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As our 2004 Mach 1's age I thought I would post pictures of the original 2004 Mach 1 Motorcraft battery as documentation for future concurs shows and restorations. In browsing other Mustang websites I've noticed a lot of emphasis is placed on having an original style Mustang battery for shows and restorations.

The original battery in the 2004 Mach 1 is Motorcraft BXT-59-540 and has a "state of charge" indicator, also known as a "battery eye" or just "indicator".

The replacement Motorcraft Battery, as of 2009, no longer has the indicator. A Ford Dealership parts manager told me that the indicator was removed from the design because of leakage problems. The Motorcraft Part number for the battery still remains the same, BXT-59-560.

The battery for the 2003 Mach 1 is listed as the same part number, but I'm only documenting the 2004 Mach 1 battery.

The date code on the battery in the following pictures is "4C". The four equals the year, 2004, and the C equals the month, March. This date is consistent with the build date of my Mach 1, which was March 2004.

Here are some pictures for future reference:

Note: The carrying handle and negative post protector are off of the new battery and were placed on the old battery for convenience.



[Image: DSCF7399.jpg]

[Image: DSCF7394.jpg]


[Image: DSCF4248.jpg]
Goodpost
Have to go check the code on mine, its probably a 03 Battery :)
Wonder how much longer my original one is going to last, its probably frozen now LOL.......
(02-01-2010, 02:09 AM)70Mach03 Wrote: [ -> ]Mine died yesterday. It was the original with an April 03 battery built date. So six years and eight and half months for me. Blush


U did pretty good, generally batteries seem to last 5-6 years anymore. The battery in my 70 is going on 12 LOL Sure if I leave the lights on for a couple minutes it won't start but thats besides the point hahaha. Hopefully the one in my 04 lasts FOREVER :)
(02-01-2010, 06:04 AM)70Mach03 Wrote: [ -> ]WOW!!! That's got to be a record. You use a battery tender with it?

Actually....I have thought sooooooooo many times that I should get a Battery Tender, they look like something that would be good to have. Generally in the spring I have to throw a charger on it cause it just doesn't have enough to start from sitting over the winter, after that its pretty good for the summer unless I think its kewl to park with my parking lights on LOL. So my question is would I have gained anything by using a battery tender. I have no idea how it still starts the car. Thank-god its a standard so when it does leave me stranded I can ask for a push hahaha

Oh ya....its a MotorCraft Big Grin

(02-01-2010, 06:04 AM)70Mach03 Wrote: [ -> ]I replaced the original battery with a Diehard.


WHAT!!!! LOL......how dare you :)
(02-01-2010, 06:04 AM)70Mach03 Wrote: [ -> ]
(02-01-2010, 05:23 AM)Mach1Guy Wrote: [ -> ]
(02-01-2010, 02:09 AM)70Mach03 Wrote: [ -> ]Mine died yesterday. It was the original with an April 03 battery built date. So six years and eight and half months for me. Blush

................... The battery in my 70 is going on 12 LOL Sure if I leave the lights on for a couple minutes it won't start but thats besides the point hahaha. Hopefully the one in my 04 lasts FOREVER :)

WOW!!! That's got to be a record. You use a battery tender with it?

Sidenote: My 2003 Mach is no longer concourse (lol). I replaced the original battery with a Diehard. Same size and looks nearly idenical but with 590 vs 540 amps. I went to K-Mart since they now sell Sears products and since it was Sunday, my options were somewhat limited. I took the old original battery with me but left it in the car. When I checked out I asked about the swapout with the old battery. They were willing to give me a $2.00 credit to go back to the car and get the old one. For two bucks it wasn't worth the walk so now one day I can sell it on e-Bay and make thousands of dollars. Rofl2

I kept my old battery too. Actually it was still holdng a charge and would crank the engine, but I was worried about the inidator still showing yellow after a 24 hour re-charge. After I bought the new battery I read up on the indicator and learned that it it probably would have lasted longer based on the Ford TSB below. Live and Learn! Now I have a spare battery anyway.


TSB 06-4-2

ISSUE:
This TSB describes the operation and function of the Battery Eye and correct Battery Recharging procedures.

