Dead battery after update

[A 01 Badger]

Not sure if related or coincidence but I updated sync on Friday and had a dead battery on Monday after not touching the car all weekend. So dead that after a jump Monday morning and running it for 8 hours straight it was dead today. Ran it again all day and shut it off for 30 min. Dead. Alternator shot?  Something with the update screw with the system?  I haven't tested battery or alternator yet but am late for a meeting and waiting for a jump. Anyone else experience this issue with latest update?  Probably not related but who knows

 

[SHOdded]

Could be Sync itself, or could be the battery was already on its' last legs.  Is the battery original to the car?  If so, it's probably overdue for replacement.

 

[BiGMaC]

Not sure if related or coincidence but I updated sync on Friday and had a dead battery on Monday after not touching the car all weekend. So dead that after a jump Monday morning and running it for 8 hours straight it was dead today. Ran it again all day and shut it off for 30 min. Dead. Alternator shot?  Something with the update screw with the system?  I haven't tested battery or alternator yet but am late for a meeting and waiting for a jump. Anyone else experience this issue with latest update?  Probably not related but who knows

Haven't had a problem with computer updates.... But my dealer did replace the battery on my '13 SHO about a year ago without being asked under the extended Ford maintenance when I was in for an oil change. (free at time done)... They told me the battery was week.

 

[A 01 Badger]

Had a chance to check everything. No draw anywhere in the system while car is off. Put a 30 amp quick charge in it and started to smell acid. It appears there is some type of relief valve at the top of the battery which was allowing a little vapor and liquid to escape.  Not sure why the charger would cause it to get so hot. Anyway, got it to barely turn over and start when the battery got to 10.5 volts. Once running, pushing 14.4 volts so alternator is good. Guess it could be coinincidence that the battery went dead right after sync update. Bought the car used from dealer and I can't find a date on the battery so I am going to assume it's Original to the car and would be between 3-4 years old with 52000 miles on it. Side of motor raft battery says 3 year replacement, year 4-5 prorated.  Will call dealer tomorrow to see if they will help. If not, any recommendations on an upgraded battery? 

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

When I need my fourth battery that I have to pay for I will put the biggest baddest one that will fit.

 

[A 01 Badger]

When I need my fourth battery that I have to pay for I will put the biggest baddest one that will fit.

My sediments exactly, was more looking to see if anyone had an idea of what that battery was? 

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

Motorcraft 850

It is in the Ford parts catalog for the Taurus.

I think it's actually bigger than the PI battery.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MOT2/BXT65850.oap?ck=Search_03321_1122163_-1&pt=03321&ppt=C0005

 

[SHOdded]

If you can shell out for an AGM battery (such as the Odyssey), so much the better.  But the Motorcraft Tough Max 850 is also a good place to start.

More than likely the case cracked on the battery currently in the car.

 

[A 01 Badger]

Should the 850 have been standard?

Optima doesn't have a battery that is a direct fit. Any others?

 

[SHOdded]

How did you look up Optima choices?  Their website sucks when it comes to that, you have to check battery sizes instead.  Odyssey, if you can find it, is a solid choice.  But you will find AGMs under many brands including local stores like Sears, Advance Auto, etc.  Most of the good batteries are made by Johnson Controls anyway.  So if you stick with good ole lead acid, you might want to look into an Interstate (don't know if they have AGM).

And yes, 850 should have been standard for these cars.

 

[sholxgt]

FWIW, the dealer put a 650cca Motorcraft in mine.  Not sure what the original battery was.

 

[ZSHO]

The Motorcraft BXT-65-850 is Definitely a great battery and have it almost two years now and the Ford dealer gave me the free upgrade because i'm such a nice person,lol under warranty and its the same size as the MC-650 but its roughly 10+pounds heavier and the 65 is the fitment for your vehicle.  Z 

 

[A 01 Badger]

How did you look up Optima choices?  Their website sucks when it comes to that, you have to check battery sizes instead.  Odyssey, if you can find it, is a solid choice.  But you will find AGMs under many brands including local stores like Sears, Advance Auto, etc.  Most of the good batteries are made by Johnson Controls anyway.  So if you stick with good ole lead acid, you might want to look into an Interstate (don't know if they have AGM).

And yes, 850 should have been standard for these cars.

I did use the website , tried to take the easy way out. I feel like the 850 is sufficient, I will see what he dealer says ( sitting there now using them free wifi and drinking the free soda.)

I agree JCI makes most batteries and living in Milwaukee I am prone to support them but knowing people who work their I have been told they actually started reducing capacity in their batteries because they were lasting too long, which is troublesome but I guess you gotta make money somehow.

I can get a Duracell AGM with 750 cca for $169. Seems almost too cheap. Anyone have experience with Duracell as an automotive battery ?

 

[sholxgt]

To the best of my knowledge, Duracell does not make automotive batteries.  They just license their name.

Edit: looked it up.  They are made by East Penn.  I am not familiar with their other brands.  They appear to be a private label company mostly.

 

[SHOdded]

Very few reviews on Duracell AGMs, majority on Sams Club site.  4/5

AC Delco AGM seems to be favored on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-65AGM-Professional-Automotive-Battery/dp/B00LCFHKCS

Odyssey:
http://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-65-PC1750T-Automotive-LTV-Battery/dp/B00249GW9S

Interstate Battery Options:
http://www.interstatebatteries.com/b/automotive-truck/2010/ford/taurus/N-lZzihwsuZ1z0twgeZ1z0tvn9Zzihwsq
Mega-Tron Plus 65 Automotive Battery Six-Year Performance 850 CCA might be a good choice.
20% off w free shipping right now online direct with DAD20

Motorcraft Battery Specs:

 

[A 01 Badger]

Thanks everyone for your input. I ended up with the MC ToughMax 850. Sitting at dealership and he gave it to me for 140 installed. I was already in for maintenance.

Side note, they told me my battery had a bad cell and because the dealer who I bought it from installed it before I bought it that it wasnt covered under the warranty. Only if I bought it directly. Seem strange?

 

[SHOdded]

Seems like one of the finer points of warranty coverage.  But at least with this new battery you should have 100 month coverage )and free towing) because it was installed by the dealer.
http://owner.ford.com/maintenance/service-coupons-and-offers.html?isPrint=false&couponId=BT090

 

[sholxgt]

Also on the bright side, I have owned a lot of batteries over the past 27 years of vehicle ownership and I rate MC, Interstate, and Yuasa as the best.