05 ST Dead, need suggestions/experiences

[afraziaaaa]

134k on my focus. Drove to the gym today (3 miles from my house) and died then came back to life 3 times on the way. When it died, the engine almost went out and the dash flickered like the battery had been unplugged and reconnected quickly. When I went to leave the gym I tried to start the car and there was one flicker. Now, the car will not respond at all when I turn the key. It does not crank, nor does the starter relay even click. I can not even turn any lights on interior or otherwise. It is as if there is no electrical system at all.

Some things I think might be causing the problem:

1. Ignition switch shorted/bad.
2. Alternator is dead.
3. Short somewhere else.

Any suggestions, experience or feedback is appreciated!

[Sponsor]

[jetrinka]

Check those battery connections first thing. Kinda just sounds like a bad/loose connection. Sometimes even just a little corrosion between the battery post and connector is all it takes.

Other than that, it sounds like the alternator is failing.

[old1030]

Battery connection or bad battery would be something Id check first.

[whynotthinkwhynot]

Bad battery connection.
Bad negative connection.
Bad battery -old batteries that show 12v can be bad, will have voltage, but no current.
Bad alternator not charging battery or overcharging the battery by sending high voltage to it.

[mainest]

I had a similar experience with my '05 ST. Battery voltage was 12.5 v at both battery terminal, and at the battery cable ends. However, I discovered that the positive cable end was not tight enough on the battery terminal. I removed both cables, tightened each fitting with a wrench on each end of the screw clamp, then reattached them to the battery terminals. No issues since. Good luck.

[05focusST91]

Check the alternator too, make sure its charging over 14volts, your battery could have proper voltage with a low cold cranking amps so if u can get a battery tester it could help to check

[afraziaaaa]

Originally Posted by 05focusST91

Check the alternator too, make sure its charging over 14volts, your battery could have proper voltage with a low cold cranking amps so if u can get a battery tester it could help to check

Thanks to all for the responses. I will check the battery connections.

I do have a voltmeter hooked up that shows the battery voltage while the car is running. Lately it has been dipping below the normal 14.5V to about 13 or even 12V while the car is running. That is why I suspect the alternator.

[focusonthefocus19]

Same exact thing happened to be a while back. No lights came on, the car didn't even want to make a sound when I tried to start it. I jumped my car off, and it worked just perfect. Try jump starting your car, and let it run for a minute or to, and then try to start it again. When I jump started my car it ran just fine, but as soon as I turned it off, same thing happened.

The problem was loose battery connections. Even when it's just a little loose it will cause problems.

[jetrinka]

12-13 is too low while the car is running. Should be high 13's or 14.