Instrument Code

[Mike Wenrich]

I was camping this weekend with a buddy who has a 2016 2500 6.7 and when he turns the engine off he sees a red number 8 and an arrow of some type in the center of his display. I never saw this on my 2014 and have not seen it on this forum. Is it possible it's a battery code? I had a voltmeter with me and with the batteries at rest overnight they were showing 12.2V, which is a little low. When ignition was turned on it dropped to 11.0 and cranking to 10.1. Started okay but seems low. Both batteries replaced a little over two years ago. Anyone with an idea on this flashing red eight?

 

[Ozymandias]

12.2 is more then just a little low - it's plain empty. Lucky that it still started at that low battery's.

 

[Ozymandias]

How long is your average runtime after an engine start?
I try to figure why your battery's are dead after just two years.

 

[Mike Wenrich]

This is on my buddy's truck and he lives in AZ. We met out in the Mojave Desert for an event and that is when he asked me about the red number 8 flashing. So he had driven about 350 miles to get there. His normal use is not something I know about but since batteries are not what they used to be I believe one or both of them are dying. I did not disconnect one to check separate voltage readings. I just had to replace a battery in my tractor that only lasted two years. The previous one lasted nine years. The two year battery was a DEKA with a two year warranty. Can't seem to do much better than that anymore unless I buy a gel or deep cycle. Of note, the Sears Die Hard Platinums I had in my 2004 truck lasted nine years but those are no longer available. Just too good I suppose.

 

[Ozymandias]

I heard that in Arizona heat 2 years is a good number.

 

[Ozymandias]

By the way, it is wise to choose a battery that can take the high charge voltage that our trucks pump out.
By far not every battery can handle voltages above 14.5V, some even quit at 14V I've seen in the past.

 

[SnoKing]

https://www.cumminsforum.com/threads/8v-message-on-evic.2165961/

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I use only agm batteries because I don't like battery acid leaking. Die Hard platinum batteries were Odyssey.

 

[Mike Wenrich]

Interesting. I did not know about the Die Hard/Odyssey connection. I've seen Odyssey bats are still available but none anywhere near me. So I went with Interstate. Costco. I can find them most everywhere. Do you know if Odyssey still makes the good batteries we used to get at Sears?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

yes, Odyssey Extreme.

 

[Mike Wenrich]

Based on my prior experience in the 2004.5 truck they would be worth the trouble to get them. With the newer trucks and constant electric draw do you believe they would still stand up? And do you use them?