The g/f was in the city last night and was starting to drive home and called me and told me that the battery light came on, and in the tachometer display, it said "check charging system." The car did not die, but as she started driving, the Battery Meter started dropping and moving between normal and less than half and eventually dropping all the way almost to empty by the time she made it home about 40 mins later. When she turned the car off after parking, it made some kind of weird noise, like a clunk.

I started the car this morning and could smell something that smelled like it was burning. I popped the hood, and everything seemed ok. Nothing was on fire, lol. The battery meter did not drop one bit after letting it run for a few minutes with all of the lights on and what not. After I turned the car off, I also heard a slight clunking like noise from what sounded like the driver's side of the car.

Any ideas on what this could be? We were thinking the battery needs to be replaced, but now we are thinking it is something else. Not 100% sure what.

PS- This is on my 07 GT

 

get a voltmeter and measure the voltage accross the battery terminals. if its between 12.8 and 14.7 its either a bad battery or your terminals need to be cleaned.

also check the voltage on the alternator; if is below 12.8 youre underchanging; above 14.7 youre overcharaging. if youre undercharging the alternators probably be bad.

 

I don't think so because we just had the alternator replaced a few months ago through Ford. The car died one day while driving because the alternator took a **** and we had it towed to Ford and replaced under warranty. At that time, though, the car did not indicate anything was wrong while driving until it just died basically. Now the battery light came on and all the electrical parts are working (unlike last time) and it's indicating "check charging system."

 

if the alternators just been replaced because its gone out before its probably an even BETTER reason to check it.

alternators part of your charging system along with your battery; if the charging system is bad but the lights and heat work, my money is on alternator. if the cars dead and the lights wont go on batterys dead. sounds to me like your battery died last time.

takes 2 seconds to figure out with a voltmeter.

 

I'll let ya know Mike.

 

i agree with devil wolf, his
suggestions are sound

 

again agree voltameter is your best bet.
either way from what your saying im thinking alternator again due to it burning up..
just a thought no real proof. get a voltometer and prove it your self