Starting problem

Tiny
LAUREL BUCKOUSIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 FORD FOCUS
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 184,000 MILES
We took it to the dealership several times and are still eventually have to take it back in for the same problem. They have replaced the starter and the battery cable harness. Last time we took it in they said it was because we do not have a Ford battery. Does it have to be a Ford battery? The battery my husband installed is from AutoZone.
Saturday, February 10th, 2018 AT 10:57 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,879 POSTS
You need to have the correct post design, mounting method, and physical size to match what the car uses. Very few people buy Ford batteries because they charge much more than necessary. Aftermarket batteries are fine.

You said you are having the same problem, but you did not say what that problem is.
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Saturday, February 10th, 2018 AT 2:11 PM
Tiny
LAUREL BUCKOUSIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for your help. What I meant by the same problem is the trouble starting the car like it is the battery, even though it is a new battery and has been tested. We put a charge on the battery like the mechanic told us to do and it will last a couple of weeks and then we have to do it again. I think it is the right battery, but do you have a certain one you would recommend for our car listed above?
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Sunday, February 11th, 2018 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,879 POSTS
You are describing a charging system problem. It is the job of the generator to recharge the battery after cranking the engine, and to run the entire electrical system. One way they can fail is when one of the six "diodes" fails. Those are one-way valves for electrical current flow. When one fails all you will be able to get is exactly one third of the generator's rated current. You did not list the engine size, so I guessed, and found a common generator for your car is a 120-amp unit. With a failed diode, all you will be able to get is 40 amps, but only at very high engine speeds, and that is not enough to meet the demands of the electrical system under all conditions. The battery will have to make up the difference until it slowly runs down over days or weeks.

The charging system needs to be tested by your mechanic, but you can start the test yourself with an inexpensive digital voltmeter. Measure the battery voltage with the engine off first. If it is good and fully-charged, it will be at 12.6 volts. If you find it is closer to 12.2 volts, it is good but fully-discharged.

Next, measure the battery voltage again with the engine running. It must be between 13.75 and 14.75 volts. If that is okay, it just means it is okay to do the rest of the tests, but that requires a professional load tester. Of particular interest is "charging voltage", full-load output current", and "ripple voltage". A few testers list an actual voltage for ripple voltage, but most just show it on a relative bar chart as "low" or "high". Post those values in your reply.
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Sunday, February 11th, 2018 AT 8:57 PM

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