won't start

Ok so it's not the boat this time but same concepts apply:

2005 Ford Ranger V6 180K miles. Daughter left pizza delivery roof light plugged in for a bit with engine off yesterday, got successful jump start. Ran ok. Multitested battery 12V off, 13.9V running; presume this means alternator charging properly. Started slow first time today, ran fine, shut off & restarted fine, presumably because it got a bit of a charge while it was running(?). 2nd time started slow. Just now an hour later just rapid "machine-gun" clicking, no start. Too dark to monkey with it now and really pressed for time in a.m. Safe to assume new battery is the correct (and quickest) fix?

Checking the voltage really only gives you an indication that the alternator is charging and not the condition of the battery. If the battery volts were pulled down past about 9, the battery most likely is trashed. Get it load tested at your auto supply (not Autozone! )

8122pbrainard wrote: Checking the voltage really only gives you an indication that the alternator is charging and not the condition of the battery. If the battery volts were pulled down past about 9, the battery most likely is trashed. Get it load tested at your auto supply (not Autozone! )

Pete: tested a tad below 9V and showed bad cell replaced, starts fine. Thanks. First issue in a long time, 180,000 miles and going strong. Go Ford.