope I covered enough for the poll. If not, I can't change the poll options but you can make your comments about your battery problems below.

See previous discussions about dead batteries here:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1969

AZTB · Jan 21, 2005, 10:36 AM

It's normal for me to go through no more than 2 summers in Phoenix and have to replace a battery. I am about to enter the 4th summer with the original battery; perhaps it's because it's in the trunk and stays cooler, who knows...but I've not experienced any battery issues at all (which for me, again, is quite unusual).

Jan 21, 2005, 10:45 AM

Since it's is a known problem it would be interesting to see if those that have not ever had a battery failure ever use the hardtop back window defroster.

AZTB · Jan 21, 2005, 10:50 AM

Every time I have, Quickdraw, I've made it a point to turn it off manually.

5bird7 · Jan 21, 2005, 10:50 AM

WE've used the window defroster a few times and no problem has occurred but for the most part the car is garaged at night and no defroster needed in the mornings.

Bruce · Jan 21, 2005, 11:48 AM

This is the second winter I have stored my '03 and the battery has never gone dead. I do not have a battery tender on it so I start it every 4-6 weeks.
I also have never had the hardtop on or used the rear window defroster.

00mustng · Jan 21, 2005, 11:52 AM

......Does the dead battery issue span all years?....just wondering.....

CHRIS · Jan 21, 2005, 12:03 PM

My battery has never gone dead and I have not ever used the back window defroster.

5bird7 · Jan 21, 2005, 12:08 PM

Martin, the issue spans all years. This problem seems to crop up the most during the winter. hardtop use may be involved.

The few times we've used the rear window defroster, it's been with the softop up, not the hardtop.

CaliforniaBeachGirl · Jan 21, 2005, 12:20 PM

My battery on my 2004 was dead in the showroon when I purchased the car (does that count). They said the guys in the showroom listened to sports on the radio. I did notice that the rear window defrost needs to be turned off manually.

cruz720 · Jan 21, 2005, 12:31 PM

Last week the serpentine belt on my explorer broke so I was forced to uncover the funnest car I've owned and drive it every where I could think of. when I got home with a new belt I parked the T-bird it it's usual place then worked on the 98 explorer. During the exchange of belts I heard a high pitched electronic buzz..or siren.. or some other of that nature coming from the engine compartment. I never could locate the exact location. but I'm sure it was from the T-bird. It almost sounded like a fuel pump cycling.
Any one have a thought??

FUN X 3 · Jan 21, 2005, 12:32 PM

I drive my car year-round, 5 months with hardtop, use the rear defrosted occasionally, never had problem with battery.

YLO BRD · Jan 21, 2005, 12:32 PM

My 2002 has never gone dead, the car is winter stored with a battery minder on it and never started over the winter. My hard top has never been put on the car since bringing it home from the dealer.

trpar · Jan 21, 2005, 12:47 PM

Battery has never gone dead, but then, I have never used a rear window defroster. In fact, it started fine yesterday after no start for about two months.

shiftz33 · Jan 21, 2005, 12:54 PM

Our 2004 PCR's battery has gone dead once. It was after driving the PCR on Thanksgiving evening (75 miles one way / 90 minute trip) and using the rear window defroster (RWD) on the hardtop. By Saturday morning the battery was completely dead. That was the first time we had used the RWD. The RWD module should turn it off after 10 minutes of use. It didn't seem to do that successfully that night even though the LED on the RWD button was off.

Service department stated existing TSB for the RWD module leaving the RWD on does NOT apply to 2004 T-Birds.

CarolinaTKE · Jan 21, 2005, 01:11 PM

My battery has gone dead multiple times. I have the hard top installed, but have never used the rear defroster, as the car is never parked outside except for a few hours at a time and never at night. I took her to the dealership yesterday morning and my mechanic said that the hardtop's defroster was turning itself on at random times when the car was parked and ordered a part to correct the problem.

007Bird007 · Jan 21, 2005, 01:33 PM

Have had my 03 TBird since Sept. 03. The battery went dead last winter, stored in the garage under cover. We will see what happens this winter, although we plan to use a trickle charger on it and our Cobra during the time they are stored. A lot of visitors, family, etc. wanted to look at the car last winter, so the door was opened and shut quite a few times, so the window went up and down quite a few times.

Gobird · Jan 21, 2005, 02:04 PM

We do the same as Fun X 3 and never a problem. Going on three winters now.

MATBird · Jan 21, 2005, 02:08 PM

My 2002 never failed, to date - 1st year no battery tender, but now I have one hooked up for the winter months. Just want to be proactive.

