1st Gen Dakota Tech 1987 - 1996 Dodge Dakota Tech - The ultimate forum for technical help on the 1st Gen Dakota.

Dead battery?????

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 23, 2013 | 12:54 PM
  #1  
onemore94dak's Avatar
onemore94dak
Thread Starter
|
Champion
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 153
Default Dead battery?????

It was fine when I parked it never had any signs of an issue. It seems like I left the inside light on and there was no indication of any power at all. When I tried to jump it yesterday it tried to turn over but the jumper did not have enough juice as I had jumped a neighbor earlier in the day. I even left the jumper hooked up for a half hour and tried again.
This morning with the charged up jumper and an overnight freeze there was nothing not one sign of juice.

I realize I probably need a new battery. I want to know if there is some other issue I should be looking for.

Edit
I thought of it after posting. I used the battery from my other rig to start it and then placed the dead battery back in. It idling now (a bit high at 1300) but I think that it ran without the battery in precludes any problems other than a battery being run until it was completely dead. From what I know that means you have to replace it unless you have the right kind of deep cycle battery. Deep Cycle according to the guy at Interstate means it can be run out and recharged, non deep cycle batteries can't. They will be unreliable after being run totally out.
Edit
Drove it a mile or so came home with it still idling at 1300. Shut it down and it restarted right away and idled at 1100. Still high but better.
 

Last edited by onemore94dak; Nov 23, 2013 at 01:43 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2013 | 03:05 PM
  #2  
Brian in Tucson's Avatar
Brian in Tucson
All Star
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
From: Eastside Tucson AZ
Default

If you have an OBD1 or OBD2 truck, in all this messing with batteries you reset the PCM, which may be why you're truck is idling high.

Let it sit overnight and then try to start it. If it starts, you probably just ran down the battery. If it doesn't start, it's not holding a charge and you need to find another battery.

When my battery died this past summer (they often do that) I replaced it with one of the deep cycle Walmart batteries I have laying around here. Been about 4 months and not even a hiccup.

If your battery has gone bad, don't overthink it tho. Just get a good replacement one that's correct for your vehicle. I've had decent results with Walmarts, btw.
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2013 | 04:24 PM
  #3  
onemore94dak's Avatar
onemore94dak
Thread Starter
|
Champion
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 153
Default

Thanks. It seems to be OK. I did my errands and it started fine. I expect this battery is ok for now. I'll get it checked on monday.
Edit
To be clear the dead battery took a charge and held it.
 

Last edited by onemore94dak; Nov 24, 2013 at 01:16 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2013 | 08:16 PM
  #4  
Tom A's Avatar
Tom A
Section Moderator
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 9
From: Concord, CA
Default

If it didn't even do anything with the jumper connected, it may have been your battery connection, rather than the battery itself, that was bad. By changing the battery, you moved the terminals and "fixed" the problem.

Also, it's a bad idea to disconnect the battery on a computer-controlled vehicle with the engine running. It can cause voltage spikes and damage electronics. It's one of those things that you might get away with a hundred times, but then one time it bites you in the butt.
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 07:31 AM
  #5  
shadowthedakota's Avatar
shadowthedakota
Record Breaker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 1
From: Appleton, WI
Default

I agree with tom a. check the connections for looseness and corrosion. then when that clears the test the battery. if thats ok then check the starter solenoid(speaking from experience and being the first roblem this forum helped me with)
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 11:16 AM
  #6  
onemore94dak's Avatar
onemore94dak
Thread Starter
|
Champion
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 153
Default

It died because I left the interior light on for over 24 hours and it froze that night. Once it was running that battery took a charge and started the vehicle multiple times. I'll keep the other parts in mind.
I plan on having it tested today.
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2013 | 05:14 PM
  #7  
onemore94dak's Avatar
onemore94dak
Thread Starter
|
Champion
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 153
Default

I had the battery and alternator checked at Interstate Batteries. They told me the Alternator in the PCM was fine and the battery only had 300+ starting amps instead of the 600 minimum recommended by the OEM.
I did not buy there as the prices were too high. I ended up with a 785 cranking amps 3yr free replacement 100 month warranty at Knecht's battery for $94.99. I simply took mine out and put theirs in at the store so no core charge. They even loaned me a cleaner to make sure the connections were good.
I think this problem, I caused myself by leaving internal light on is solved. The battery was already bad it only got highlighted by my mistake.
 

Last edited by onemore94dak; Dec 3, 2013 at 01:03 PM.
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:03 PM.