Battery issues
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 102
Likes: 5
Battery issues
So the batteries in my '99 were getting pretty weak. This past week I didn't drive it too much but when I was, it was getting to the point where after 3 seconds of cranking it would be almost completely dead, so I'd cycle the key 2 or 3 more times and it would finally go enough to start. Today i went out and bought new batteries put them it cranked right up. Went to go move it a couple hours later and it lasts about 5 seconds of cranking now and then it starts getting slow and weak and the lights start dimming out. Bad connections? Junk alternator? Where do I start? Irritating that I buy 2 batteries and it did **** all it seems
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 324
From: Arizona
Lots to check. New batteries are not always fully charged so first I would disconnect them and check the charge level, then fully charge as needed. Then re-connect and check connections by cranking a number of times. Sometimes the cable can get corrosion inside where you can't see it. It is also important to check the ground cable all the way to where it bolts to the block. If all this checks out, re-connect and see how they hold. If the batteries go down in hours or overnight you have an abnormal parasitic load which will require a meter to track down. If they stay charged overnight but gradually draw down over time as you use the truck, suspect the alternator. A quick and dirty test to see if the alternator is putting out, turn headlights on with engine running. Turn engine off, headlights should dim slightly. If they don't, alternator probably was not putting out.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
Cycling the key 2/3 times also reactivates the GPR which pulls a lot of amps. Time to grab the multi meter and see what voltage you’re getting from each INDIVIDUAL battery, both batteries running and engine off, then check alternator etc.
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