Battery/gauge question

[SBR]

Well I am going to inspect the car that I have a deal on. It is stock with 1k miles on it. After reading some posts about batteries and gauge failures, I have a couple of questions. If the car still has the OEM battery which I believe it does, should I replace it with the Sears platinum battery that was discussed in another thread just to be safe? If so should I still use the OEM charger or use a battery tender with the green and red light? I will definetly check the gauges among other things before I hand over the check.
Thanks in advance,
Steve

 

[ViperJoe]

Presently, there is no evidence to suggest the root cause of the gauge failures. So at this point it really doesn't matter.

 

[Kayvan]

Keep the OEM battery; some here are in 6th yr on their Optima

Use OEM charger; google has 15+ pages on Battery Tender failing (esp if left alone; not plug/unplug); IMHO not good.

DBK posted a poll on battery/gauges; last check <25 fail votes.

I posted a poll 2 yrs ago; 60 votes; 75% were non-OEM issues (eg, user let battery die, no charger used)

 

[MNJason]

Steve, are you going to get a full PPI done on this car? STRONGLY suggested.

 

[jaxgt]

Get a PPI from an expert - most important thing. I wasn't aware of the Battery Tender issues mentioned above. FWIW, I have 4 or 5 that I use without problem. Probably fine either way.

 

[GT35065]

I've got five Battery Tenders for various vehicles/motorcycles and have been using them for ten years and never had any significant problem. I did have one fail on a BMW one time, but it was on a monster size battery that was going bad anyway, and I think it overtaxed the Tender. I sent it back and they promptly replaced it with a new one. No other issues. When a couple of my guages went bad on the GT, I happened to be using the OEM charger, but doubt that it caused the problem.

 

[dbackg]

1000 miles? Look for the white smoke "contrails" out of the exhaust.

Hopefully that engine was started and run regularly.

RE: Battery Tender
The Ford OEM does not have a microprocessor, so it will "always" be charging.

RE: Failing

Well, electronics, computers, don't last forever.

However, I have had my Deltran Battery Tenders, i have multiple, for 5+ years. = NO problems.

I like the idea that the charger goes in to "float" mode once the battery is fully charged.

Either way, good luck.

 

[SBR]

Steve, are you going to get a full PPI done on this car? STRONGLY suggested.

I am going tomorrow with a friend who has some knowledge with these cars. It looks absolutely brand new and if all checks out, I will be an owner tomorrow.

 

[Sinovac]

I've got five Battery Tenders for various vehicles/motorcycles and have been using them for ten years and never had any significant problem.

What he said. However, I did have one go bad when I mistakenly ran it over with my F250. Cheap crap.

 

[jaxgt]

Unless your friend is VERY knowledgeable I would pay the money and get a proper PPI. Mistakes can be very expensive. I've learned this too many times.

 

[dbackg]

Unless your friend is VERY knowledgeable I would pay the money and get a proper PPI. Mistakes can be very expensive. I've learned this too many times.

Great advice. Nobody likes to learn this lesson.

 

[Colton74]

Recently purchased a vehicle from a forum member, I would certainly recommend a PPI. Not sure your knowledge of the GT (mine is quite low,however improving!!) but I had a chance to quiz the inspector to no end. More than likely drove him crazy, but I got a lot of knowledge in a short time. Well worth the money.

 

[RALPHIE]

Watch out -

A few of the GT's were totaled on the way home from the dealerships and others early in their milages, and may not have received a salvage title (if not reported to the insurance companies).

Get a PPI from one of our experts: Rich (GT Tech), Biill (Shadowman), Rich & Denis (GTGuy), Shelby (Shelbyelite), Kendall (nota4re) & others

 

[Empty Pockets]

Unless your friend is VERY knowledgeable I would pay the money and get a proper PPI. Mistakes can be very expensive. I've learned this too many times.

:agree::agree::agree:

You really need to have an EXPERT check the car out...someone who knows exactly what to look for and how to find it. :cheers

 

[SBR]

Thanks for the advice to all. I spoke with Rich (GT guy) and gave me some great tips on what to look for. I have a signed letter from the seller stating that the car has never been hit/painted/abused and has been properly serviced, he's owned the car since new. I am hoping that all goes well tomorrow.

 

[nota4re]

SBR - Good luck tomorrow. Car inspections are important but the demeanor and integrity of the owner are other ways to get warm fuzzies. Be careful, as the GTs, like a beautiful woman, can tempt you to think with the little head! We're in Southern California. If we can ever help you, just give us a shout. We've done quite a few PPI's and one or two different GT mods....

 

[Joehand1]

I had something strange happen to me.
The other day I started the car and all the gauges were dead.
I took the key out and reinserted it and again, started the car and they all worked.
Still working fine.....
??? What gives???

 

[dbackg]

I had something strange happen to me.
The other day I started the car and all the gauges were dead.
I took the key out and reinserted it and again, started the car and they all worked.
Still working fine.....
??? What gives???

Gremlins

 

[viva gt]

i had the same thing happen last winter. i talked to a ford tech, who is a friend of mine, he said that it might be a low battery. since then i have used the ford supplied charger and it has not happened since.

I had something strange happen to me.
The other day I started the car and all the gauges were dead.
I took the key out and reinserted it and again, started the car and they all worked.
Still working fine.....
??? What gives???

 

[dbackg]

i had the same thing happen last winter. i talked to a ford tech, who is a friend of mine, he said that it might be a low battery. since then i have used the ford supplied charger and it has not happened since.

Yes, great point, I recall this happened to my GT right before I had the dealer replace the factory original battery the last day before my warranty expired.