Testing batteries

[Denis]

My '97 was built in Nov of '96 and my batteries were original so I wanted to check out my batteries; starting had been slugish and cold weather is around the corner. An easy way to check each individual battery is take off the negative lead from one battery and try to start the engine; then do the other battery. This places all the starting load on one battery. As it turned out one of my batteries was dead and I had been running off only one for a while. Replaced both batteries and I should be set for 5 more years.

 

[CAM]

Good to know , thanks!



Mike

 

[hammong]

As a followup - just so everybody hears it, NEVER replace just ONE battery. The internal resistance of a battery changes over time, and mixing an old and new battery will place significant stress on just ONE of the batteries, causing premature failure of one or both.



Greg

 

[Ron Bissett]

Pre winter clean and check should include rotate batteries gives each one same amp draw from starter , as dr side is starter battery . wash , clean terminals , clean tray, rotate , clamp , tighten lube charge test voltage . Ron in Louisville KY Also some things we can't explain just know that it works as to rotating the Battry , seems like the one on the drivers side is the one to go first ,could be that the wire leingh of the battries , all things are not equal . also the battry tray should be serviced clean, paint. ect and same for hold down parts. Just seems like a small thing that may or may not help but do clean the battry tray ,and battry must be removed to do that and its easy to clean battry when out of the truck . Your choise . Ron in Louisville KY

 

[illflem]

Don't know the value of rotating batteries. The batteries are connected together in parallel, all electrical functions on the truck are driven by both batteries.