ACTION:
Refer to the following Service Tips to avoid misdiagnosis of a battery using the Battery Eye, and to determine the best way to charge a battery that may be discharged.

SERVICE TIPS

Battery Eye Operation / Function

The purpose of the battery eye is to indicate the state of charge of the battery in the assembly plant and while on the dealership lot. The battery eye can also indicate the state-of-charge when the vehicle is delivered to the dealership and during the pre-delivery inspection process. The battery eye is made up of a viewing plate, two balls and a small passage. The balls indicate the specific gravity of the electrolyte by floating higher or lower in the passageway. It is important to note that the battery eye checks the specific gravity on only one battery cell.

RED usually indicates that the battery state-of-charge is at 40 percent or less
YELLOW indicates that the battery state-of-charge is between 40 and 57 percent
GREEN indicates that the battery state-of-charge is above 57 percent
NO COLOR/BLACK sometimes no color can be seen at all and the eye appears black. This could happen after the battery has been in service for several years and some of the plate material has coated the balls
CLEAR could happen if the battery case becomes damaged and the electrolyte has fallen below the plates
The battery eye is a state-of-charge indicator, but should not be used to condemn a battery after the vehicle has been placed in service. After delivery, many things could happen to cause the battery eye to lead to misdiagnosis of the battery's actual state-of-charge. After the vehicle has been in service, the battery eye does not always accurately reflect the battery state-of-charge. The GR-1 190 Battery Tester/Charge or Micro 490 Digital Battery Analyzer should be used to determine battery condition.

Do not replace a battery based solely on the indication given by the battery eye. The battery eye color simply indicates the battery state-of-charge, not its condition. If the eye indicates the battery may be discharged, Use GR-1 190 Battery Tester/Charger to determine the battery condition or recharge the battery before testing using the Micro 490.

A red or yellow indicator usually means that the battery is discharged, not defective. Therefore, a battery with a red or yellow eye should not automatically be replaced. The indicator could remain red after recharge because the balls are stuck in the passageway.

When new vehicles are delivered to the dealership, be sure to check the state-of-charge indicator within 72 hours. If the battery eye is red, charge the battery until it is fully charged. Refer to the following Battery Charging Procedure.

Batteries discharge while the vehicle is on the lot due to normal parasitic key-off loads. Also, vehicles in inventory are generally driven short distances with heavy electrical loads. Over a period of time (30 days or more), vehicles still in inventory will have shallow to deeply discharged batteries. The vehicle's charging system is designed to supply the vehicle's electrical power needs and maintain the battery near full charge during normal vehicle use. The charging system is not capable of bringing a deeply discharged battery back near full charge in a short amount of time such as allowing the vehicle to idle for 15 minutes to "recharge the battery". Discharged batteries should be charged using an external charger. Refer to the following Battery Charging Procedure.
Where abouts did you find the Battery Date Code? Took a quick look at mine today but it was cold and not very good lighting so I gave up :) Guessing the battery would have to come out to find it.
(02-01-2010, 12:48 PM)Mach1Guy Wrote: [ -> ]Where abouts did you find the Battery Date Code? Took a quick look at mine today but it was cold and not very good lighting so I gave up :) Guessing the battery would have to come out to find it.

The date code is on the long side of the battery in the center of the topside edge. It's on the side closest to the fender. You should be able to see it without removing the insulation cover that is around the battery, but the space between the battery and fender is tight. The code is engraved into the plastic (?) casing and is the same color as the casing. The first two characters are the date code; there are several more characters after the code. I'll try and get a picture of it and post it up later this week.

It would be on the opposite side as shown in this picture centered above the "or" in Motorcraft, but on the top side edge:

[Image: DSCF7399.jpg]
Got some pictures of the date code. Actually I found a code on top of the battery too. It's hard to see but starts off with the date code too. The rest of the numbers after the date code are different than on the side of the battery.

Here are the pictures:

[Image: DSCF7415.jpg]
[Image: DSCF7419.jpg]
[Image: DSCF7418.jpg]
Thats pretty kewl.
Thanks.
I will have to take a peek again this weekend.
Odd that it has 2 different stamped codes in it.