Battery keeps going dead
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,158
Likes: 0
From: Paramount, Ca
The diesel have two, they are linked because I just killed both wednesday. I still haven't taken them out to charge them.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
You guys tend to over think the charging system in these trucks. There are 3 components.
First is the alternator. It makes power.
Second, the battery or batteries. They store power.
Third, the cables that connect them all together. They transfer power.
If the battery is dead, it is usually one of four things.
First, the alternator (or alternators) is not producing enough power to run the truck AND put power in the battery.
Second, the battery is old and cold, so it is not storing the power the alternator makes.
Third, the cables are not moving the power from the alternator to the battery.
Fourth, something is draining the battery while the truck is off. Some current will flow when off, usually under 2 amps depending on your accessories. When phantom current is suspected, it is usually a bad battery that is the culprit.
First is the alternator. It makes power.
Second, the battery or batteries. They store power.
Third, the cables that connect them all together. They transfer power.
If the battery is dead, it is usually one of four things.
First, the alternator (or alternators) is not producing enough power to run the truck AND put power in the battery.
Second, the battery is old and cold, so it is not storing the power the alternator makes.
Third, the cables are not moving the power from the alternator to the battery.
Fourth, something is draining the battery while the truck is off. Some current will flow when off, usually under 2 amps depending on your accessories. When phantom current is suspected, it is usually a bad battery that is the culprit.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
OK. Got in my truck this am and damn, heard all that clacking under the dash again. Popped the hood, pulled the dead battery, checked it, charged it, load tested it and now the meter tells me that its bad. Kinda sucks because the battery is only 6 months old! I wonder just how good these Duralasts really are? Not too good in my opinion.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Charleston
I run optima yellow tops. They can be deep discharged multiple times, and have a very low fail rate. All three of my trucks are optima powered, pricey, but I have NEVER had a problem. One of the optimas started in my 06 explorer and has been handed down through 3 other trucks before finally resting in my Isuzu. I know they are pricey, especially for two, but peace of mind is worth it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 7
From: Burnsville, MN
Now that's interesting about subsequent load tests yielding different results. A year or two ago I had a failure of the original equipment battery in my 350, and initially it passed a load test. But when the problem recurred a couple of weeks/months later, it flunked the load test.
Sounds like maybe there's some window where marginal batteries will hold a decent CCA charge, just not overnight......
Sounds like maybe there's some window where marginal batteries will hold a decent CCA charge, just not overnight......
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
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I remember having the ol' ladys exploder on the beach and the lights would work but the starter would not crank. The sheriff came by to kick us out of the twp park and we got him to let us use the jumper cables in his trunk. No spark or drain/ pull on his system ... but still no crank. The lights would go out when trying to start and finally wouldn't come back on.
It was a crack somewhere in the conductors of the battery that would allow enouogh juice to flow to light the lights but would fry itself apart from the load of trying to crank the starter.
Hard to figure something like that out at 10pm, on the beach, empty cooler, etc - you get the pic!
It was a crack somewhere in the conductors of the battery that would allow enouogh juice to flow to light the lights but would fry itself apart from the load of trying to crank the starter.
Hard to figure something like that out at 10pm, on the beach, empty cooler, etc - you get the pic!
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Actually to clarify what I did, I charged the battery and load tested it the load test said the battery condition was good but when releasing the load test button, the meter said to re-charge the battery, sooooo, I fast charged it for about 20 min. did another load test and the meter said the battery condition is good but to re-charge again. Obviously the battery is'nt holding the charge. Thank you for all you're in put.
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