I have a 07 dodge ram hemi, 4X4. It was cold this morning (5 degrees F) putting more strain on the original battery. My question is will a weak battery make the starter no want to disengage? It doesn't grind, but you can hear the starter speed pick up and kind of whine when the motor takes off. I've tested the battery, and its just barely in the "good" when a load is put on it. please advise. new battery needed, or should I go till it shells out, don't want to spend $100 if I don't have to. Also this only happens when it is very cold (for kansas anyway) and it is someone predictable, meaning it happens all the time when it is cold and the pickup has sit overnight.

 

If it's "just barely in the good", then you know it's on the way out. But I would let it ride until the end of summer before replacing it.

 

No a battery won't cause a start to not disengage. Are you sure thats whats going on? The gear on the starter is (I forget the exact name) Free spin with the engine, However, I wouldn't let it sit that way for long as it will burn up the bearings in the gear.

Your problem Could be a few things. Short to ground at the solenoid is the most likely cause of a start engagement issue. Before you do anything, Get under there and tap the starter with a hammer, Might just have gotten some dirt or ice build up in there.

 

i don't think your battery has any problems. being super cold out AND having your heater on while cranking the truck over both puts alot of stress on the battery.
BUT, that has nothing to do with a starter that keeps on churning as already stated. If the starter is on wind down and the bendix has disengaged without grinding i'd have to say it's within your ignition cylinder.
I know with my '08 if i turn the key super quick, the truck follows through completely with winding the starter all by itself without the need for me to keep the key in the cranked position.
This is because the ecu sends a dedicated signal to the starter for a certain amount of time. Maybe it's possible that the issue could be within your ignition cylinder switch when it's really cold out???

HERE's a good read for battery testing.


AND Frog, running your vehicle with a not-so-good battery makes your alternator work hard IF the battery isn't accepting a charge. Running your battery low ALSO puts alot of stress on the starter as well. I'd def make sure the battery is good, but i think it is anyways.

 

hmm.....Dirtydog you have a point. It is also possible, that it is a techical error on my part. I have always owned older vehicles that I needed to crank a bit to get them to start. It may be possible that I am holding the key to start a bit to long. Hell I don't know, but I just tested my battery again, it seems to be a bit lower than last week. Doing to buy a yellow top duralast to ease my mind. i think....

 

Well, go out and try it. Turn the key real quick and let off. it should keep cranking until it starts.
As for the Yellowtop, if you have an AdvanceAuto nearby, they have their 8yr 850cca (1000ca) with 165min reserve capacity. More reserve capacity than most of the Yellowtops out there AND for $50 less. HERE not to mention the unheard of 8yr warranty.
Just make sure you keep an eye on the reserve capacity with the yellowtops although, they are generally beefier than comparable redtops, I'd still make sure you are getting a descent amount of RESERVE capacity. most guys walk in and are only worried about CCA's and forget completely about reserve. High reserve is great for leaving your lights on, listening to your radio....without your truck running.

 

good call. thanks for the help, that actually is the exact battery I was looking at. Hopefully they have one in stock. not bad for $105.

 

It's called tip-start. On the Hemi you just bump the start position and the pcm will crank it until it fires. I got so used to it, that I do that in the wifes caliber and my Grand Caravan and they don't crank

 

Never had that before, I tried it this morning. I still think the battery is a little weak, it doesn't crank it as strong as I think it should but I didn't hear the starter this morning. Think it was probably me cranking to long out of habit, just showed up in cold weather. Probably time for a new battery but it might make it through the summer. thanks all.