2005 Mustang V6 simple battery change not so simple

Markovich · 11-03-2008

My OEM battery croaked yesterday so I went down to Sears and got me a new Die-Hard. I swapped it out no problem and the car was running fine yesterday (Sunday).

So now this morning shortly after leaving for work, my fuel gauge craps out on me. It went down to empty and the low fuel light came on (I just topped off the tank yesterday). I turned the car off for a few seconds and restarted it to see if that would help, not only did that not help, but now the check engine light is on.

By the time I got to work, the fuel gauge seemed to be coming back to life, but the check engine light is still on.

WTF, I had a feeling something like this was going to happen after I changed the battery. Is a simple battery change going to turn into a nightmare? Please don't do this to me Ford!

**pcfrisch** · 11-03-2008

It has nothing to do with your battery, it has been reported here plenty of times and I also experienced it.
The problem is sulphur in the gas. Some stations have more of it than others. You can try a can of seafoam to clean up the tank sensor. It may also go away on it's own.

Markovich · 11-03-2008

So it's just a big coincidence that this happens for the first time right after I change the battery when it's never happened before? I went to the same gas station I always go to. And I could have sworn I read others here having problems with the dash after changing the battery.

**pcfrisch** · 11-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markovich

So it's just a big coincidence that this happens for the first time right after I change the battery when it's never happened before? I went to the same gas station I always go to. And I could have sworn I read others here having problems with the dash after changing the battery.

I still think it's the gas, it's how it is formulated. This has happend many times to other people on this forum, I even took it to the dealer who said the same thing. I have had the battery disconnected and reconnected plenty of times and have not had a problem. I have been wrong before,

however I can see it happening via a voltage spike though.

Markovich · 11-03-2008

If it is what you say it is, then what should I do? Is it serious or just a nuisance? The car's not under warranty, how much would it cost to get it fixed?

05horse · 11-03-2008

my gas gauge read empty when i filled up, as i got down the highway i got up to a quarter. but then it fell down... i figured id take it to auto zone to have it looked at, but by the time i got to it, it straightened out
(4 days)

Black05Pony · 11-04-2008

My fuel gauge acted similarly a few weeks ago although mine shot up to nearly 4 o'clock (WAY past full) and wouldn't go back to where it should be (which was at full).

A few days later my car wouldn't start as a result of the battery cables having too much corrosion on them where they connect to the battery posts. A loose connection or any other kind of resistance between the battery cables and the battery itself could cause a similar reaction.

Even if you snugged those cables up to the posts, get in there with a wrench and tighten the crap out of them. It takes a good solid connection for them to work properly.

Markovich · 11-06-2008

I think it was the battery connection. When you change your battery, make sure those cables are tighter than a pair of 70s gym shorts.

On a side note, is it just me, or is this website slow as f***?