WEAK BATTERY?

[WILLIAM SHIREY]

I have a 2000 Navigator that I bought in Oct'03. I believe the battery is original.
I don't drive it much, and after sitting for 2 weeks, it would not start. I charged it all day, and the next day it would not start. Battery voltage after charging is about 12.5 V and current draw with everything off is 300 mA. I think this is called parasitic current. Does this look excessive?
With alternator charging, battery voltage is 14.7 V.
The battery is never completely dead, just too weak to turn over the engine.
I think I need a new battery. Does anyone have an opinion? :confused:

[ekooke]

12.5 volts with everything off is a nearly fully charged battery that should twist the engine on its mounts at startup.
The 300ma current draw IS excessive, sounds like a light on somewhere (hood, glove box, etc.).
If the battery shows 12.5 volts after sitting OVERNIGHT, it's like new, and your starting problem is elsewhere (starter, starter cable, dirty terminals. etc.)
BTW, 14.7 volts charging is a little HIGH (but still OK) for a Ford product, that's more like a GM vehicle charging rate. Can you check the electrolyte fluid level on your battery; it may be low on water?

[pro-five-oh]

Hey there William! Long time no see! Do you still have your LSC? smile.gif

I agree with ekooke, the drain looks to be a bit much. Disconnect the hood light (if Navis have one) and make sure all the dome lights are turned off. Check the rear hatch and glass door to make sure they turn off the lights when you close them.

[WILLIAM SHIREY]

Hey Pro:
On my Navigator, I've decided to buy a NAPA battery. If it drains down, I'll head to the dealer; I have extended warranty, but it doesn't cover batteries.
Yeah, still got my LSC ride. It runs great. After the catalytic converter replacement adventure, it would still hesitate when accelerating. Nobody had a clue.
Turns out the gas filter was dirty and causing too much pressure drop.
Also, another issue is I think the fuel pressure regulator is bleeding back to the gas tank. I have to cycle the ignition switch several times for the fuel pump to build up pressure to the injector manifold. The regulator bolts on the CFI body from underneath and I hear the gasket is hard to come by. I can live with it the way it is.

I still have not changed the air bags on the suspension. Been working overtime since forever and with the warmer weather the bags won't leak down as fast. It's on my to-do list.
Pro, if I remember correctly, weren't you in school at U. of Houston? Have you finished up there? Moved on to bigger and better things?
Maybe this thread should be under Mark VII's?
:D