Battery Dead Symptoms

[MattG43]

Yes I know this sounds like a stupid question, but hear me out.

This morning, my wife wakes me up and tells me her car won't start. It is a 2014 Explorer Limited. The car is almost 3 years old with 60k+ miles - yes a lot.

The first thing I noticed is that all the lights, etc appear to be full on bright, ambient lighting is on and bright, the screens are on and bright, etc. The headlights, set to auto, are on and bright.

Push the start button and I hear the engine turn for maybe a half second to a second then nothing. At this point, I've pretty much ruled out out the battery, but it's early, she has to get to work, and I'm no mechanic so I decided to at least try to jump it.

I pull up the trusty ford ranger, and with the cables attached it fires up immediately like nothing happened. This was less than a minute after hooking up the cables. I'm used to that taking a few minutes to get at least some charge in the jumped car.

I unhook the cables and shut off the Explorer after less than a minute on. It then fires up no problem 2 or 3 times in a row.

I started wondering if perhaps it was the battery and the latest explorers or cars like it with all the bells and whistles, have some kind of reserved system to run the electronics etc while it senses not enough juice for the start. However, then why wouldn't the main screen (left) that warns you about car issues say that.

What do you think, dead battery without 90% of normal dead battery symptoms?

Thanks for any ideas...

 

[Mr. Alligator]

You need a new battery. Your old battery is sufficient for low power items like lights,but not adequate for cold start. Your old battery is adequate for starting after jump charge, and after the alternator on your truck charges it, and if your engine is warmed up. But.... You need a new battery.

Any auto parts store could run a simple, free test to confirm this. Good luck with new battery.