Truck not starting too well

[FTSK95]

This morning I went to go to work and my truck wouldn't start. It sounded like the battery was dead, (my lights were dim) so i rolled it down the driveway and popped the clutch and it started right up. On my lunch break today i went out to check on it, and the same thing happened, didn't start. My lights work, auxillary power works but it didn't start. So i tried one last time and it reluctantly turned over. Shut it off and started again, and it turned over but didn't sound like there was enough juice. Do you think my battery is on it's last legs? The reason i ask this question is because it's only 3 years old. It's a higher end battery im just not sure a battery's lifespan.:dntknw Any input would be appreciated, thank you.

 

[Earl43P]

Could be many things.
Clean/inspect battery terminals.
Cables could be bad.
Grounds could be corroded.

Easy enough to go to an AP store and have them test battery and alternator.
Most will do that for free, still installed.
They test starters removed.


Battery life varies on conditions.
If you offroad in the Nevada desert, I'd expect a short life.
If you DD in FL, I'd expect 3-4 years.

I bought a new battery for my 2000 last Spring (was the original Motorcraft).
I put it in the purple 93 that I sold. It's still working (I know the guy).

If your 95 has the original alternator and over 150k miles, I'd expect it to need a set of brushes soon. Or a new alternator.

 

[FTSK95]

thank you very much for the response, i'll give those things a try and see what I come up with.

 

[reimic39]

If you are still having trouble check the resistance of your Power cable going down to the starter High resistance there can cause a slow crank and also if your alternator is putting out AC voltage it could be cooking your battery and that will cause a lot of problems that is also an easy test I worked at a ford dealer for 3 years as a tech and the average life on a battery Is 3 to 5 years if you cant get that out of one then you have some other electrical concern wearing your battery out prematurely.