Batteries again

[Bob Cochran]

This morning just got back from Prescott. Truck started good there, took alt. 89 to be different and stopped for the wife to go potty at Winkenburg. Truck started okay. All along voltage stayed normal on voltmeter. After getting home truck sat for 2 hours then when I went to start nothing but clicks. Seems batteries low, battery green lights still showed charged. Tried to using battery charge start booster 50 amps. Still did not start. Always wanted to get Optima Red Tops so went and got 2 of them. Made sure they was charged up. Installed and truck started right up. Batteries just under 2 years old but they go fast in Arizona with the heat. Also before I went and got the batteries there was clicking like a relay inside truck but key was off. Anyway hope the new batteries fixs it and all is okay now. Was strange to be okay then dead!!!!:{

 

[LSMITH]

Bob, check the connections on the starter. What I have seen happen more than once is the main power lead on the starter likes to loosen up. The older batteries run out of power to arc and weld it to the post so it won't start, the clicking relay in the cab is arcing right under your foot. The new batteries have enough to arc and weld again, till you are in COLD or very hot weather. Hope this helps.

 

[Bob Cochran]

LSmith ~ will check into that; probably not until this weekend. Thanks for the hint.



The relay clicking I heard when try to start it is the one your talking about. Later my wife walked by and heard something click and sounded like relay in the cab someplace this was differnt thanb clicking when try to start the truck. Key was off and out of truck for kind of a long time maybe an hour. Did not hear it when I took key out of truck after it would not start.



Will let you know if the starter connection was loose.

 

[Okie-Go]

My truck will be 2 in June. I am planning on replacein them this winter. It may be a waste of money but I don't want to get stranded at the farm this winter. I can get two Champions from Sam's for a tad over a Franklin.

 

[lgibson]

Also the contacts in the starter do this very same thing. I had to have mine replaced a few months ago because of the very same problem as you described. The new batteries are stronger, therefore the will start the truck. How many miles are on your truck, and short trips that you have to start it offten.



Just something to look into. It is a common problem on our trucks.

 

[Bob Cochran]

lgibson ~ 34,000 miles about and I don't know you can't say a lot of short trips sorta in the middle I guess.



One other thing on one of the batteries put charge onand charge up in a few minutes completely. Second battery when never get belwo about 1 amp on tapper charge. While it woudl probably work great on any gasser not sure it helped with my problem. The Optima's sure do spin the Cummins nice though!!!!