1972 Ford 4000 Battery Problem?

Deb Hunter · Jun 16, 2018

We have a 1972 Ford 4000 gas engine tractor that appears to be having battery problems (battery is 3 years old). Why do two cells on the battery
boil over when the battery is disconnected from the tractor? We have just replaced, the starter, solenoid and ignition switch. When we purchased
the battery we also installed a new voltage regulator. The battery will not start the tractor, however when you jump the tractor battery with
another battery, the tractor starts. Once started, all cells on the battery begin to boil over. We have to immediately disconnect the battery
from the tractor in order to use it. But again, why does the battery boil over when the tractor is disconnected from the battery.

We hope we have not confused you too much, but any assistance would be extremely valuable to us.

Thank you.

Deb

Ultradog MN · Jun 16, 2018

Do you have a volt meter?
Tge first thing I would do is put a voltmeter between the two posts on the battery with the key off.
Then start the tractor and measure the voltage again with it running.
Post the numbers here and someone will help you.

Larry NCKS · Jun 16, 2018

Two cells out of six boiling usually means those cells have shorted out and the battery is bad.

riveroadrat · Jun 16, 2018

I replaced an alternator on a GMC 4x4 but the new one was internally regulated. It kept cooking my lifetime Sears batteries. When I took it to them to see what the problem was, they said my battery was getting about 110 volts thrown into it from the newer style alternator. Do you have an internally regulated alternator on your tractor and regulating thru the factory voltage regulator on the steering box? If your alternator is internally regulated you will see cooling fins through the holes in the back of the alternator. You may be throwing high voltage into the battery by the way its wired. It needs to be checked with a volt meter. Are you getting a very strong sulfur smell?

Sean in PA · Jun 16, 2018

Why do two cells on the battery boil over when the battery is disconnected from the tractor?

Two cells are boiling over when the battery isn't connected to anything? That's definitely a bad battery.

If it's only three years old you might get some pro-rated money for it if you take it back where you bought it and purchase a new one.

Once you have a known good battery, follow Ultradog's advice and measure the voltage with the key off and again after it's running. With the key off it should measure close to 12.5 volts. When the tractor is running, and if the charging circuit is working properly it should measure between 13.8 and 15 volts, hopefully closer to 14.5.

Deb Hunter · Jun 16, 2018

Thanks, but the tractor is a 1972 and does have an alternator. It has a generator.
Thanks again.
Deb

Deb Hunter · Jun 16, 2018

We will post our numbers soon.
Interestingly enough, the tractor started on its own today with its own battery. Ran the tractor for half an hour with the battery connected and it did not boil over in any of the cells. Not sure what will happen tomorrow, but this is driving us crazy. Perhaps we have a tractor from hell.
Really appreciate your getting back with us so quickly.
Deb

Deb Hunter · Jun 16, 2018

Thanks, Shaun. I just told Ultradog that we went out there today and the tractor started off its own battery and there was not boil over enayway in the battery
after running it for over half an hour. I think it's possessed or something. We will try to get some readings.
Thanks for all your advice.
Deb

jtwat · Jun 16, 2018

With the vibration a tractor gives a battery, its a wonder that they last as long as they do.

1972 Ford 4000 Battery Problem?

Deb Hunter

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Ultradog MN

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Larry NCKS

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riveroadrat

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Sean in PA

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Deb Hunter

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Deb Hunter

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Deb Hunter

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jtwat

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