Another won't start thread
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
Another won't start thread
Hey all- Went to start the truck Sunday and dead , just clicking. Had'nt driven it in a week. Jumped it & started fine, took for drive to charge batts- Restarts fine now. My voltage tests @ idle were- With nothing on - 13.7 - W /headlites - 13.3- Added heater/ blower -13.0 - Added stereo - 12.9 - both batteries voltages were the same. Checked batt. connections and all are tight & clean,also checked ground wires and connections @ alternator and starter. Any thoughts? alternator maybe? I did the feel temperature check this am on alternator & it was cold. Started right up this am also. I'm stumped on this one . Appreciate any advise.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
Grant - I took all my readings after the gpr shut off- I have the glow plug led on the dash My battery light did come on Sunday when it was dead. Now it only comes on when I start it then goes right out, ( I think this is normal) now I cant remember for sure. Batterys are only 2 years old. Replaced them both at same time- Autozone Gold with the yellow tops.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 864
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From: Fort Campbell, KY
Well if your GP's were off, that is a bit low. With both my G3 and G6 alternator, I always get ~14.1 to 14.4 volts at idle. Check the fluid level in your batteries and make sure they are topped off. I recommend using acid and not water if you need to add any. You can buy it from the parts stores, it's pretty cheap. (~$11 for enough to completely fill an empty battery)
Your batteries sitting dead is really bad on them, and if when you inspect the acid level, you find any plates exposed to the open air, they're probably toast. (Victims of sulfation) You may get some extra miles out of them if you trickle charge them to an over charged state and let them stay that way for a bit... 2-3 days. If you don't try removing some of the sulfation, and they are buggered up, you run the risk of 86'n your alternator (if it isn't already Tango Uniform
)
Your batteries sitting dead is really bad on them, and if when you inspect the acid level, you find any plates exposed to the open air, they're probably toast. (Victims of sulfation) You may get some extra miles out of them if you trickle charge them to an over charged state and let them stay that way for a bit... 2-3 days. If you don't try removing some of the sulfation, and they are buggered up, you run the risk of 86'n your alternator (if it isn't already Tango Uniform
)
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 1
From: house springs,mo
yeap i get 14.5-14.9 when idling, if i where you and i had this happen too me to! Take a ride down to autozone are where ever and pull your batteries and alternator and have them bench test them! Most likely and alternator problem!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 1
From: house springs,mo
just borrow there tools you can even remove the alternator by pulling the belt by hand its not hard!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
Got an alarm, amp or anything aftermarket? Sometimes the drain from all these electronic gadgets we have on top of the drain from the PCM will cause a no start if you leave it sitting for a while.
I would take apart and clean the battery connections anyway. The other thing to try next time something like this happens, since I know you tried the key more than just once, jump out and feel the battery cables, wire to solenoid, alternator wire, ground wires, etc. to see if any of them are hot. If you find a hot cable, you've got a bad connection on one end of that cable.
I would take apart and clean the battery connections anyway. The other thing to try next time something like this happens, since I know you tried the key more than just once, jump out and feel the battery cables, wire to solenoid, alternator wire, ground wires, etc. to see if any of them are hot. If you find a hot cable, you've got a bad connection on one end of that cable.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
Yea Chris- Thats a good tip on the hot wire . Don't have anything aftermarket that is new,and I normally dont drive it during the week but I try to drive at least every weekend.I should drive it more in the winter but I just dont get time
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
Update- Went to AutoZoo - They tested all & alternator was going bad. Got new one & installed -After about 15 minutes of running my voltage is already up to 14.2 with nothing on at idle.Gonna take it out & run it a good drive and see how it checks out after. Thanks for all the help !!
