Archived Truck won't start

[btbuchanan]

Got into the truck about an hour ago and tried to start it. When I turned the key to start, I heard a rapid solenoid cycling sound even before I engaged the starter. The sound came from the driver side of the engine, down below the power distribution center. The brake warning light in the instrument panel cycled pretty much in sync. with the solenoid cycling sound. Now the truck won't start (won't turn over or even activate the starter solenoid) and I have no head/driving/parking/turn/brake lights. The truck had been starting and running fine up until today. Had a trailer hooked up to the truck when this started. Disconnected the trailer electrical plug but the cycling continued. Just as I was trying to locate the exact source of the sound, it quit and that was when everything went dark. Light on the trailer brake control is also out.



The starter is less than a year old and the batteries seem fine... no indication they are weak (about 3 years old).



Sounds like an electrical short to me??? What solenoid would have been cycling?



1998 Dodge 2500 5. 9L 12 valve with 160,000 miles.



Any help would be appreciated.



Bruce

 

[btbuchanan]

OK, disregard post. Found problem. Both 3 year old batteries are dead Arrrrrgh! Enough already with Energizer batteries. Going to Optima Red Tops. BTW, checked the glove compartment light problem and it is shutting off properly. Have to still check for voltage ground leak and alternator/regulator output, but should be back on the road shortly. Thanks

 

[Missouri Mule]

Hope the batteries solve the problem. If you have time pull starter and check starter solenoid contacts.

 

[btbuchanan]

Bill,



Thanks for the comment. Starter should be OK as it is less than a year old. The batteries fixed it. Starting and running fine. Weird, that the batteries were just fine yesterday and today they are at 8 volts and won't take a charge. Checked alternator and voltage regulator and they are fine. No sign of leak-down yet, but too early to tell. I'll be watching for it.



Thanks again,



Bruce

 

[Missouri Mule]

They probably shorted out. I had customer that had 97 CTD started at a store 1 mile away stopped at my stand and wouldn't crank for anything until I dropped one of my batteries in. He replaced both batteries Interstate told boht his had shorted out. Shorted out= dust forms on plates drops to bottom of battery when the dust builds up enough on the bottom to touch plates it shorts the battery.