Well I own a 1998 5.2 4x4 ram. It sits infront of my house 345 days a year now since I bought my 06 but I still use it to play off road every now and then. It always started fine until it just started sitting longer and longer. For a while it would take a little bit to start, then it would shut off until the motor got all warmed up, now when I try to turn it over it just clicks and won't start. My question is, does it need to be jumped or is my starter out?

I would go just jump it but it is hard as it is parked at the corner of my neighbors driveway so when I jump it I will have to block his driveway for a few minutes. Any help would be great guys.

 

I'd think you just need a jump. How old is the battery? It might be worth just getting a new one is its a few years old, then you wouldnt have to block the neighbors driveway. Make sure all the connections are clean too.

 

Oh this truck has had a hard life, It has 120,000 on it and I'm pretty sure the stock battery. We bought the truck with around 20K on it so I don't know if the battery was replaced by the previous owner. I know I haven't haha. I will probably go buy a new battery though. The connections on thsi truck get nasty fast too, none of my other vehicles have other done that, let alone that fast.

 

You don't necessarily have to buy a new battery, charge it up and see if it holds a charge.

All batteries will discharge after sitting for awhile. Marine batteries are built to resist this to a degree but even they lose charge during long periods of sitting. The lead and acid reach an equilibruim after a time and theyneed areverse charge pushed thru them to "re-invigorate" them. Old batteries stop working as the lead poles in them break up due to vibrations. After a time they either can't hold a charge because too much lead has broken away from the poles (not enough surface area, I believe this is what gives you amperage), or they can't maintain voltage because too many poles themselves have broken (loss of voltage as individuals cells fail).

If you're going to buy a new battery, I'd recommend a Optima Yellow Top Heavy Duty Deep Cycle battery.

 

if its gonna be sitting there its good to go start it up every week or 2 and let it run for 10-15 min, the truck still draws power when it is shut off, after 20 days sitting the bat will usally be draned enough prevent it from starting, you can pull the IDO fuse and itll help the bat from dying (itll be the one in the fuse box with a black tab over it)

 

Yeah I used to start it every now and then but I got tied up with work and school and forgot about the truck. Then I needed it a few days ago and all I got when I turned the key was "CLICK" and no start. I may buy a deep cycle battery but I will probably just buy a normal battery, changle all the fluids and filters and start it for a few minutes every few days to let everything cycle.

So you guys just think it needs a new battery or a jump and not a new starter? I really hope it is just the battery.

Thanks for all the replies guys!

 

no reason to think its the starter. just the battery. if the battery is < 4-5-6 years old it will probably hold a charge for awhile, maybe a month. but at some point all batteries die and will not take, nor hold a charge.

you might try a solar powered trickle charger like this. it can sit inside the truck on the dash and plug into the cig lighter. $25 on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/12-Volt-Solar-Po...QQcmdZViewItem

 

i agree with everyone else. i have a brand new battery in my car. i drive my truck everyday but when i need the car (like yesterday to go to the parts store for the truck) i have to jump it. it sits for about 3-4 weeks at a time and the battery gets drained. i should alos be starting it every week or so, but just forget about the car until needed. been trying to remember to start it tho.

 

Thanks guys, I'll probably jump it but I'll also buy a new battery.

One of those solar chargers may work pretty well for me, I do live in a city that is sunny about 350 days a year.

 

Thanksfor the help guys. I hooked up the jumper cables when I got home from work and she fired right up, no hessitation. Feels good to have her running again.