Electrically Stumped
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Electrically Stumped
I have a 2003 F250, 6.0 diesel. The truck wouldn't start due to dead batteries one day(of corse it would be a day when my wife needed the truck so I took her car to work...
). She had it jumped and went on her way. Next day, truck started fine, took it to work. Went to come home and, you guessed it, dead batteries. I had it jumped to get it home. The next day I cleaned all the battery cables, clamps, and posts thinking this would cure the problem. Afterwards, it started just fine. next day it wouldn't start again and hasn't for the last 6 days. Over the last 6 days, what charge is in the batteries hasn't left...headlights still come on about half strength, dome light, etc., and only clicks when turning the key. But now I can't even get it to jump start, with cables or hot start. They made no difference at all. Any Ideas? I would think if it was a braker, fuse, or a bad cable, it would sever all power. But with everything electronic these days, I guess it's hard to say.
). She had it jumped and went on her way. Next day, truck started fine, took it to work. Went to come home and, you guessed it, dead batteries. I had it jumped to get it home. The next day I cleaned all the battery cables, clamps, and posts thinking this would cure the problem. Afterwards, it started just fine. next day it wouldn't start again and hasn't for the last 6 days. Over the last 6 days, what charge is in the batteries hasn't left...headlights still come on about half strength, dome light, etc., and only clicks when turning the key. But now I can't even get it to jump start, with cables or hot start. They made no difference at all. Any Ideas? I would think if it was a braker, fuse, or a bad cable, it would sever all power. But with everything electronic these days, I guess it's hard to say.
Tuned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 474
Likes: 3
Dead cell in one of the batteries. Replace both batteries with new and it should be fine. Do not only change just one battery as they are both toast now and would not last long with just one. Most of my trucks have 4 batteries and when they fail to hold a charge i always change all 4 at the same time and they average about 4 to 5 years per set. Changing just one battery at a time is like changing just half your oil.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I have a 2003 F250, 6.0 diesel. The truck wouldn't start due to dead batteries one day(of corse it would be a day when my wife needed the truck so I took her car to work...). She had it jumped and went on her way. Next day, truck started fine, took it to work. Went to come home and, you guessed it, dead batteries. I had it jumped to get it home. The next day I cleaned all the battery cables, clamps, and posts thinking this would cure the problem. Afterwards, it started just fine. next day it wouldn't start again and hasn't for the last 6 days. Over the last 6 days, what charge is in the batteries hasn't left...headlights still come on about half strength, dome light, etc., and only clicks when turning the key. But now I can't even get it to jump start, with cables or hot start. They made no difference at all. Any Ideas? I would think if it was a braker, fuse, or a bad cable, it would sever all power. But with everything electronic these days, I guess it's hard to say.
). She had it jumped and went on her way. Next day, truck started fine, took it to work. Went to come home and, you guessed it, dead batteries. I had it jumped to get it home. The next day I cleaned all the battery cables, clamps, and posts thinking this would cure the problem. Afterwards, it started just fine. next day it wouldn't start again and hasn't for the last 6 days. Over the last 6 days, what charge is in the batteries hasn't left...headlights still come on about half strength, dome light, etc., and only clicks when turning the key. But now I can't even get it to jump start, with cables or hot start. They made no difference at all. Any Ideas? I would think if it was a braker, fuse, or a bad cable, it would sever all power. But with everything electronic these days, I guess it's hard to say.Disconnect negative leads and charge batteries. Let them sit for a day and verify they are holding a charge before reconnecting them. With fully charged batteries can you start? If still no, I would be looking for cable or connection problem. Don't forget, cables have two ends and connections on both need to be in good shape. Especially the grounds.
Good luck,
Steve
Tuned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 474
Likes: 3
As long as he doesn't have a charging problem which i doubt he does as his gauges and lights would have alerted him by now. And he has cleaned all cables and posts so i bet a case of beer it is the batteries. He has the classic case of dead battery syndrome caused not by the charging system but by the batteries themselves. Run to wally world and get 2 new batteries and i think u will start and be good to go. A battery with a dead short like you probably have will not let u jump are charge your batteries. U can even ruin the batteries in the doner vehicle if u try or fry a alternator or something.
