Cold Weather and Low Batteries

[RGramlow]

I parked my pickup on Wednesday night at about 10* F, and the temp probably never got above 10* F at all. Thursday night it got down to -25*, and was about -5* Friday at 1:30 when I went to start my pickup. The batteries were weak, and I let the heater cycle once and thought I would try to start it, it was only -5, and I have started it a couple of time in the morning at -10, when it was run the day before without troubles, but apparently the extra day and a half of really cold weather drained the batteries and made the big cummins kind of stiff. It tuned over kind of slow, and never fired, so I though I would cycle the heaters two times and try it again, they cycled once, but not twice, my question is, does the computer sense batt. voltage and not let the heaters cycle when the voltage is low, and also does it take a certian amount of voltage to even get the ECM to fire even though it is turning over? I finally got my pickup started, but it took a little time. I don't know if the batteries finally got enough charge, or enough heat was created by cranking it over. Any thoughts on the low voltage?

 

[WoodChuck]

Are you running synthetic oil? At those temps that would help.

 

[RGramlow]

Are you running synthetic oil? At those temps that would help.

Actually I just changed it yesterday to 5w-40 synthetic blend, hoping it would help.



Does anyone know about the low voltage and the heaters not cycling a second time and the ECM not letting it fire, or was it just not turning over fast enough? Any ideas guys?

 

[RGramlow]

Anyone have any ideas about the low voltage?

 

[coobie]

Anyone have any ideas about the low voltage?

I live in Michigan,temps here are about -5 below. I have had my 2004/ 2500 cummins 305/555 since dec of 2004. I have never had a problem with low batts or cold starts. My truck will set for 3 days in below zero weather before I drive it,sometimes not plugged in,it fires right up. I would have the batteries checked. coobie

 

[MichaelWright]

RG,



There was a tsb out on something to do with a low voltage/battery problem. It was discussed either here, or over at dtr. Someone here should know about it and give a reply. Or give your dealer a call, "maybe" they will be able to look it up. I usually have to find the tsb and tell them what needs fixing, if it applies to my truck.



I would also recommend a pair of Optima batteries, not what you want to hear, I know.



Mike

 

[CAT 385]

My truck does the exact same thing, I recently had knee surgery and did not drive my truck for a couple days then when I went to start it barely would turn over. I put a charger on it for a few hours and it started right up but it never would take a full charge. A couple days later same thing. I put my volt meter on it and I do not get any voltage drop in 30 minutes of watching the meter. My next step is to try and isolate all the circuits to see if there is a very small draw by removing the neg. cables and putting a test light from the post to the cable if it lights there is a draw then i will pull fuses till it goes out. I will let you know howit goes.

 

[joeyou]

I parked my pickup on Wednesday night at about 10* F, and the temp probably never got above 10* F at all. Thursday night it got down to -25*, and was about -5* Friday at 1:30 when I went to start my pickup. The batteries were weak, and I let the heater cycle once and thought I would try to start it, it was only -5, and I have started it a couple of time in the morning at -10, when it was run the day before without troubles, but apparently the extra day and a half of really cold weather drained the batteries and made the big cummins kind of stiff. It tuned over kind of slow, and never fired, so I though I would cycle the heaters two times and try it again, they cycled once, but not twice, my question is, does the computer sense batt. voltage and not let the heaters cycle when the voltage is low, and also does it take a certian amount of voltage to even get the ECM to fire even though it is turning over? I finally got my pickup started, but it took a little time. I don't know if the batteries finally got enough charge, or enough heat was created by cranking it over. Any thoughts on the low voltage?

If you have a 2001, as your profile indicates, you are probably about due for new batteries. They only last about 3 years--the original batteries only lasted 3 years on both my 95 and 99.

 

[DSpencer]

Be carefull to charge the batteries! If you make several short trips of less than 20 minutes or so the truck may not be fully charging your batteries. The grid heater uses a lot of juice.



I think that some batteries like optimas will hold their charge better in cold weather.

 

[RGramlow]

If you have a 2001, as your profile indicates, you are probably about due for new batteries. They only last about 3 years--the original batteries only lasted 3 years on both my 95 and 99.

This is on the 2005 pickup that I had the problem, maybe I will look for the TSB and see what I can find there. I had run the pickup for a quite a while the time before so they should have been charged.



CAT 385- Did you find any parasitic drain on the batteries, I am sure there is some already built in for the computers and what not, another way is to hook an am meter inplace where you are hooking the test light, then you know exactly how many amps of drain there is.

 

[WoodChuck]

Check your owners manual. I recall reading about a fuse to disconnect for long term storage. This fuse is left out at the factory and the dealer installs it as part of the vehicle prep before delivery.

 

[CAT 385]

I just did finish running the test and there is a constant draw, I pulled every fuse in ther except for the airbags (figured they had locks on them for a reason) light never went out. I never even thnought of using the meter (had it right there with me) maybe later I will go back out and try again with the meter. I just had my ACL replaced and my miniscus repaired and crutches are a pain in the mud, need to rest a while.