Skip · Jan 21, 2005, 03:15 PM

My car sits most of the winter. The first winter (2001-02), it sat for about 6 weeks, was hard to start, but did crank over. Winter # 2 (2002-03), it sat for over two months, and would not start. A trickle charge took care of getting it running. Winter # 3 (2003-04), it again sat for about 6 weeks, and had to be jump started. Numerous times. It would run great for several days, then would not start, often after having been run a short time earlier (same day, an hour or two earlier). Replacement of the starter relay seemed to fix the problem. I'm trying to use the car, or at least run it, at least weekly this winter.

Skip

Johnny Gumballs · Jan 21, 2005, 04:25 PM

My battery was dead in the lot before I took it home from the Ford dealer! They went to start the car to prep it, and boom! Dead battery. Its been fine since.

SKIPIFE · Jan 21, 2005, 04:39 PM

It has only happened to me once, so far, and it was after using the rear window defroster, I put the charger on it, some relays clicked a few times, and it has been fine ever since, I have not had to take to the dealer for that problem, did tell the service manager about it but thats as far as it went.

Joe Varey · Jan 21, 2005, 05:14 PM

Being poor my Bird is used everyday. In the year and half that I've owned it,its never failed to start. In addition I've had to use the rear defroster countless times. We had a 007 Bond Bird in our dealership not long ago and he had 400 miles on it and he stated that the battery had gone dead several times. We tested the battery and it passed. After talking to him I ran SSM's & TSB's and found that the ATC control had some issuses so we replaced it as best guess, Hve not heard anymore from him soooooooo I assume no news is good news.

AZT442 · Jan 21, 2005, 06:22 PM

3000 miles on the PCR... Never had a dead battery and have never had to use the rear window defogger. The car has been in service since 16 March 04.

JimC · Jan 21, 2005, 08:13 PM

Approaching the 3rd year for my 02, never had a problem. This is the latest I have driven it so far.

1st winter put her under wrap in late Nov until mid march. Started engine once a month.

2nd winter put her under wrap in Nov, but had to bring her back out in Dec as my other vehicle (86 F150) developed problems and had to drive the bird in the snow (handled nice). Didn't get her under wraps soon enough and she sat under snow cover for about 3 weeks until it melted. Then cleaned her up and put her back in hibernation under her wrap for the next month.

Hope to get her under wrap within the next couple of weeks. Have problems with the truck again!.

Have used the rear window defroster a few times, but also turned it off manually. Wasn't aware that it would shut off automatically. Have not had any problems with the battery and don't use a tender.

View Poll Results: Dead Battery? How Often?
My battery has gone dead once	32	15.02%
My battery has gone dead more than once	23	10.80%
I've had to replace the battery once	10	4.69%
I've had to replace the battery more than once	1	0.47%
My Ford dealer fixed problem and hasn't reoccurred	5	2.35%
Ford dealer fixed problem but it's still happening	2	0.94%
Ford dealer has been unable to find cause of battery drain	6	2.82%
My battery has never gone dead.	149	69.95%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 213. You may not vote on this poll

Jan 21, 2005, 10:18 AM	#1
5bird7 Still Cruisin' :), Donating Member Dot , Location: Rhome, TX Joined TBN: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,613 Dot's T-Bird 57 Willow Grn; 02 blue; 05 Inca; with Performance White hardtop Accent: all white; full accent blue; partial white TOTM Win: Dec 02, Dec 06, Feb 09	Dead Battery Poll My battery has never gone dead in the 2.5 years we've had this T-bird but others seem to have this problem so I'm running this poll to see how frequent the problem is. The above poll will accept multiple answers and show who was polled so please don't go overboard like some of you I know and check them all. The results of this poll will be going to high up the ladder at Ford thru Philip Wegener from PowerSports. You only get one chance to use the poll so please check all that apply Please make comments about your answers, too. ps - hope I covered enough for the poll. If not, I can't change the poll options but you can make your comments about your battery problems below. See previous discussions about dead batteries here: http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1969 Last edited by 5bird7; Jan 25, 2005 at 08:16 AM.

Jan 21, 2005, 10:36 AM	#2
AZTB Donating Member Jim Dubé Location: Phoenix, AZ Joined TBN: Jul 2002 Posts: 5,003 Jim's T-Bird 2005 inca gold with performance white hardtop Accent: partial	Re: Dead Battery Poll It's normal for me to go through no more than 2 summers in Phoenix and have to replace a battery. I am about to enter the 4th summer with the original battery; perhaps it's because it's in the trunk and stays cooler, who knows...but I've not experienced any battery issues at all (which for me, again, is quite unusual).

