Should I replace my battery?

[timothy]

Just purchased an 02 Thunderbird and had the car checked over. The mechanic said it was the original battery and that it is working just fine. Would I be avoiding problems down the road by replacing it now? TRowand

[FUN X 3]

Re: Should I replace my battery?

My car is a daily driver with 83K+ miles, original battery still strong. Just was on vacation for 10 days in Texas, left the Bird at home, car fired right up when we got back. I'm comfortable with local driving, but I probably will replace it before the next time we travel on a long trip in the car. Or it will poop out one day when I'm driving near home.

[YLO BRD]

Re: Should I replace my battery?

Tim, I've been thinking the same thing, my car is an 02, original battery, no problems, starts right up but, being that old, can I really still trust it?

[snowbird]

Re: Should I replace my battery?

Tim, I've been thinking the same thing, my car is an 02, original battery, no problems, starts right up but, being that old, can I really still trust it?

We have an '03 Bird with the original battery. Sitting all winter, the battery went down a bit and had to charge it a few times. The charge went fine on the battery. I would be more concerned with what the 'alternator' is doing once the motor has been started. After all, the battery is only there to start the engine and keep some minor items powered while sitting. Once the motor has been started, you can remove the battery. The alternator should put out about 14.5 volts when running to keep the engine running and keep the battery up on charge. If the alternator dies, then the only voltage you have is the battery and that will slowly go down and the engine will stop running. A decent voltage/ohm meter will allow you to do these checks.
MartinB.

[Gobird]

Re: Should I replace my battery?

Tim, I just replaced the one in my 02 a little over a month ago. It bit the dust and went dead!

[leisha]

Re: Should I replace my battery?

We have a 02 and a 04.
This winter I stored for 6 months!, as usual!!!!

The 02 has started every spring , including again a few days ago.

The 04 didn't start after the first storage winter 04 /05 or 05/06 or 06/07.
Last winter I put a battery tender on the 04 and it started!!!


Have not changed either battery.
I had a 2000LS V8 and never changed the battery, sold it in 2007.

Regards.

[2Redbirds57/02]

Re: Should I replace my battery?

Had my original battery tested today at my local Ford dealer and it tested 80 percent good. It's been in service for almost 7-1/2 years. The service manager said he would like to sell me a new battery but said the battery is still good and he would not replace it.

[archiea]

Re: Should I replace my battery?

Tim, I just replaced the one in my 02 a little over a month ago. It bit the dust and went dead!

Gobird how fast does it die? I think the concern is that it will go from working to dead in a cycle. For instance my '04 has a battery that sometimes strains to turn over the engine after its been off for two days in the cold. I hope its the battery and not the alternator.

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Should I replace my battery?

I'd say whether to replace it preemptively or not depends on how/where you drive the car. If you're going to be around town or only traveling in relatively large cities then it won't matter as much if you come out to start your car and it won't start.

However, if you are like those of us that travel long distances, sometimes in remote areas, you might not want to come out of rest stop and find that your car will not start.

Since tha car takes a relatively specialized battery, I just didn't want to take a chance on having that problem, so I replaced our 7 year old battery last year.

[timothy]

Re: Should I replace my battery?

maybe I should just carry one of those little portable jump starters in my massive trunk?

[z06bigbird]

Re: Should I replace my battery?

Preventive maint saves a ton of sweat--summer is a comin.

[Ediron]

Re: Should I replace my battery?

When the battery died in my 04 it just died stone dead.The Bird was running the day before.I couldn't get it going with a battery pack it was so dead just about turned over.I went to my L/M dealer and bought a new battery.As I've posted before a battery under daily use in S.Fl. will last 3-5 yrs. They only warranty them for 3yrs.due to the heat.

[Catbyrd]

Re: Should I replace my battery?

I used to have to replace the battery in my Toyota Celica convertible every couple of years. This T-bird battery is totally amazing.

[buddy]

Re: Should I replace my battery?

Highly recommend you change it or it will let you down at the most opportune moment
51 years of experiences with batteries.of course you will hear people sat had that battery for ten years and no trouble" that's great but it wont help you and the wife at 2am on some lonely road. only my 2 coppers. Buddy

[WVIncagold]

Re: Should I replace my battery?

Just purchased an 02 Thunderbird and had the car checked over. The mechanic said it was the original battery and that it is working just fine. Would I be avoiding problems down the road by replacing it now? TRowand

You will but then again you may be just premature. as long as your battery is holding a charge and starting your car fine i would not worry about it. Keeping a battery tender on it will help also during those periods when it is garaged.