Tuned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 474
Likes: 3
I have a 2003 F250, 6.0 diesel. The truck wouldn't start due to dead batteries one day(of corse it would be a day when my wife needed the truck so I took her car to work...). She had it jumped and went on her way. Next day, truck started fine, took it to work. Went to come home and, you guessed it, dead batteries. I had it jumped to get it home. The next day I cleaned all the battery cables, clamps, and posts thinking this would cure the problem. Afterwards, it started just fine. next day it wouldn't start again and hasn't for the last 6 days. Over the last 6 days, what charge is in the batteries hasn't left...headlights still come on about half strength, dome light, etc., and only clicks when turning the key. But now I can't even get it to jump start, with cables or hot start. They made no difference at all. Any Ideas? I would think if it was a braker, fuse, or a bad cable, it would sever all power. But with everything electronic these days, I guess it's hard to say.
). She had it jumped and went on her way. Next day, truck started fine, took it to work. Went to come home and, you guessed it, dead batteries. I had it jumped to get it home. The next day I cleaned all the battery cables, clamps, and posts thinking this would cure the problem. Afterwards, it started just fine. next day it wouldn't start again and hasn't for the last 6 days. Over the last 6 days, what charge is in the batteries hasn't left...headlights still come on about half strength, dome light, etc., and only clicks when turning the key. But now I can't even get it to jump start, with cables or hot start. They made no difference at all. Any Ideas? I would think if it was a braker, fuse, or a bad cable, it would sever all power. But with everything electronic these days, I guess it's hard to say.
Tuned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 474
Likes: 3
Oh by the way only clicking when u turn the key is a bad sign too, but in your case it is also a godsend as it tells me everything in your starting and electricle system is trying to work. All u need is some good batteries to provide a little more boost and you will be fine. Run to WW and get some now. Walmart has as good as anybody for the money. Time to go back to sleep.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,944
Likes: 4
From: Somewhere In FTE Land
I ran into the same issues, I check my voltages when warm and I was charging at 14.1. So I replaced the batterys and went on my way. About an month later it started doing it again. This time I checked it by hooking an jump wire to it and driving down the road with an voltmeter attached to the jump wire that when i found out while doing 55 mph I was only not charging at 12.6. All accessories was off.
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I ran into the same issues, I check my voltages when warm and I was charging at 14.1. So I replaced the batterys and went on my way. About an month later it started doing it again. This time I checked it by hooking an jump wire to it and driving down the road with an voltmeter attached to the jump wire that when i found out while doing 55 mph I was only not charging at 12.6. All accessories was off.
Just my two cents,
Steve
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Tuned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 474
Likes: 3
The op says it won't jump start so it not the charging system but the batteries. And as far as your truck weeks later only charging 12.1 did u also check it at idle before your jumpwire drive. Also no need for jump wire as u can just check it through any power port or cig lighter. Also just rev engine to 55 mph rpm and u could get close result. Also it should run over 14 volt nomater if all asseries or on if alt is up to snuff.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,944
Likes: 4
From: Somewhere In FTE Land
The op says it won't jump start so it not the charging system but the batteries. And as far as your truck weeks later only charging 12.1 did u also check it at idle before your jumpwire drive. Also no need for jump wire as u can just check it through any power port or cig lighter. Also just rev engine to 55 mph rpm and u could get close result. Also it should run over 14 volt nomater if all asseries or on if alt is up to snuff.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Thanks for the help
I had the batteries tested and they had some bad cells. I've got 2 new batteries on the way and then I should be on MY way. I've just never run into a sittuation dead batteries like that where you couldn't overide the dead batteries by jump starting it. Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Tuned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 474
Likes: 3
Happens all the time in the real world. Especially in multi battery vehicles. If u have 2 3 or four batteries one bad cell in just one battery will slowly drain and destroy all of the batteries. Time it won't start all the batteries are weakened and is why u need to replace the whole set. And with the one totally dead cell it is virtually impossible to jump are charge the set as a whole. U can unhook and isolate both are all the batteries and the ones with out the bad cell will probably take a charge then u hook them all back together and the dead cell will go to work on them all and shortly u are back in the same boat and up a creek without a paddle. Are in laymans words u be walking and are looking for a jump. No fun.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Happens all the time in the real world. Especially in multi battery vehicles. If u have 2 3 or four batteries one bad cell in just one battery will slowly drain and destroy all of the batteries. Time it won't start all the batteries are weakened and is why u need to replace the whole set. And with the one totally dead cell it is virtually impossible to jump are charge the set as a whole. U can unhook and isolate both are all the batteries and the ones with out the bad cell will probably take a charge then u hook them all back together and the dead cell will go to work on them all and shortly u are back in the same boat and up a creek without a paddle. Are in laymans words u be walking and are looking for a jump. No fun.
Steve
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mattri
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Jun 20, 2014 09:34 PM
RedDevil460
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
69
Mar 22, 2014 11:39 PM
FuppedDuck
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Oct 24, 2002 08:22 PM
