Battery? Alternator?

[Zackadeez]

Ok so it's my 02. Some back story. Bout 6 weeks ago my battery died when I left it on charging my phone. Jumped it, all was well. Fast forward to couple weeks ago. I was installing HIDs and left the lights on while testing adjusting for about 10-20 minutes. Battery died. Jumped and all was well, or so I thought. Was taking more cranks than usual to start.

I remembered I had a meter so I ran some tests 12.11 volts and. 9.9 cranking. I decided to alternate days arming the alarm over night. Crude test of just counting cranks says it took more when the alarm was armed.

I had it charged for a few hours this past week to get it up to 12.3 and over 10 cranking. Today I checked again and it was down to 11.9 but 9.9 cranking. I checked while running and it was 14.2 but with my headlights on it dipped to 14.1. That concerned me since almost all my driving is before and after the sun is up and perhaps the battery isn't charging?

Basically I'm just wondering if the battery is ping bad that it won't hold a charge or if it's not getting enough charge from the alternator.

 

[Buckaroo]

Sounds like the battery is bad. Take it to an auto store (i.e. Advance Auto or equivalent) and have them test it. They can also test charging system. Battery should be holding 12.6v and cell phone charge should not cause it to discharge w/ engine off. With engine running, should get 13.5 - 14.5v at the terminals if charging system is ok - likely is.....

Good Luck

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Once a battery goes dead its never the same again.

14.1 is good.

 

[shootmymime]

Sounds like the battery is bad. cell phone charge should not cause it to discharge w/ engine off. With engine running, should get 13.5 - 14.5v at the terminals if charging system is ok - likely is.....

Good Luck

i agree.
batt sounds like its got a dead cell. check to see if your putting out the 13ish-14V when its running. that will rule out the alternator.

i bet its a bad cell.

 

[Zackadeez]

Yea when running I'm putting out 14.1-14.2 at the terminals

 

[kball]

Batteries don't like to be deep cycled and you have done that twice now. If you can open the ports on top and check the water level I'd start there and if it needs it add distilled water. If you can't open it or the level is fine I'd say it's time for a new battery.

 

[Zackadeez]

ok, new battery today but still takes about 3 seconds before turning over. Guess its the starter? I hope the battery was bad too so I don't feel like I wasted money when it wasn't needed.

 

[kball]

3 seconds before starting? Or before cranking? What do you mean by turning over? I think 2-3 seconds of cranking before starting is kind of normal for these trucks.

 

[Zackadeez]

Turn the key, count 3-1 thousands, truck starts. I'm just concerned because I don't remember it taking that long before

 

[kernel.panik]

How many cold cranking amps in the new battery? I'll bet it's cold in NY, your oil may be causing a bit of resistance when starting. Just a thought.

 

[Zackadeez]

750 cca