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chris
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2005
11:44:45
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 Subject: Battery problems????
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Message:
I have a 97 V6 Dakota and I have an issue with something right now. If I do not turn the truck on for a day or to when I go to start it I don't get anything, the truck doesn't turn over or even crank, the battery is just dead. Each time I have to jump the truck to get it going. I have to turn the truck over at least once a day or this happens. The lights are good, I leave nothing on to drain the battery when it is off, any ideas on what could be pulling the juice from my battery when it sits for over a day or 2????????
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duck
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2005
13:01:45
|  RE: Battery problems????
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OK -in general stock batteries are good for 5 years under ideal conditions. your getting about 8 to 9 years on your truck and even if you are on your second battery you are getting close.
If this is a new battery you might be shorted at the alternator or the alternator/harnesses/voltage regulator are getting corroded, shorted, loosened, or dead. So clean up all the cables and ends. get a voltmeter and check the charging system. check connectors, load test the alternator and inspect anything electrical for abrasions, green crud (corrosion of copper conductor)loose connections or bad crimps.
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RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2005
13:07:05
| RE: Battery problems????
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I'd have the battery tested. One shorted cell
will kill it in a hurry.
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Figols
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2005
13:59:13
| RE: Battery problems????
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If your truck runs fine once it's jump started then your charging system is probably ok. If it wasn't charging then your truck won't run with a dead battery. I would just replace the battery if it is more than a couple of years old, but if you really want to be sure.....bench charge the battery. See if it holds the charge while not connected to anything. This will eliminate the possibility that you have a short in your electrical system. OR....take the battery to an auto parts store and have them charge it then test it with a load. This will definitly determind if your battery is 100%. The key is for them to test it under load.
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2005
14:06:47
| RE: Battery problems????
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it is a new battery though. just bought it a couple of months ago. I am going to check the alternator and connections again, thanks for the help.
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2005
14:11:44
| RE: Battery problems????
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what RadioMan said. a dead or weak cell in the battery will die quickly if it's not charged everyday by the alt.
man, i know i am on borrowed time. my '00 still has the orig equip battery. still works great though.
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pitadak
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2005
14:57:42
| RE: Battery problems????
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You might also want to do a voltage draw test on your truck.
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2005
19:04:58
| RE: Battery problems????
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Actually, a *current* draw test. There may be a bad short pulling the battery down. Put a multimeter with a 10 amp range in series between the negative clamp and the negative post and measure. If a low reading, switch to a lower range until you can get an accurate reading. About 20 mA is normal.
The Gen II trucks with tachometer have a design flaw in the tachometer board. It's made to draw 105 mA by design, so it will pull the battery down to about 11 volts in a few days. In two weeks it won't even start. But this sounds like either a bad battery or a bigger short.
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