Peppermint woes! What could it be?

[GaPchNCrm]

A few weeks ago I went out to go to work and my truck wouldn't crank. Acted like the battery was dead. Tried to jump it off and it just flat wouldn't crank. BJ cleaned the connections on the battery when he got home and it fired right up, he said the ground connection was bad on the passenger side. Well I noticed a couple of days ago that the truck was getting slower to crank, and yesterday made a mental note to mention it to BJ.... well, on my lunch break it refused to crank again. So a couple of guys from work got that connection tight ( BJ forgot about it what am I gonna do with him?) and it cranked up. I drove it down the road about 10 minutes away, after lunch it wouldn't crank again. 2 guys in the parking lot helped me this time, they tightened the connection again, and finaly had to jump it off. Got back to work and have no choice but to turn it off.... when I went to go home of course it won't crank again. BJ came and replaced the one bad connection, tried to jump it and it wouldn't jump off his car or one of the patrol cars, so one of the cops used her patrol car with a push bar to get him rolling and he jump started it that way. ( which I still don't understand how that works lol ) So! Get the truck home, he puts the battery charger on it and charges both batteries... it barely would crank this morning, but it did. Hes planning to replace all of the cables and connectors, and of course hes checking the batteries and alternator, but is there anything else he should look for? We were kinda baffled that he couldn't jump it off last night... and I drove it home ( about a 30 minute trip) and after turning it off, tried to crank it again and it would barely turn over.

Thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!

 

[hheynow]

Thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!

If BJ is still under warrenty...trade him in !

 

[Agnem]

Tanya, you should try to find out where the voltage is disappearing. Put a voltmeter on the batteries (directly on the terminals, not on the battery cable clamps, then crank. If the voltage stays up, you know you have a high resistance connection somewhere. If the voltage drops off, then you know the batteries are the problem. You can do this test on both sides of the starter solenoid as well to see if that is the weak spot. If you have good voltage at the starter, but it still doesn't crank, put the volt meter between the case of the alternator and the negative terminal of one of the batteries. You should NOT see any voltage here when you try to crank. If you do, you have a problem with the negative cables going to the engine block. Good luck! It should be a simple fix.

 

[Nickbf2504x4]

might want to do a voltage reglator while you are at it they are about $10 at autozone

 

[Dsl_Dog_Treat]

Ya what Mel said. ;p
If ya got an Autozone down there you can get a load tester for the batteries, just unhook the cables to separate them and give em a shot after charging them up first.
They could be spent except for the loosening connection.
If'n they pass the load test, might even be time as Nick said for a voltage regulator, as Goldie is showing signs of needing one now with the dim lights and all.


Or if'n all else fails, check BJ's warranty as hheynow has suggested.

 

[RKOCH]

I had this problem and it was the starter had a real high amp draw. replaced it and all was well.

 

[GaPchNCrm]

You are right, I think I need to trade BJ in... SO now I am looking for a younger model, must have strong mechanical skills, above average knowledge of the diesel engine, and own his own IDI. Please submit pictures of the IDI to [email protected].

We replaced 1 battery, and the cables, and she fires right up every time. SEE JONATHAN!!! When she tears up on me at least its easy!

 

[The Warden]

You are right, I think I need to trade BJ in... SO now I am looking for a younger model, must have strong mechanical skills, above average knowledge of the diesel engine, and own his own IDI. Please submit pictures of the IDI to [email protected].

How young is "young"? :Sly

 

[GaPchNCrm]

How young is "young"? :Sly

hes a 65 model.... hee hee

 

[towcat]

I think we need to change the forum heading to "IDI diesels and dating service....mechanically inclined individuals inquire within"

 

[Freight_Train]

You are right, I think I need to trade BJ in... SO now I am looking for a younger model, must have strong mechanical skills, above average knowledge of the diesel engine, and own his own IDI. Please submit pictures of the IDI to [email protected].

We replaced 1 battery, and the cables, and she fires right up every time. SEE JONATHAN!!! When she tears up on me at least its easy!

Oh yea,Well,it took me 5 years to tear mine up! A popular accronym about F.O.R.D. comes to mind.......

 

[Agnem]

hes a 65 model.... hee hee

Damn! That rules me out. Seems I'm getting older than everybody these days.

 

[hheynow]

hes a 65 model.... hee hee

So he's 65 years old? Check his warranty

 

[The Warden]

hes a 65 model.... hee hee

Hmm...is an '81 model too far the other way?

A popular accronym about F.O.R.D. comes to mind.......

I hear that...seems like, often as not when I'm workin on my truck, I find myself humming "Lord Mr. Ford" (Jerry Reed is about the only C&W performer I can tolerate)...

 

[Freight_Train]

hes a 65 model.... hee hee

Well,Im a Late 78 model........but mechanicaly and Physically I am in worst shape than my trucks......