The battery light has come on in your Ford F150, so what now? We will take you through the steps of how to reset the battery light on the Ford F150. Firstly, you must understand the reasons behind why this light might be illuminated and follow these simple checks to make sure your car is running smoothly with no faults.
The F-Series Ford trucks are currently in their 14th generation, proving they are a reliable option when it comes to full-size pickup trucks. The F-150 that we are looking at today is their most popular model from the wide range of designs and configurations Ford has created.
The F150 trucks were introduced in 1948 and 1952 and then got a complete redesign in 1953. Fast forward a few decades to the newer models from 2009 onwards and you will see a range of fantastic upgrades to the interior and exterior including the widely recognized three-bar grille and even the very first pickup to have adaptive cruise control. They dropped the weight by 750lbs by switching to aluminum without changing any of the appearance making this truck faster, lighter and sending it on to win the 2018 Motor Trend Truck of The Year.
However, several owners report issues regarding the battery light on their F150, especially if it’s flashing on and off which may leave you confused and wondering what the issue may be. Let us take a closer look at the issues that may be behind your Ford F150’s battery light problem.
Most commonly you may find your battery needs replacing. The battery is the prime component to start any vehicle and relies on the alternator to charge it. If your battery is to blame then your F-150 will struggle to start and it is a strong indication that you need a replacement.
You can quickly assess if the alternator is to blame if your engine is running and the battery light is still illuminated on your dash. This is an obvious indicator that your alternator is not providing the wattage your battery needs to power your F-150 and maintain a proper functioning level throughout. In this scenario, you will need a new alternator to fix the issue.
It could also show an issue with the belt of your alternator. If your belt is damaged in any way, it will not be able to generate enough charge and could be another reason behind your Ford F150 battery light being illuminated.
There are a few ways you can figure out the cause of your battery light issue on your F150 to pinpoint exactly which part under the hood is at fault. Here are some tips and tricks to help you.
Both of these options are simple and easy to perform yourself, or you can ask a local garage and they usually do this at no charge to you. The voltage test will show if your alternator is creating enough power for your engine and whether you need a replacement.
If the test shows your alternator is providing correct readings then you may want to get your battery tested by a mechanic and if needed get an easy replacement sorted in no time.
Before resetting the battery light on your Ford F150 there are particular steps you should follow to help pinpoint the exact issues.
Start by turning off all the power to your vehicle. Regardless of the fault, you need to turn off all power to the battery so make sure everything down to lights, AC, and other accessories are all disabled.
Take this chance to check the condition of your battery and perform some basic maintenance tasks. Remove the cover safely and look at the terminals, if there is corrosion you can start by cleaning them with any household cleaner focusing on just the corroded parts.
After cleaning you can check the terminal clamps and ensure that they are secure using a wrench, pliers, and screws.
Check the cables leading from the alternator to the relays fusible connection, look for any damage or signs of wear and tear. You should always seek help from a professional to fix this issue as it can be dangerous if not performed correctly.
Next, recharge your Ford’s battery and make sure the alternator and voltage regulator are in the scheduled category.
To perform a battery relearn on your Ford, follow these simple steps:
If you have done this correctly the battery light will flash three times within 15 seconds of completing the above steps.
Alternatively to put the ECM back to factory default settings:
If you find the battery light stays on, this can be a sign of a weak connection between the battery and cables connecting to the alternator. This may also cause other issues such as your car being slow to start.
If your F150 engine won’t turn over then perform a jump start. If this starts the car but doesn’t stay running then this is a sign of your battery being to blame. If your vehicle stalls almost instantly then your alternator is more likely the fault.
If your battery light is flashing then this means the fault is with your alternator and you should check the terminals are tightened and use a multimeter to check the battery voltage.
The annual average maintenance and running costs for a full-sized pickup is $936 so the Ford F-150 is considered affordable with a lower than average yearly running cost of $800
If your vehicle is used for daily work purposes and averages around 15K miles per year then you can expect around 20 years of service with regular care and maintenance.
Although reliable, some of the most commonly reported faults and issues with F-150’s include bad fuel economy, spark plug issues, and engine noise and stalls.
There are several reasons why the battery light may be on your Ford F150 so you must diagnose the issue before resetting as it could be a sign of a serious fault. If there is a fault it will need to be repaired in order that no further damage is caused to your engine. Hopefully, this article has helped you to diagnose and reset your problem with resetting the battery light only out Ford F150.
Here are some other Ford f-150 topics you may read:
Ford F-150 Model Years To Avoid – Best And Worst Years
Ford F150 Life Expectancy Miles – How Long Do They Last?
F150 XL vs XLT: What’s The Difference?
