No Start, Just looking for some Info

[cableguy_hd]

Not to high jack another thread I just started this one. Just got home from Talladega on Monday, truck did fine. Drove to and from work yesterday, put camper up in backyard. no issues. Went to start to go to work and nothing, 45* F, did the preheat and it acting like it was gonna turn over for a millisecond and nothing. Tried again, nothing. Got the fuel filter service notice on dash. Volt meter has both at 12.5, when my son hits the button, they both go to 10.8. I tried again at lunch once it warmed up and same thing. I went and got 2 new batteries, Advanced Auto guy gave me a good price on them but looking under the hood is a little intimidating for me. I dont want to F anything up. All I hear about these damn computers and not frying them. I went and talked to the local mechanic thats been doing some work for me ( filter changes ) he seems to think 10.8 should turn it over. It doesn't click or anything, it acts like it wants to start but then stops. I dont want to tow it to him if its something other than the batteries ( still under mfg powertrain warranty and I have a third party warranty for anything else ) but dont want to tow to dealer if it is cause I figure they wont put in the ones I bought. 2020 CTD Tradesman put in service 4-20 I got it 7-22 42k on odometer. Thoughts and opinions??

 

[Dean2]

If the new batteries pull down to 10.8 when you hit start my bet is you have an issue with your starter. It is drawing excess amps and volts. Could be solenoid or the starter it self. I would jump the solenoid and see if it cranks. If it won't, likely starter is pooched. If it does crank it is the solenoid likely.

 

[cableguy_hd]

the og batteries are going down to 10.8

 

[Dean2]

Yes, I got that. The question is what are the new ones doing since they aren't starting it either. You can't fix this sitting in front of the computer, you actually have to check some stuff. That "stuff" is what I was trying to help out with.

 

[cableguy_hd]

no I havent installed the new ones yet, wasnt sure if there was tip or sequence in the disconnect or reconnect, I didnt want to fry anything.

 

[Slinge]

I would fully charge the batteries before install.

 

[2003F350]

Put the new batteries in. If you're worried about it unhook both, replace both, hook both back up. The chances of you hurting anything are slim to none as long as you hook them back up properly.

Then see what happens - if things go back to happy you're good, if not I do agree that it sounds like a starter issue. On these trucks today, voltage dropping to 10.8 likely won't crank the truck over.

If your 'third party' warranty isn't through Mopar, it is likely not worth the paper it's written on. The vast majority of third-party warranties don't cover much, if anything at all. The Mopar extended warranties are, depending on the level of coverage you pay for, pretty decent and actually cover things. Not sure they'd cover batteries but if anything DID fry due to putting in new batteries it would cover it. It would also cover a failing starter.

 

[Dean2]

no I havent installed the new ones yet, wasnt sure if there was tip or sequence in the disconnect or reconnect, I didnt want to fry anything.

If you a really particular, disconnect the negative terminals on both batteries first, then positive. When you hook them up, positive fist on both batteries, then the negative cables. Not a big deal if it is done the other way round, pretty hard to mess anything up unless you put the wrong cables on the battery posts, as in negative cable on positive post. Usually the cables aren't long enough to do that easily anyhow. On top of that the cables are color coded, red for positive, black for negative, and the post sizes are different. Best of luck.

 

[JayLeonard]

If you read my post “bad timing for dead batteries” you’ll see mine also failed suddenly with no warning.

 

[Wild one]

How to Disconnect and Connect a Car Battery

Let's review how to disconnect and connect your vehicle's battery safely as well as other considerations to remember before tackling this important job.

www.jiffylube.com

 

[Barr2255]

Not to high jack another thread I just started this one. Just got home from Talladega on Monday, truck did fine. Drove to and from work yesterday, put camper up in backyard. no issues. Went to start to go to work and nothing, 45* F, did the preheat and it acting like it was gonna turn over for a millisecond and nothing. Tried again, nothing. Got the fuel filter service notice on dash. Volt meter has both at 12.5, when my son hits the button, they both go to 10.8. I tried again at lunch once it warmed up and same thing. I went and got 2 new batteries, Advanced Auto guy gave me a good price on them but looking under the hood is a little intimidating for me. I dont want to F anything up. All I hear about these damn computers and not frying them. I went and talked to the local mechanic thats been doing some work for me ( filter changes ) he seems to think 10.8 should turn it over. It doesn't click or anything, it acts like it wants to start but then stops. I dont want to tow it to him if its something other than the batteries ( still under mfg powertrain warranty and I have a third party warranty for anything else ) but dont want to tow to dealer if it is cause I figure they wont put in the ones I bought. 2020 CTD Tradesman put in service 4-20 I got it 7-22 42k on odometer. Thoughts and opinions??

Don’t worry about putting new batteries in, you won’t screw it up. Follow what the guys on here said about disconnecting and reconnecting. If the new batteries don’t fix the issue then the starter probably took a crap. It doesn't sound like your super mechanically inclined which is totally fine and I commend you for posting your issue and attempting to DIY. Also for what it’s worth a battery that measures fine volts wise but drops to 10.8 volts when trying to start is a battery that won’t pass a load test. My bet is the batteries. 10.8 volts wouldn’t start a riding lawn mower.

With that said if the new batteries don’t fix it and you don’t want to tackle replacing a starter or trying to diagnose it then I suggest you put the old batteries back in and take it in for warranty work. Maybe 1 or both of your warranties would cover stater replacement.

If you want to tackle the starter on your own if it comes to that we can walk you through it. It’s pretty easy if you have some basic tools.

 

[GPx0]

If you read my post “bad timing for dead batteries” you’ll see mine also failed suddenly with no warning.

Batteries tend to fail in the fall. Because ....
Battery capacity drops with age and battery capacity drops with temperature. So a battery that's getting old will get you through the summer in warm temps, but the first cold bite in fall kills it.
I don't recall exact numbers, but at battery at 32F has something like 25% of it's capacity at 80F. So a battery that's just getting you by in summer gives up the ghost at that first cold spell in fall.

 

[cableguy_hd]

After sitting at the dealer for a week they contacted me today and the issue was a loose connection at or going to the starter.
Batteries and charging system checked out ok. A FB group I'm on a member said it seemed to be a common issue. I will keep the new batteries and have them installed once I get the truck back on Monday.