Archived Wont start?

[mitchC]

Hello I have a 2006 3500 with power everything and It wont start in the morning just clicks I have jumped it and started it that way. I took it to dealer and they said there was a flash for battery drain down which they did and seemed ok for 2 days then no start again. I hoped it was batteries so took it to outfit with a battery tester and they did a draw down test and said batteries were good. I checked the electrolite level and the one left side battery was low in four cells so I added distilled water to top off. I can jump it and it starts and runs around all day but when I leave it overnight its no go the next morning. I checked the battery voltage this morning both were at about 10. 5 volts. Thanks any help greatly appreciated.

Mitch

 

[MMerlino]

mitch C

Battery(ies) reading 10. 5 VDC are discharged and will not turn over out big diesels. A charged battery should read 12. 7 VDC.



The first thing I would do is to remove the connectors at the batteries and thoroughly clean the battery posts and the connectors themselves. Prior to removing the connectors I would recommend wetting the outside, sprinkling some baking soda over the tops and connectors, let the soda sit for about two minutes then rinse off the battery and connectors with HOT water. This will neutralize the case and clean the outside.



Before you reconnect the connectors to the battery put an amp meter in line and look at the static draw. It should be minimal without anything running (disconnect the under hood light to eliminate the current draw from it while testing).



Good luck,



MM

 

[mitchC]

Thanks for the reply MM I did remove the connectors and clean them and reinstall

without effect. I dont have a dc ammeter but will look for one tomarrow. After restarting and running on high idle the batteries were at 12. 89 volts.

 

[Missouri Mule]

mitchC, Was the 12. 89 with the engine running or off?



Sounds like you have something drawing the power from the batteris overnight or a bad cell( a bad cell can drain a battery over night) .





Did anyone do a load test on them (one battery at a time)? Auto Electric shop can do this test.

 

[p-Bar]

That truck should be charging at 14. 4 volts especially at high idle. May want to check your charging circuit.

 

[Bob4x4]

Charging voltage will vary depending on batt condition and ambient temp

 

[mitchC]

Update

I have since changed the batterys. The drivers side looked more like a ball than a battery. It was so swollen I almost couldnt believe it. I checked the charging circuit at the batterys. on high idle at 1500 its right under 15 volts.

the meter in the truck seems to never deviate from about that number unless I shut it down and restart. at idle it will be at about 13 volts then jumps to almost 15.

I ran a leak down test on both the batterys I replaced and could not get a bad battery reading. the unswollen one was slightly higher in voltage but both stil above 12. 5

Still looking for some answers any and all help appreciated.

Chris

 

[p-Bar]

how about a bad cable ? it does happen

 

[Bob4x4]

Thanks for the reply MM I did remove the connectors and clean them and reinstall

without effect. I dont have a dc ammeter but will look for one tomarrow. After restarting and running on high idle the batteries were at 12. 89 volts.

You can use a simple test light across the negative terminal to the negative cable to check for a draw. But remember the modules must go to sleep before the test will be accurate

 

[mitchC]

Hello I put the test light in the ground side of my battery and started pulling fuses I got a good dimming off pulling the IOD fuse #11 the next fuse that had an noticable impact on the light was #23 EOD/WCM/HVC the next fuse I pulled that made a further dimming of test lamp was #36 audio amp. After pulling that last fuse the light began to pulsate. Im stumped. Ive pulled everything in the panel and still have light. agian any and all imput appreciated.

mitch

 

[p-Bar]

Bob4X4 is your best luck on this issue. Wait for him to chime in

 

[JGamble]

I have seen what you said about the battery swollen like a balloon. Remember brother, your batts run in parallel. . I would look at the lines and so forth. If that batts the size of a balloon, you need to look at the charging circuit. Bad things could come out of this if you dont.



Regards,

John

 

[mitchC]

Thanks for all the help.

Today I took the truck to the dealer and they checked it out and found nothing abnormal so until something else happens Im going to run with it.

thank you for all the support you guys are great.

Mitch