Trouble starting...battery problems?

[Heath Smith]

2014 6.7 Cummins 2500 Laramie 4X4

Over the last 2 years, about one in 20 starts, I get a click, as if the batteries aren't producing enough starting amps. Usually, a second attempt will start the truck...occasionally I have to jump. However, lately, I've been getting this at about 1 in 5 starts. The batteries are less than 2 years old and the connections are good. I haven't tested the batteries yet but gonna try to do that today. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Heath

 

[jhenderson]

Disconnect the batteries form one another before testing. When coupled a good battery can mask the bad one. Perform a load test, not just resting voltage.

 

[TJJEEPER]

If you do have a bad battery it's best to replace them both.
My 6 year old batteries would start the truck but weak such that it would reset the radio every time I started the truck. Got tired of that REAL quick.

 

[kthaxton]

If you do have a bad battery it's best to replace them both.

I would like to modify this statement......it is a necessity! to change them both.

 

[DonR]

I posted the same issue back in 2017 on my 2015 Longhorn but it never really happened often enough that I did much other than clean the battery terminals. Yesterday I went to start the truck and got the dreaded click except this time turning the key off and back on didn't help. Tired several times with no change. Figuring that the batteries had just bit the dust I just went ahead and bought two new batteries. No more issue yesterday or this morning when I went came to work. Then a little while ago I got the dreaded click again except this time it did start after turning the key off and on again but sure worried that this is going to strand me like it did yesterday. When I created the original post I believe it was Sag that responded with a very detailed explanation that this is known as a "Click - no start" and is caused most likely by a grounding issue.

Don