(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Another Battery Issue

W

wolfman

Well-known Member
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup with gas engine. Don't use it every day, battery always sounds a little weak but it always started. Back of my mind, i always thought something must be taking battery power as the truck sits idle. Today at zero degree, battery barely turned engine over. Should of done this earlier, but tomorrow I'm going to put a charger on it to see if it needs or takes much charge. Do these newer trucks have "stuff" that drains down the battery? Do all 5.7s kind of crank slowly ( like my 851 Ford tractor)? Truck only has 8000 miles.
 
Yes, It is called a computer and the clock keeps time too. My truck killed a battery in about 13 months. If you do not run it a few times a week, get a Battery tender.
SDE
 
While newer vehicles do have more electronic "stuff" that are constantly draining the battery, (although it be minimal under normal conditions), any battery needs to be kept at near full charge. I have a 76 truck that I don't drive often, so about once a month, I hook up the battery charger and let it charge for two or three hours.
 
At 0 degrees every battery has a hard time. The colder the wires the more resistance in wires, therefore more amps to over come(not to mention cold engine fluids when first starting). Could be fully charged, but if it has a lower cold cranking amperage(CCA) could seam like its dead. When I go for new batts I find the highest CCA I can(in size I need). And yes, any computer memory(electronic diagnostic uses some of this) or clock pulls power, some models might even have some type of security device that would also pull when idle. Most of the stuff should have a lower draw so it shouldn't kill a battery unless over a long time( a few months/over a year). I could be wrong but that my thought
 
Yea they do. All the new vehicles have computers, radios, other things that need and use very small amounts of power all the time. If you don't drive them much they eventually run the battery down. Battery tenders seem to really help with this. Just install one and plug it in when you park it and batteries last much longer and are always up when you do finally decide to drive it. I got nine years out of the last battery in my one ton crew cab that only hauls hay every few months now since the kids have grown and we don't do the fair or go camping much and sits otherwise. Now that gas is down I have been thinking about driving it more. I really like driving it.

Greg
 
The colder the wire, the LESS resistance, but most of the extra current is required to overcome the stiff lubrication.
 
That's what I thought I remembered from a electronics class I took (how long ago don't recall). That's why I added the last sentence.
 
I suspect almost all modern vehicles have electronics that can slowly drain their batteries. I had a 1987 Dodge Dakota pickup that had enough electronics to drain the battery in about six weeks. It still had a two barrel carbureted V-6.
 
A typical battery can lose around 30% of its capacity at 32*F, it can lose around 50% at 0*F, that is why they usually have a CCA rating because more is better when it gets cold. Stack that against cold lubricant making it harder for the engine to turn over.

Also the more drained a battery is the more susceptible it is to freezing interanally. The more drained it is the freezing point rises. If the battery was weak to begin with, cold temps will especially create problems for it.
 
You may not run the truck far enough to keep the battery charged. I would use a hydrometer to check the specific gravity of each cell after you charge the battery. You can disconnect the battery's ground cable when not in use. Cold weather is hard on a battery. Since the battery is at 3 years old you may need to replace it. Hal
 

Keep a live memory.... Keep in mind if the bat voltage falls under 9V's its possible for the puter to shut down and a no start will accrue... Chrysler is the worst for this event... At 8V's it will go to sleep even if it seams the starter is cranking the engine enuff to start it...

Fully charge the bat and have it tested with a carbon Pile load tester that is capable of at least 500 amps... Unlike the newer electronic testers that were made so Billy Bob can do a wamm bamm guess... In the right hands a carbon Pile tester is deadly accurate...

http://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/battery-articles/battery-basics.html
 
Keith, There seems to be many posts about batteries this time of year. Some people say the summer heat damaged batteries. As a Kid I worked at a gas station. During the hottest part of the summer and the coldest part of the winter, we replaced many batteries.

There seems to be a common theme with many of the battery posts, IF I DON'T USE THE TRUCK FOR A LONG TIME, THE BATTERY IS DRAINED.

So I draw the following conclusion: Either there is something draining the battery or the battery is self discharging, getting old and on the last leg.

My advice to everyone is stop guessing on what's happening. Get a battery minder 12348 or something like it and get a battery conductivity tester to actually measure the CCA. I got both of mine off amazon, because they weren't sold locally. I have many batteries that sit over the winter. All those batteries have been removed and are sitting on workbench in barn, taking their turns on the battery minder. The rest of my batteries are close to a 120v outlet and they will be charged a few times over the winter. My battery minder never gets a rest.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Weird truck electrical issue
2
Replies
20
Views
1K
710ltd2002
710ltd2002
A
Chev Silverado experts - sometimes no cranking
2
Replies
20
Views
2K
larbear
L
E
63 4010 with low power issue , perhaps
2
Replies
22
Views
980
Eric_RCM
E
R
Another D14 story long..ish and a question about belt pulleys...
Replies
0
Views
228
rasman57
R
N
Battery polarity??
Replies
8
Views
2K
redforlife
R
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top