Archived Can't start truck after batteries died.

[SShafranko]

My batteries died after leaving some lights on overnight. I have two new Optima batteries. I charged them over night at 2. 5 amps and in the morning they were perfect. Now my truck will not start. There are no codes and when i turn the key everything works fine until i try to start it. It does nothing. No sounds, no ticking, nothing. Almost as if the neutral safety switch was not working. Any ideas appreciated.

 

[SShafranko]

Do i have to reload Smarty?

 

[p-Bar]

How about pulling off the battery cables for 5 minutes and re hook up. Smarty shouldn't be an issue.

 

[SShafranko]

I'm gonna try it now. I tryed loading Smarty and it gets stuck on Checking Data Please Wait. Its been there for 15 minutes now. I wonder if something is wrong with the ECM. I will try the cables now TY

 

[GaryOwen]

I'm thinking if the battery voltage is too low, the engine will not crank. If ECM (I think) sees voltage below a certain amount (12. 5 volts?) it prevents engine from starting. This is by memory from reading of starting problems in the past, so I hope I am correct in this information.

 

[Hoefler]

2. 5 amps over night is not enough to charge 2 completely flat batteries. That is only 1. 25 amps each. You need to charge them at least at 10 amps for a long time, very long time. I would charge them at 25 amps for at least 8 hours.

 

[SShafranko]

2. 5 amps over night is not enough to charge 2 completely flat batteries. That is only 1. 25 amps each. You need to charge them at least at 10 amps for a long time, very long time. I would charge them at 25 amps for at least 8 hours.

They are Gel batteries. You have to trickle charge them at very low amperage for a long time. I have 13. 25 amps right now and it still will not start.

 

[SShafranko]

Still Can't start. Checked everything> I'm lost!

 

[Curious Dave]

I am guessing it cranks... Start checking all of your circuits with a DMM. That should narrow things down for you. You may also try checking your relays. I had something like this happen to me and I started checking all the fuses and relays. I pulled one out and put it back in and the darn thing started right up. It was just a corroded terminal. Not even badly corroded. Just changed color. Once the oxide was off or disrupted I had current again.

 

[Bob Wagner]

what is your wtsl light doing? flashing?

 

[SShafranko]

Thanks for all the help. I called a dealer and spoke to one of the techs. He told me that when you charge the batteries for a long period of time you have to disconnect the cables and charge directly to the posts. He said that i probably burnt something like the main fuse or the starter relay. It turns out it was the 2 amp fuse in the fuse box. It said on the fuse box door that it was for the ignition. Not sure exactly what but i replaced it and the truck fired right up. Thanks again

 

[p-Bar]

We all learn from these things and it always helps to give us closure so we can help the next guy with the same problem. Glad it's taken care of.