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  1. #1
    FEP Power Member fgross2006's Avatar
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    Sep 2014
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    Default possible bad battery

    I picked up a BXT56A from local Ford dealer 2 months ago.

    I'm having issues where the battery appears dead but if I twist the cable its goes hot again.

    I had the negative cable lose when i was doing interior work on my car and had the doors open for hours so I could pull it off and place it back on when i needed to start the car. Thats when I first noticed i had to wiggle the negative cable to find the terminals sweet spot. but after I finished my interior work and out the battery in I cleaned the cable clamps and the terminals with rough sandpaper and i clamped them on snug enough that they cant be moved by hand now.

    I tried to start the car before and was completely dead. Interior light was 98% dead and barely audible door chime. I popped the hood, grabbed the negative cable and even though I couldn't physically move the cable, just by me putting hand pressure on it, the interior light came back on 100% illumination and the car started right up.

    So opinion. problem battery or negative battery cable? I feel its the battery since I didn't move the cable at all but just putting pressure on it enabled contact to start the car.

  2. #2
    FEP Power Member fgross2006's Avatar
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    Default

    Also, I searched for the correct negative battery cable for and 84 with CFI and theres repros at LMR and CJ

    The pics they post dont show if the ECM quick disconnect ground is male or female connector. Does anyone know? can someone with that quick connect check for me and post a pic?

    On my car the quick connect was corroded so bad that when i cleaned the corrosion I lost ground the the ECM so i cut it out of the ECM ground and soldered a same gauge wire to connect it. If I want to get a correct replacement negative cable I will have to locate a matching quick connect fitting and solder it back into place.

  3. #3
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    Jun 2009
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    Default

    A fresh battery tests 12.6v with a multimeter.
    Me? I'd take the car to several chain auto parts and have them run a free check.
    Taking the car for testing can help pinpoint how everything is interacting.
    Battery is under warranty, so no problem there.
    The dealer can quick check the battery and ECM wiring too.
    Diagnosing electrical oddities can easily be beyond DIY level. Especially by someone who does this every day.
    They are the sharpest at electrical, especially with the electrical tech training needed nowadays.
    Our cars should be a walk in the park to them.

  4. #4
    FEP Power Member
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    Default

    I had a battery fail at inside connection. If I pushed or twisted the terminal, it was ok but when I released it, it would not start. It would jump start ok. It would measure good if I pressed the meter lead into the terminal.

    Replaced the battery and all was good. Pretty sure it was a Motorcraft battery.
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