Hi All,

I drove the 2000 Durango 5.9 about 340 miles round trip this weekend without issue. This morning I was going to the store just down the street. When I tired to turn over it made a sound but did not start then when I turned the key off and on it started right up. So I went ahead and went to the store. When I turned the the truck off at the store I thought I heard a funny noise so I tried to kick it back over and nothing. It would not do anything any the gauges would not light up. When I opened the door I heard light a light honking sound from the passenger side very strange. Under the hood I found the negative battery cable was not tight. I wiggled it a few times then I could completely take it off the terminal. I put it back on and noticed the light on under the hood but not enough power to start. So I called a buddy to come over with some tools. I tried to tighten the cable but still nothing. So then we tried to jump it but his car battery was not large enough even after a while we got a little more power you could see the gauges but not enough to start. So I went down the road a bought a new battery and connector for the negative side since it would not tighten enough. Once I placed the batter in it startup.

Sorry for the long summary above. My question is do you thin I have another issue. when running it shows 14 volts so I assume the alternator is working. How can I be sure. Is there something else I can check?

Thanks,
Joe

 

Just a guess, I would have to assume the battery itself may have gone bad. I replaced my OEM battery with a walmart top of line (3yr replacement) around 2004. Since then, it seems to never fail, but the walmart top of line battery never makes it to the 3 year replacement limit. I am on Walmart battery #3. Seems like I have to change the walmart battery every 2-2.5 years. But I don't mind, so far, the battery changeout is like a lifetime free replacement as the battery dies out before its 3yr free replacement is burned up. With new battery, the 3 year warranty starts over again.

 

Duralast Gold Series batteries is where it's at! 8 year warranty!

Replace the battery and cables.

 

Loose connections can and will cause battery failure, our D's need everything a battery can store so make sure when you buy a new battery to correctly tighten the terminals and then seal them with anti-corrosion spray availible at any parts store. If the terminals are iffy (or butchered) dont re-use them, replace them.....

 

Duranged is correct. Arching can and will cause a battery failure.

 

I left my keys in the ignition overnight as I was listening to the radio while waxing the Durango. Completely drained the battery as it took the tow truck driver to run his battery in series with a portable jumper to start mine. He said that he never hasd to do that as the potable jumper is usually sufficient. Now mine is a 5.7L, but the stock battery is underpowered,
FF

 

I ended up with a O'Reilly batter with a 7 year P/R warranty and 2year replacement warranty. New connector so it is tight on the terminal now. I started it today an ran it a bit without issue. Also turned everything and watch amp gauge stay at 13.5/14. with just the key on and motor off it was 12.

 

Sounds good.