Archived 2003 dodge ram 3500 automatic ( all stock) Phoenix,Az.

[Gene W. Addington]

I'm new to this so please be patient. first thing that happened was at a stop sign and took off and it didn't want to run and then it would take off. replaced the TPS and solved that problem. then i would be driving and it would just stop running. turn the key off for 10-15 seconds and it would start and would not happen again for days or weeks. One morning it would not crank so i replaced the right hand battery. Worked great for awhile but blew the caps off the new battery and acid got everywhere. the cap was also gone from the power steering pump and power steering fluid got everywhere. I drove it in this condition not knowing it had happened. It stopped running at a stop sign. after about 10-15 seconds with the key off turned it on and it started and ran until i parked it and went into the store. came out of store and cranked and cranked and would not start. That was two months ago and i really need my truck. It had thrown these codes p0337,p0480,p0628,p0700,p2127. I have replaced the fuel lift pump. The camshaft sensor. The connector to the camshaft sensor. All of the wires at the connector were bare and touching so i thought the power steering fluid must have caused that. Now the truck will not crank over. The normal solid red light on the instrument panel now blinks on and off. I really need HELP. Could the battery acid cause this?

 

[Tuesdak]

Good luck getting more than 2 years out of batteries in Phoenix's heat. I am guessing the cooling fan may have something to do with the no start, but, IMO it's best covered here: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/245761-2005-5-9L-Cummins-No-Start

 

[Gene W. Addington]

Thanks for the help. I will check the P0480 circuit and then post again.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

One morning it would not crank so i replaced the right hand battery. Worked great for awhile but blew the caps off the new battery and acid got everywhere.

This is why you never replace a single battery in a dual battery system. The older battery likely caused the new battery to overcharge/overheat.

Could the battery acid cause this?

Battery acid can eat through the insulation (and lots of other stuff too).

 

[Gene W. Addington]

I unplugged the connector to the cooling fan and checked voltage. I had 12 volts to the blue wire and 5 volts to the white wire but i also had five volts to the orange wire which i think should be the fan sensor ground so what should i do next. Do all these wires go straight to the ECM or to a sensor first. Ive left it unplugged and charging the batteries and then I am going to try to start it. Thanks for the help.

 

[Mark31]

FIRST thing I would do is buy 2 (two) new Johnson Controls batteries .(Interstate, maybe Walmart, Costco). MarkEagle ain't just woofin! Mark31

 

[Gene W. Addington]

If i had the money then that is what i would have done in the first place. Just trying to make do.

 

[Mark31]

Gene, I feel your pain, bro! Sometimes when one is in a bind, one will do things that he knows that will bite him when he can least afford to be bitten. If you were here, I would give you my (good) Interstate batteries as they are 7 years old, when I planned to replace them. Maybe someone on TDR in your area is about ready to "time out" their batteries and will give you a hand. Triple check that all wires are insulated, or spliced, heat shrunk. Just don't do anything that isn't sound and "shoot yourself in the foot". Hope all will soon be well! Mark

 

[Gene W. Addington]

Thanks Mark, I am not looking for a handout but just some input on why my truck will not run. Gene

 

[petersonj]

One morning it would not crank so i replaced the right hand battery. Worked great for awhile but blew the caps off the new battery and acid got everywhere.

I would take this event very seriously. There are very few conditions that can cause this explosion of hydrogen gas. First the battery must be being charged at a high rate to produce large amounts of hydrogen gas and then a source of heat must be present nearby (such as a spark or glowing wire connection). A spark can occur internally as well, if the battery water level is below the top of the plates.

Since you had just installed a new battery, it is not likely the battery was the problem. I would be looking for a poor electrical connection to or near the battery. Keep in mind that electrical connections can feel tight, but can still have high resistance, thus generating lots of heat at the connection (which could cause random hard or no starts, as well). I would inspect around the new battery to see if you can find any evidence of a high heat condition with any of the nearby wiring or cable connections to the battery.

I only mention this because if a poor connection did contribute to the explosion and the situation is not corrected, it could occur again. So, please be thorough in your inspection.

- John

 

[Gene W. Addington]

Thanks John i will go over that area very carefull.