Battery Goes Dead in Four Days

[cerberusiam]

FORD has the HEUI. GM has the same pump (or did in 02-03) as the new HPCR Cummins.



DP

Yep, if it had a Duraturd it has the same Bosch injection system as the Cummins. Still didn't start as well as the Cummins. :-laf If it cranked for that long probably had bad injectors, common problem with the early engines. All the electronic engines need at least 2 revoltions to synch the crank and/or cam sensor to know when to fire the injectors, about a 2 count if all is working good. Still nothing like the old 12V fire on the first piston up though.



Fords were the worst as the HEUI used oil pressure to fire the injectors and you had to spin it to get the pressure up enough to start it.

 

[Greenleaf]

I don't know what model year the truck was... ... ... .....



Hey DP, I thought of you and your "No good deed goes unpunished" but alas. All is well with my alternator thus far. I thought for sure it would be toast.

 

[GHarman]

Greenleaf, Been pondering this fer a spell. Not that I am a Guru, or any such wizard on these trucks. Have you LOOKED at the brushes on your alternator? Mine were worn down to the point that they were bouncing in and out of contact! Another possibility is that you have a BROKEN wire somewhere in your system. Is the charging system routed through the PCM? Man, did I have fits with Old Ugly electrical issues in '07-'08. Replaced the Voltage regulator, alternator, battery, instrument cluster and swapped out the PCM. Almost everything works, NOW! Hope you find yer little gremlinOo. . GregH

 

[Greenleaf]

Yes, through the PCM. I will keep an eye skinned w/my DVOM to monitor the voltage this fall.



I had this trouble late last summer and never got around to doing anything about it. I figgured it was the brake controller that keeps turning the brake lamps on-off-on-off.



Now the controller is unhooked and the battery still went DOA



We'll see how the new group #31 does as the weather cools off.



It has been setting for two days now and counting... ...

 

[GHarman]

Greenleaf, You didn't weld on yer truck without disconnecting the PCM? Did Ya! I would be more concerned with the TIG (GTAW) process as a culprit 'cause most (not all) TIG (GTAW) has a High Frequency start and it will blow any computer attached! However, an arc strike with a poor ground or improperly placed ground will wreak havoc with any attached electrical systems. That goes for Stick(GMAW) and Mig (GMAW). Just some random oldtimers mental lapses. GregH

 

[sdstriper]

I am going with the fact the battery was old and not used regular, sulfate buildup without regular charge/discharge and you have the expected/predictable end result that Scott is seeing now. The old saying goes, "A battery is like a piggy bank. If you keep taking out and putting nothing back you soon will have nothing. "

 

[PToombs]

Wow, Ross is a poet, bet he didn't know it!

:-laf :-laf

 

[Greenleaf]

Right, no welding with the battery connected. I also place the groung lead right next to the weldment.



Wife said the battery should last ten years.

 

[JLEONARD]

Wife said the battery should last ten years.

The battery in what?:-laf:-laf

 

[Greenleaf]

... ... ... cough! cough! LOOSER! cough! cough!... .....

 

[sdstriper]

If you want the battery to last 10 years you would have to invest in a battery maintainer. Especially with the amount your truck sits in the off season as well as not getting regular use. What's the longest non-prorated battery warranty you've ever seen or heard of? Not even close to 10 years. I've had several cheap automotive and motorcycle batteries crap out on me in one year or less, they were replaced under warranty but that doesn't cover the BS hassle and inconvenience I was under at the time... Those batteries were used in similar situations to you, winter storage and/or not regular use. Best battery I ever had was a Deka that was in the truck I bought, East Penn is a good company and we can't get them out here reasonable because there are no dealers...

 

[dpuckett]

I had a 10 year old battery blow its top one night coming home in my nonIC 91. Battery acid all over the left side under the hood.



DP

 

[GHarman]

Right, no welding with the battery connected. I also place the groung lead right next to the weldment.

Greenleaf, Not quite what I meant. I mean; the PCM disconnected at the wiring harness plug in. Big difference. An arc can find a holiday in your wiring harness, follow it to another holiday (cracked or broken insulation, uninsulated connectors) and jump back to the frame. Possibly taking a detour through the PCM. This is a worse case scenerio. Especially if you have a bad ground. Just a thought. High Frequency start on a TIG is noteworthy for blowing holes through a Weldors glove if improperly grounded. Man that SMARTS. GregH

 

[Greenleaf]

So far the new Decka #31 is holding. I have driven the truck to work in the early am when it's in the 40's after setting a number of days.



Good so far.



The starter went out of the other truck now... ... ... ...

 

[Jgolden]

Light comes on....

Light comes on... . I read the original post here a while back. Even offered a post with the thought that the battery might be suffering from old age.

Fast forward to last week, doing some work on my rig and the temps are in the 40's. Each time I go to start I get a relay click and a reluctant start.



Cleaned all the contacts etc. etc. same problem. Priced a new starter. Checked for a rebuild. Went to unhook the battery (came with the vehicle when I bought it in 03) looked at the date sticker. Light comes on in my brain, wow this battery is pretty old.



At least I didn't do a search and find my own post with the answer.

 

[ChrisWilliams]

What's the CCA on your new Decka 31?

 

[Greenleaf]

Not very high. I believe its 860 The same ones I install in the school buses.



I am told there are over 1000 cca group 31's yet I operate a fleet of buses and have yet to this day found anything much over 900 in a #31 not to mention 1000.



My Deca wholesale dealer does not list anything near 1000 cca in a group 31. The local truck dealership don't have any Exide at or above 1000



I contribute that to the fact trucks, real trucks, use 3 or 4 batteries. Or they use that monster 8D. My buses use some of them too.

 

[Jgolden]

The one I bought today is an 925CCA Exide (31) , replaced an Interstate 950CCA (31).



I have no idea how accurate the CCA numbers are but it sure do spin faster now. Sure is a heavy thing.