Battery problem at Ford

[asterus]

The other day I was at Ford for an oil change. They checked the battery and fluids and everything. On the report it said "Battery tests OK at this time". In the parking lot my car started fine, then I drove to the cell phone store and then to the post office. Then my car didn't start<three miles after leaving Ford>. I would turn the key and it would take some time for the electricity to kick in, I would try to start it and I could hear a relay click, but nothing else. When I had the key in the run position without the car starting it would say that I had plenty of volts. I called AAA and had it towed. They asked if I just needed a jump and I said no, because I didn't expect the battery to be a problem since I just came from Ford and it was checked and that I was only in the post office for about 5 minuts. It was towed and a local garage checked it out and said that it was the battery was bad. I drove out there and got my truck, jumped it, and bought a new battery at Auto Zone. I have a 1996 4door XLT. If it matters the battery is Exide and manufactured in Feb 2003.

What I would like to know is if Ford could have done anything to damage the battery while it was getting tested or anything like that. Also the gentleman behind the counter at Ford said that somtimes batteries can fail that fast<3 miles and about 15 min after testing as good> when I went and talked to him about it. I would like your advice on this. I don't mind buying a battery if I had a problem, but there was a $31 diagnostic fee from the garage that I would like to try to recoup if possible.

Edit: I need help as soon as possible because I am moving back to Connecticut from Ohio where I am November 1st and I won't be in the area.

David Larson

 

[Blee1099]

They probably did a observation check on it instead of popping the caps to check the levels of fluid and placing a multimeter on it to test the voltage.

 

[jimbo74]

if they load tested a battery that was already pretty screwed it could have killed it over the edge so to speak... edge of battery death

 

[Papa]

My take on it that batteries fail all the time I think it is a Murphy’s Law thing. I have put two in my X that died without warning and while under warrantee. I can go back four other vehicles and say the same thing. That is why I like the Champion batteries, great warrantee and great cold cranking amperage. I also have a portable jump battery they are a godsend when you have a teen driver.