Battery dot is black

[John Berger]

My driver side battery dot is no longer green, but dark, which means that the charge is low, but fluid level is fine (according to the owner's manual). The other battery still shows green and the amp meter in the truck is reading normal. How long before I should seriously consider replacing them. TIA

 

[Ron Bissett]

black dot ?

1, Clean post on both batt, then charge with a slow charger if you can set charger to maint free or regular set for what you have seal type jelly slow charge is best . If batt will not hold charge replace it and other batt, Don't get just one new batt as the bad or low one will pull the new one down . Best start with 2 new same type . Also check Alt out put and grounds . Hope this helps , Ron in Louisville KY

 

[Double 6]

I agree that if you have to replace your battery, go ahead and buy 2 new ones. A brand to consider is Optima they are super batteries but pricey.

 

[Bad340fish]

That little eye is just a hydrometer for that one cell. So that cell could be weak OR it could be low enough on acid that the hydrometer will not function because its not submersed. A voltmeter will be a pretty good indication of the status of the battery. First turn the headlights on for about 3 minutes or so to remove any surface charge the alternator has put on it. Then unhook the battery you want to voltmeter. If its over 12. 5 is good. I don't have my little charge chart with me but 12. 65 is 100% 12. 45 is 75% and so on. Anything bellow twelve will fail any kind of load test. Keep us Posted

Clark

 

[John]

.....on the other hand...

you may have an elusive "eye". Having been a GM owner for many years I've experienced this numerous times... with good batteries. The first time this happened I removed the battery from my 4x and just happened to notice that the green "eye" was showing while in its off camber position. Hmmm. I tested the battery only to find what I had already suspected... the battery was good, it was that little POS "eye" that was screwed up as Hogan's goat.



THE MORAL OF THE STORY: no more "eyeball type batteries for me... been an Optima customer ever since. [I currently have two Optima Yellow Top batteries in my '98. 5 Ram]

 

[Bigramguy]

Ditto on what John said..... the "little eye" is not very accurate. Have the battery properly tested before condeming it. Like Ron said,best to replace in pairs.



I have found most diesels to be quite hard on batteries,so I always replace mine every couple of years,just to be safe. We have several CTD's used heavily for our snowplowing business (electric\hydraulic plows),which are also tough on batteries. I tried the Optima's,but they didn't have the reserve capacity needed to run the pump and the lights for a long 2-3 day plow event. I ended up modifiying the battery tray (just trimming the plastic),and using 2 Group 31 Commercial batteries from Interstate. They are rated at 950 CCA\1370 HCA,and have a reserve capacity of 220 mins each. They are also much tougher than a typical automotive battery.

 

[John Berger]

I'm suspecting the batteries are getting near the end of their useful life. I have 61K on the truck and the batteries. I've been told that factory batteries usually last three years. This was the experience with my 95 Dodge 1500, also. Time to check into some Optimas. I'll probably run the batteries into December, unless I start having some problems. The passenger side battery is good, so I should be OK for a bit of time. Thanks for the info on testing the battery. That will be by next step.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

If you start having problems you can disconnect the negative lead on that battery and limp along for a bit on the one battery. I did that for about a month when mine went dead. I doubt that will work if your grid heaters come on though.

 

[RGRAT1618]

I have been working in a battery store part time for over 2 years. When the green dot disappears it really dose not mean a whole lot. The dot on my Vette has been gone for as year now and the battery still load tests fine. I really would not worry about it till you notice having starting problems.





rob