Starting problem
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Waxhaw,NC
Starting problem
So I went to Target with my wife yesterday and after about 30 mins of shopping, left the store and tried to start the Ex and will not start. The engine tuned over slowly like the battery did not have enough juice to start the truck. So I had it jumped and it started right up. So I went to autozone and the battery and alternator tested and both and in good working order.
Today it happened again. After stopping at a fast food joint to grab a quick bite, same thing it did not start. But before I started the truck the volt meter showed about 12.6 volts. When I tried to start it, the engine turned really slow and did not start. By that time the volt meter showed about only 6.5 volts. So trying to start it just drained the battery. I had it jumped and it started right up. Went back to Autozone and had the battery and alternator tested and both are fine.
Once the truck is running, the volt meter shows ~13.5 - 14 v volts. No other electrical issues while driving.
Any ideas on what's happening? What should I check for?
Battery is about 3 years old.
I will charge the battery over night and see what happens tomorrow.
Today it happened again. After stopping at a fast food joint to grab a quick bite, same thing it did not start. But before I started the truck the volt meter showed about 12.6 volts. When I tried to start it, the engine turned really slow and did not start. By that time the volt meter showed about only 6.5 volts. So trying to start it just drained the battery. I had it jumped and it started right up. Went back to Autozone and had the battery and alternator tested and both are fine.
Once the truck is running, the volt meter shows ~13.5 - 14 v volts. No other electrical issues while driving.
Any ideas on what's happening? What should I check for?
Battery is about 3 years old.
I will charge the battery over night and see what happens tomorrow.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
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Just had this exact same problem. Wouldn't start, jumped it with the other car and it fired right up. Drove it around for 30 minutes, stopped for fuel, and same problem. At other jump start and I was on my way. Got home, turned the truck off and went to start it immediately just to see - nothing, one super slow crank and that was it.
It ended up being the battery cable connections. They seemed tight up top on the terminals, but the passenger side could be twisted by hand with some effort. Took them off and reshaped them with a hammer (NOT an ideal solution, but worked for troubleshooting) and it fired right up - even though a few minutes before it acted like the batteries were dead.
It ended up being the battery cable connections. They seemed tight up top on the terminals, but the passenger side could be twisted by hand with some effort. Took them off and reshaped them with a hammer (NOT an ideal solution, but worked for troubleshooting) and it fired right up - even though a few minutes before it acted like the batteries were dead.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Waxhaw,NC
Cleaned the battery terminals really good and made sure they have a nice tight connection. Charged it overnight and started fine the next morning. However, after stopping to get gas, it would not start without a jump again. So I stopped at Advance Auto just to get a second opinion and this time it showed a dead cell. I decided right there to replace the battery and its been starting great since then.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
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Cleaned the battery terminals really good and made sure they have a nice tight connection. Charged it overnight and started fine the next morning. However, after stopping to get gas, it would not start without a jump again. So I stopped at Advance Auto just to get a second opinion and this time it showed a dead cell. I decided right there to replace the battery and its been starting great since then.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
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From: Stevens Point, WI
Thats the problem with battery tests. A battery with a dead cell can still show good voltage but have weak cranking power. The battery should be load tested to see if it has a bad cell or is just weak.
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I may have worded that poorly, just the passenger side battery was bad so it was $125. Replaced the driver side last year.
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Unless you're financially strapped, never replace just one battery.
Stewart
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Point taken and stored however, thank you. First time owning a diesel lol.
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You do what ya gotta do.
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