Dead Battery and more

[MissyS]

Some background. I bought a 2005 Anniversary Edition Tbird last fall. I didn't have a lot of time to drive it, and then our brutal winter hit -- below zero, snow on the ground most of the time.

I kept Birdy in the garage, but noticed the battery died.

Today is the first day we've had nice enough weather to deal with it.

I got it jump started and drove it a few miles. Now it won't start again.
There's a small cylindrical flashing red light to the left of the steering wheel that won't go off.

Is that the security system?

So my main questions:

Should I try jump starting it again and drive it more?

What's the best protocol for bringing a 2005 -Tbird back to life after it's been sitting in the garage for 4 months with a dead battery and a full tank of gas?

Will the gas be old and bad for it?

I would have it towed to a mechanic but I just lost my job and don't want to spend lots of money on it if I can handle it myself.

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 

[tony millholen]

Hi Missy

I have had the same problem several years ago untill I installed a electric battery charger plug in. When not in use you just blug this in and it will keep your battery from running down and it will always keep it charged up it will also jump start your car if you forget to plug it in. Alot of people don't know that the on line computer drains your battery if your using it or not. This item cost about $40.00 or $50.00 and very easy to install. You will love it. I hope this will help you.....tony

 

[George]

Missy:
I believe what Tony speaks of is a Battery Tender, some manufacturers call it Battery Minders.. Search the web and you'll find all kinds. I've used them for over 30 years.
In fact my 2002 was 12 years old and still going strong but I replaced it as a comfort feeling. The old one was always plugged in, therefore 12+ years service. I also have left the new one plugged in 24/7 since new....Started right up this Spring.
As for the gas, drive it and get that tank down to half or lower. Then fill it up.
In the future use an additive like Stabil, at the end of the season. Prior to storing it, go to fill it up and take along the Stabil so it mixes well. Then store it, plug it in and forget it until Spring.😎

Some background. I bought a 2005 Anniversary Edition Tbird last fall. I didn't have a lot of time to drive it, and then our brutal winter hit -- below zero, snow on the ground most of the time.

I kept Birdy in the garage, but noticed the battery died.

Today is the first day we've had nice enough weather to deal with it.

I got it jump started and drove it a few miles. Now it won't start again.
There's a small cylindrical flashing red light to the left of the steering wheel that won't go off.

Is that the security system?

So my main questions:

Should I try jump starting it again and drive it more?

What's the best protocol for bringing a 2005 -Tbird back to life after it's been sitting in the garage for 4 months with a dead battery and a full tank of gas?

Will the gas be old and bad for it?

I would have it towed to a mechanic but I just lost my job and don't want to spend lots of money on it if I can handle it myself.

 

[Jondalar]

The Battery Tender brand is about $60 and comes with the quick disconnect. With my 3 vehicles, including a '14 Stingray, one is usually being maintained if it is not being used for a week.

 

[George]

JON;
I have a 6v-12v from Griots garage for the TBird. Then I have two smaller ones for the lawn tractor and golf cart. Wouldn't do without these. I leave them on and never over charge. They just maintain

 

[MissyS]

Should I buy a jump starter, tender, trickle, maintainer ....

I've had to jump start my T Bird three times so far. I know it's not good for the battery to keep getting drained down.

So I'm ready to buy something to keep the charge up.

But I'm confused by which is best -- a battery charger? trickle charger, tender, maintainer, floater, etc.

I saw reference to trickle chargers being damaging.

Also, what brands are reliable? I don't mind spending a little more to get the right thing.

One more question -- do you have to keep your trunk open while this is connected?

Missy😕

 

[Jondalar]

I replaced my '04 T-Bird's battery last Spring when I tried to go to work and it failed to start. I should have paid attention to the slightly slower cranking of the engine on the previous couple of days prior. And sure, I noticed that the original battery had a vent hose attached to it, but I had that battery on the work bench left over from my former Wrangler, so that battery went in temporarily, but has remained to this very day as a challenge to acid fumes everywhere.

 

[lipster]

Unless your alternator is toast, you need a new battery.
Then you need a trickle charger, or maintainer.
If you keep the cord away from the latch mechanism, you can leave it charging with the trunk closed, there is enough space to have a small cord run over the rubber lip/seal.

 

[MissyS]

I'm not sure I need a new battery. I've jumpstarted it and driven it, but haven't really fully charged it.

I agree I need a maintainer. I did some research on the web and learned that both BatteryTender and BatteryMinder are good. I just ordered a BatteryMinder from Amazon because it desulfates and helps the battery last longer.

We have three cars altogether, so having a charger/maintainer of our own is a good idea.

 

[George]

Missy; good choice. And it's probably made by Deltron. They make a lot of these and sell direct or through private labeling.
You'll probably get a few different cables with the maintainer too.
With three cars you could put one on at least two cars and swap out which one gets hooked up.
To answer your question, I believe you do not need to leave the trunk open. However, I do. I always have plugged it in, closed the trunk lid onto my California duster or a rolled up towel. Then Put the cover over the car.

Your jump starting days are over😎

 

[Flyingscot]

Dead battery

Mine goes dead too - it probably takes about 2 weeks.
I first tried one of the small, cheap, maintainers and it still went dead.
Read the instructions: it won't charge - battery must be over 12v for it to work. Could not overcome drain. Got a good one and disconnect the POS terminal - works great. Since the battery is not connected, the trunk lite can't come on. In the spring you will have to retrain the fancy window drop, but that's in the owners manual.
Good luck:
Doug

 

[Jondalar]

Just lower the window and once it reaches bottom HOLD the switch down for 3 to 4 seconds, then raise the window and once it reaches the top HOLD the switch for 3 to 4 seconds. Do the same for the passenger side.

 

[MissyS]

Dead battery - three months later

I had planned to hook up the battery minder, but I read somewhere you shouldn't charge a frozen battery. Temps were well below freezing in the garage. I held off until warmer weather -- that took a while!

Anyway, here I am again and want to try it this weekend. So my car has been sitting with a dead battery for the past three months.

Should I jump start it, then drive it around for a bit, then hook up the battery minder?

Do I connect both of the battery minder cables to the battery, or connect one to the post on the spare tire, like when jump starting?

Does anything get damaged when the car sits a while with a dead battery?

 

[George]

No, just hook up the tender and leave it alone for 2-3 days. It should be just fine.

 

[MissyS]

I got the T-Bird started last week. The battery was dead. Dead. Dead. The BatteryMinder instructions indicated it was best if the voltage wasn't too low before starting to charge. So I tried to jump start the T-Bird. Even hooked up to my other car, the T-Bird wouldn't start - whirrr, whirrr, whirrr, went the starter. So I just left my other car running, with the two car batteries connected, for about 5 minutes. Finally, T-Bird started up. Left it running, still hooked up to other running car, for another 5 minutes. Then I attached the BatteryMinder and left it for about a day and a half, until the Charge light quit blinking. Went out for a spin in the country -- wonderful!

Thanks for everyone's help.