Jan 21, 2005, 10:45 AM	#3
Quickdraw Guest Member Posts: n/a	Re: Dead Battery Poll Since it's is a known problem it would be interesting to see if those that have not ever had a battery failure ever use the hardtop back window defroster.

Jan 21, 2005, 10:50 AM	#4
AZTB Donating Member Jim Dubé Location: Phoenix, AZ Joined TBN: Jul 2002 Posts: 5,003 Jim's T-Bird 2005 inca gold with performance white hardtop Accent: partial	Re: Dead Battery Poll Every time I have, Quickdraw, I've made it a point to turn it off manually.

Jan 21, 2005, 10:50 AM	#5
5bird7 Still Cruisin' :), Donating Member Dot , Location: Rhome, TX Joined TBN: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,613 Dot's T-Bird 57 Willow Grn; 02 blue; 05 Inca; with Performance White hardtop Accent: all white; full accent blue; partial white TOTM Win: Dec 02, Dec 06, Feb 09	Re: Dead Battery Poll WE've used the window defroster a few times and no problem has occurred but for the most part the car is garaged at night and no defroster needed in the mornings.

Jan 21, 2005, 11:48 AM	#6
Bruce Life is real GOOD! Bruce C Location: Southeastern, RI Joined TBN: Aug 2003 Posts: 7,012 Bruce's T-Bird 2003 & 2005 Torch Red & Inca Gold Accent: Black & Black	Re: Dead Battery Poll This is the second winter I have stored my '03 and the battery has never gone dead. I do not have a battery tender on it so I start it every 4-6 weeks. I also have never had the hardtop on or used the rear window defroster. __________________ Bruce '03 Torch Red '05 Inca Gold 1 of 82 *'07 Saleen / Parnelli Jones 302SC Mustang* ' Last edited by Bruce; Jan 21, 2005 at 12:11 PM.

Jan 21, 2005, 11:52 AM	#7
00mustng Member Martin Dickinson Location: Calgary, CAN Joined TBN: Jun 2004 Posts: 754 Martin's T-Bird 02 & 81 Insp.Yellow& Fawn/Bittersweet Accent: Full Accent& Fawn Cloth	Re: Dead Battery Poll ......Does the dead battery issue span all years?....just wondering.....

Jan 21, 2005, 12:03 PM	#8
CHRIS Member CHRIS Dunlap Location: Brandon, MS Joined TBN: Sep 2003 Posts: 687 CHRIS's T-Bird 2002 PREMIUM BLACK Accent: FULL RED/BLACK	Re: Dead Battery Poll My battery has never gone dead and I have not ever used the back window defroster.

Jan 21, 2005, 12:08 PM	#9
5bird7 Still Cruisin' :), Donating Member Dot , Location: Rhome, TX Joined TBN: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,613 Dot's T-Bird 57 Willow Grn; 02 blue; 05 Inca; with Performance White hardtop Accent: all white; full accent blue; partial white TOTM Win: Dec 02, Dec 06, Feb 09	Re: Dead Battery Poll Martin, the issue spans all years. This problem seems to crop up the most during the winter. hardtop use may be involved. The few times we've used the rear window defroster, it's been with the softop up, not the hardtop.

Jan 21, 2005, 12:20 PM	#10
CaliforniaBeachGirl Member Member Location: San Clemente, CA Joined TBN: Dec 2004 Posts: 78	Re: Dead Battery Poll My battery on my 2004 was dead in the showroon when I purchased the car (does that count). They said the guys in the showroom listened to sports on the radio. I did notice that the rear window defrost needs to be turned off manually.

Jan 21, 2005, 12:31 PM	#11
cruz720 Member Greg Cruz Location: Chattanooga, TN Joined TBN: Jan 2005 Posts: 10 Greg Cruz's T-Bird 2002 Whispering White Accent: none	Re: Dead Battery Poll Last week the serpentine belt on my explorer broke so I was forced to uncover the funnest car I've owned and drive it every where I could think of. when I got home with a new belt I parked the T-bird it it's usual place then worked on the 98 explorer. During the exchange of belts I heard a high pitched electronic buzz..or siren.. or some other of that nature coming from the engine compartment. I never could locate the exact location. but I'm sure it was from the T-bird. It almost sounded like a fuel pump cycling. Any one have a thought??

