October 28, 2011 4:56 PM - YouTube


I have never seen the dash freak out like this so I was hoping maybe somebody else has dealt with something like this. Bad Batteries or am I barking up the wrong tree? I just bought the truck, has 144k miles. It was having starting issues when I bought it, Previous owner always plugged it in so I replaced the relay and was going to do some glow plugs, but went to start it two days ago and barely got it to crank. Now it won't crank at all just does this. I had the charger on it today and then took this video. Now I have the batteries out of the truck and am charging each individually. I took them to Oreillys and they said that one was good but low on CCA's and the other needs to be charged and retested (possibly bad).

Sorry for the long winded post but I just want to get this thing started so I can track down some other issues it has...

 

I have the exact same issue; and I have had it on and off for over 8 years now.

My issue started when I had a new stereo and amplifier installed. Died on me the following weekend after the install. Drove it home from work and it sat for Sat & Sun and wouldn't start Monday morning. Put new batteries and a new high amp (170 amp) alternator in. If I didn't drive it for a week or more the batteries would be very low to dead when I tried to crank it over. Then my alternator would die and the cycle would repeat. New alternator & new batteries, good for 12-18 months; wash, rinse repeat........

What I've found is that after awhile the alternator(s) are no longer producing enough voltage at idle. So at idle the truck is literally running off the batteries. Anything over idle usually brings the voltage back up. Until the alternator actually hard fails the truck won't let you know unless you pay close attention to your voltage gauge. It always seems that the voltage regulator, inside the alternator, is what fails. But the dead batteries are usually the first sign of that the problem is creeping back up again.

Usually, it's the passenger side battery that dies or doesn't charge well for me. But once one dies, the good battery tries to equalize the other, which eventually kills it.

I've done several thing to try and resolve the issue. I'm now on a 250 amp alternator. I've tried installing the ambulance package to bring a second alternator online when I need it. I've replace all the terminals and battery cables all to 0 gauge wire. All it has every gotten me is a 2 year reprieve before the gremlin returned.

Right now I'm in the process of changing out the batteries and alternators (again). But this time I'm putting in a couple of battery isolators at key points on the cables to see if I can isolate the culprit.


I'm not trying to scare you off, and I hope your is a far simpler fix than mine. Your video and description just rung a bell when I viewed your post. I hope you find a solution because I'll be the first to jump in and try it.

 

I've had that happen to both my 7.3 and 6.0, both times it was my batteries. I put in brand new batteries and everything was good.

 

It sounds like something could be going on in your dash. Either something was mis-wired during the install or something is amiss under the dash. For that kind of drain on the batteries when you're running, it would be a good idea to check the voltage on your AIH line and glowplug line to make certain they turn off when they should.

JamesHajek - Batteries... both of them. These batteries are hooked up in parallel and it is always best to replace them as a pair.

 

Our work truck was doing this trick the dash strobe light effects stopped after we replaced batteries and we finally tracked down battery drain to interior dome light magically turning on and off itself during the night!! since its a work truck no one was around to notice until security spotted it one night,,,,, jwj

 

Thanks Guys. I charged them up all night outside the truck, Gonna grab some coffee here and go out and try it. If not, I will be replacing them. It just made me nervous with all the clicking and flashing in the dash when I turned the key. Wanted to make sure I was chasing the problem appropriately. Not sure what did them over. When I bought the truck, they seemed fine. I could draw them down if I cranked on it for a few seconds, but I brought the truck home, sat for a week and couldn't get it to come back to life after that even after trying to jump it with the OBS...

Jlower, I hope I don't have to replace them that often. Lol. I hate wiring issues and chasing them down.

 

I'd bet that something is pulling your batteries down (boy that amp/stereo is suspect) in your electrical system. Here is a way to check. You put a multimeter across the posts of the either battery and have a helper remove one fuse at a time (do the underdash AND the underhood fuses & relays). When the circuit which is pulling the batteries down is found by pulling the fuse or relay, the voltage reading will rise in the multimeter. Once you know the circuit, you can put the fuse back in and begin to disconnect each device in that circuit one at a time, the voltage reading will rise again...then you know what is causing the problem. I think the alternators are failing due to having to work too hard when the truck is running to try to make up for the depleted batteries state of charge which is always low due to the bad circuit device which is killing the batteries. Hope this helps, if you haven't tried this method.

 

Thanks for that... I was going to ask how to go about finding a draw if there is one... Reps sent!

 

You are welcome James...Here is a troubleshooting guide.

Here is a page on Charging System Checks.

Did your truck start this morning?

 

Well, I charged them up all night and just checked them. 11.84v on one and 11.76v on the other... Guess I know what that means...

 

They are dead meat apparently...Did you charge them on a slow charge (~2amp) overnight? Did you check the voltage at the alternator (looking for voltage drop)? If more than 0.5 volts less than batteries then you have a circuit problem between batteries and alternator.

Here is the complete Leece-Neville Training Manual for Preventive Maintenance and Diagnostic Procedures on Heavy-Duty Vehicles.

 

Yesterday when I had the trickle charge - 2amp, I got nothing. So I charged them out of the truck overnight. Couple hours a piece on 6amp. I have not checked the alternator yet. I would like to get it started first. The alternator is almost brand new, but once I get it running, I will follow up with seeing what the alternator is putting out..

 

James get rid of those batteries. After install just check putput on alternator. You should be fine if alls well. If you have a big stero then the install mit not be up to sniff.
Chet

 

Thanks Chet, Going to do it right now... The Previous owner painted the cable clamps so I had to wrestle with those for the last hour to get them to loosen. Gonna go see what Oreilly's has to offer since I don't have a costco too close by. Stereo is the factory stereo so I think I should be good after this.. Let you guys know after the new batteries.

 

Replaced the batteries and it cranks now... All is well... Except for it not starting, but that is a seperate issue. I've got it plugged in, will try again in a while..