HELP!! Runs like crap cold!
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New User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3
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From: San Diego
HELP!! Runs like crap cold!
04’ F-250 6.0L Diesel, Battery Light On
Well, I need some help. I have a 04’ F-250 6.0L deisel, the battery light had been coming on and off for about 3 months and the truck runs like crap until it comes up to running temp. Finally one day everything started to flicker, lost all 12v power, well anything that used any substantial amp draw. Was able to limp it home, park it in the driveway, after shutting it down it would not start again, both batteries where dead.
This is what I did next, replaced the alternator with a new one (not a remaned one). Then I charged both batteries on a C-TEK smart charger. The passenger side battery would not come up all the way and the driver side battery came up all the way.
So I grabbed the key and proceeded to start the truck. The truck did start and the battery light was on for about 2 min then went off. At this point I thought that the passenger side battery was bad and the reason for my problem. I called the dealer where they where installed so they could warranty out the bad battery, they told me that I had to bring it in for a 4 hour long test to determine whether or not it was the battery or something else. So I took it in and left it with them. Four hours later, they called and said all is well, no other problems just a bad battery.
Well I wish that was the case. As soon as I left the dealer and got about a block down the street the light was back on, I thought to my self that it was probably the new battery and would go off in a couple of minutes. Well it did and I drove home. The next morning the light was back on and the truck would not run well at all until it came up to running temp, then the light went off and the truck seemed to run like normal. This scenario keep happening every time the truck cools well bellow operating temp, if it is at night, the lights flicker the truck surges all until it warms up, then seems to go away until the next cool down…..
I am at a loss, HELP me if you can!
Well, I need some help. I have a 04’ F-250 6.0L deisel, the battery light had been coming on and off for about 3 months and the truck runs like crap until it comes up to running temp. Finally one day everything started to flicker, lost all 12v power, well anything that used any substantial amp draw. Was able to limp it home, park it in the driveway, after shutting it down it would not start again, both batteries where dead.
This is what I did next, replaced the alternator with a new one (not a remaned one). Then I charged both batteries on a C-TEK smart charger. The passenger side battery would not come up all the way and the driver side battery came up all the way.
So I grabbed the key and proceeded to start the truck. The truck did start and the battery light was on for about 2 min then went off. At this point I thought that the passenger side battery was bad and the reason for my problem. I called the dealer where they where installed so they could warranty out the bad battery, they told me that I had to bring it in for a 4 hour long test to determine whether or not it was the battery or something else. So I took it in and left it with them. Four hours later, they called and said all is well, no other problems just a bad battery.
Well I wish that was the case. As soon as I left the dealer and got about a block down the street the light was back on, I thought to my self that it was probably the new battery and would go off in a couple of minutes. Well it did and I drove home. The next morning the light was back on and the truck would not run well at all until it came up to running temp, then the light went off and the truck seemed to run like normal. This scenario keep happening every time the truck cools well bellow operating temp, if it is at night, the lights flicker the truck surges all until it warms up, then seems to go away until the next cool down…..
I am at a loss, HELP me if you can!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 52
From: Southern Colorado
I would disconnect one battery, let them sit for a while (overnight?) and then check the voltage of both batteries. You could also turn on the headlights with each battery (one at a time) and check the voltage drop. I might also have your new alternator tested - especially if you see flickering. Finally, hook up both batteries, test the voltage, then start the truck and test the voltage again, and then turn on the fan and headlights and test it again. Your alternator should provide a substantially higher voltage at the battery in all these running conditions than with the truck shut off.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
I would disconnect one battery, let them sit for a while (overnight?) and then check the voltage of both batteries. You could also turn on the headlights with each battery (one at a time) and check the voltage drop. I might also have your new alternator tested - especially if you see flickering. Finally, hook up both batteries, test the voltage, then start the truck and test the voltage again, and then turn on the fan and headlights and test it again. Your alternator should provide a substantially higher voltage at the battery in all these running conditions than with the truck shut off.