Jan 21, 2005, 12:32 PM	#12
FUN X 3 Member Phil "PK" Location: northern va, VA Joined TBN: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,637 Phil "PK"'s T-Bird 2002 Blue Accent: Full TOTM Win: Aug 2004	Re: Dead Battery Poll I drive my car year-round, 5 months with hardtop, use the rear defrosted occasionally, never had problem with battery. __________________ PK- 2002 Premium Blue/Full Accent/Whisper White Top VIN#16336 Built April 22, 2002 Purchased July 24, 2002

Jan 21, 2005, 12:32 PM	#13
YLO BRD Member Joanne Campau Location: Livonia, MI Joined TBN: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,855 Joanne's T-Bird 2002 Inspiration Yellow Accent: Full	Re: Dead Battery Poll My 2002 has never gone dead, the car is winter stored with a battery minder on it and never started over the winter. My hard top has never been put on the car since bringing it home from the dealer.

Jan 21, 2005, 12:47 PM	#14
trpar Donating Member Ted Parker Location: Ralston, NE Joined TBN: Jan 2004 Posts: 309 Ted Parker's T-Bird 2003 Torch Red Accent: Black Ink	Re: Dead Battery Poll Battery has never gone dead, but then, I have never used a rear window defroster. In fact, it started fine yesterday after no start for about two months. __________________ trpar 2003/Torch Red/Torch Red/Black Ink

Jan 21, 2005, 12:54 PM	#15
shiftz33 Member Robert Location: Cameron Park, CA Joined TBN: Mar 2004 Posts: 202 Robert's T-Bird 2004 Monterey Mist Green Accent: Ash Colored Hard top	Re: Dead Battery Poll Our 2004 PCR's battery has gone dead once. It was after driving the PCR on Thanksgiving evening (75 miles one way / 90 minute trip) and using the rear window defroster (RWD) on the hardtop. By Saturday morning the battery was completely dead. That was the first time we had used the RWD. The RWD module should turn it off after 10 minutes of use. It didn't seem to do that successfully that night even though the LED on the RWD button was off. Service department stated existing TSB for the RWD module leaving the RWD on does NOT apply to 2004 T-Birds. __________________ 04 Ford Thunderbird Pacific Coast Roadster #428 / 06 Chevy SSR Black/Silver two tone / 08 Infiniti G37 Coupe / 06 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Jan 21, 2005, 01:11 PM	#16
CarolinaTKE Small Town Lawyering Andrew Cox Location: Aiken, SC Joined TBN: Jan 2004 Posts: 185 Andrew's T-Bird 2003 Black/Black Premium Accent: White Accent Package	Re: Dead Battery Poll My battery has gone dead multiple times. I have the hard top installed, but have never used the rear defroster, as the car is never parked outside except for a few hours at a time and never at night. I took her to the dealership yesterday morning and my mechanic said that the hardtop's defroster was turning itself on at random times when the car was parked and ordered a part to correct the problem.

Jan 21, 2005, 01:33 PM	#17
007Bird007 Member Christine Location: Avon, OH Joined TBN: Nov 2003 Posts: 3 Christine's T-Bird 2003 Coral Accent: Performance white	Re: Dead Battery Poll Have had my 03 TBird since Sept. 03. The battery went dead last winter, stored in the garage under cover. We will see what happens this winter, although we plan to use a trickle charger on it and our Cobra during the time they are stored. A lot of visitors, family, etc. wanted to look at the car last winter, so the door was opened and shut quite a few times, so the window went up and down quite a few times. __________________

Jan 21, 2005, 02:04 PM	#18
Gobird TBN Music Man Spence Haldeman Location: Sebring, FL Joined TBN: Jul 2002 Posts: 9,015 Spence's T-Bird 2002 Full T-Bird Blue Accent: Full TOTM Win: June 2006	Re: Dead Battery Poll We do the same as Fun X 3 and never a problem. Going on three winters now. __________________ IT'S 5 O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE

Jan 21, 2005, 02:08 PM	#19
MATBird Member George Location: C'ford, MA Joined TBN: Jul 2002 Posts: 5,177 George's T-Bird 2002 Black with Black hardtop Accent: Full Black Accent TOTM Win: Nov. 2006	Re: Dead Battery Poll My 2002 never failed, to date - 1st year no battery tender, but now I have one hooked up for the winter months. Just want to be proactive.

Jan 21, 2005, 03:15 PM	#20
Skip Member Skip Location: Bel Air, MD Joined TBN: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,292 Skip's T-Bird 2002 Premium w/hardtop Torch Red Accent: Full Red	Re: Dead Battery Poll My car sits most of the winter. The first winter (2001-02), it sat for about 6 weeks, was hard to start, but did crank over. Winter # 2 (2002-03), it sat for over two months, and would not start. A trickle charge took care of getting it running. Winter # 3 (2003-04), it again sat for about 6 weeks, and had to be jump started. Numerous times. It would run great for several days, then would not start, often after having been run a short time earlier (same day, an hour or two earlier). Replacement of the starter relay seemed to fix the problem. I'm trying to use the car, or at least run it, at least weekly this winter. Skip

Jan 21, 2005, 04:25 PM	#21
Johnny Gumballs Chrome Rules! John N Location: Long Beach, NY Joined TBN: Apr 2004 Posts: 3,572 John's T-Bird 2004 Silver w/ Black Top Accent: Full Black w/ Ink TOTM Win: March 2007	Re: Dead Battery Poll My battery was dead in the lot before I took it home from the Ford dealer! They went to start the car to prep it, and boom! Dead battery. Its been fine since. __________________ Johnny Gumballs T Bird Vending LLC Check Out My Website: tbirdvending.com

Jan 21, 2005, 04:39 PM	#22
SKIPIFE Member Fred (SKIP) Mattfield jr. Location: Tacoma, WA Joined TBN: Jun 2003 Posts: 965 Fred (SKIP)'s T-Bird 2003 Premium/traded Mountain Shadow Gray Accent: North Western American	Re: Dead Battery Poll It has only happened to me once, so far, and it was after using the rear window defroster, I put the charger on it, some relays clicked a few times, and it has been fine ever since, I have not had to take to the dealer for that problem, did tell the service manager about it but thats as far as it went. __________________ SKIPIFE <>< PSALM 118:8 73 GMC M/H 07 SIERRA DENALI 08 ROAD KING 08 GMC CANYON C/C 09 Cadillac CTS4 PLEASE BUY AMERICAN

Jan 21, 2005, 05:14 PM	#23
Joe Varey Member Joe & Celina Varey Location: SpringHill, FL Joined TBN: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,131 Joe & Celina Varey's T-Bird 2003 Wisper White Accent: Black	Re: Dead Battery Poll Being poor my Bird is used everyday. In the year and half that I've owned it,its never failed to start. In addition I've had to use the rear defroster countless times. We had a 007 Bond Bird in our dealership not long ago and he had 400 miles on it and he stated that the battery had gone dead several times. We tested the battery and it passed. After talking to him I ran SSM's & TSB's and found that the ATC control had some issuses so we replaced it as best guess, Hve not heard anymore from him soooooooo I assume no news is good news.

Jan 21, 2005, 06:22 PM	#24
AZT442 Member Pete Hodgkins Location: Casa Grande, AZ Joined TBN: Mar 2004 Posts: 382 Pete Hodgkins's T-Bird 2004 Monterey Mist Green Accent: Ltd Edition Pacific Coast Roadster	Re: Dead Battery Poll 3000 miles on the PCR... Never had a dead battery and have never had to use the rear window defogger. The car has been in service since 16 March 04. __________________ 2004 Pacific Coast Roadster #442 1FAHP63A04Y107651 Modifications: Borla Exhaust Odometer reading as often as possible!

Jan 21, 2005, 08:13 PM	#25
JimC Member Jim Campbell Location: Severn, MD Joined TBN: Nov 2003 Posts: 249 Jim's T-Bird 2002 TBird Blue Accent: Partial	Re: Dead Battery Poll Approaching the 3rd year for my 02, never had a problem. This is the latest I have driven it so far. 1st winter put her under wrap in late Nov until mid march. Started engine once a month. 2nd winter put her under wrap in Nov, but had to bring her back out in Dec as my other vehicle (86 F150) developed problems and had to drive the bird in the snow (handled nice). Didn't get her under wraps soon enough and she sat under snow cover for about 3 weeks until it melted. Then cleaned her up and put her back in hibernation under her wrap for the next month. Hope to get her under wrap within the next couple of weeks. Have problems with the truck again!. Have used the rear window defroster a few times, but also turned it off manually. Wasn't aware that it would shut off automatically. Have not had any problems with the battery and don't use a tender. __________________ JimC __________________________________________ 02 TBird Blue Deluxe, Partial Blue Interior, TB Blue top, TB BLue Logo caps, TB Blue Dice, Crome Hood Scoop, Crome Oil Cap, TBird logo floor & Trunk mats, TBird Bra. Config 1 of 15 (1 of 658 TB Blue Deluxe)