2009 Dodge ram sport 4 x 4 15.7 hemi. Bad battery about a month ago borrowed a battery From another car started noticing that the truck was hard cranking over yesterday. Started at home but slow then went to Walmart to buy a new battery. Wouldn’t start this morning when I bought the new battery replaced in the parking lot still hard starting got to work won’t start back up brand new battery I’m thinking the alternator took a crap and it’s not charging the system and the new battery just has a little charge anyone else have any other opinions? Could the starter be bad? From my experience starters are either good or bad there’s no in between.
Won’t start.
- Thread starter wvfd114
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crackerjack1957
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Voltmeter should read around 14 volts if alternator is charging correctly.
jws123
Senior Member
Your first mistake is buying a battery at walmart have it tested they sit on the shelf just because its new doesn't mean its good.
if you can get it to run again use volt meter to see if you have 14 or so volts when running.
Wild one
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If you have no volt meter handy,a key chain that's magnetic will be attracted to the back center bearing of the alternator.An alternator creates a magnetic field at the back bearing if it's charging,it's only a substitute if you don't have a volt meter handy,the meter is your better option,but not everybody has a meter with them in a parking lot,but most will have a magnetic key chain.
JohnnyMac
There are no stupid questions, just stupid people.
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Turn the key on but don't start. Note where the alternator needle is. Start the truck and if the needle is in the same place, you probably have a bad alternator. Most big name auto parts stores will check it for you. Some will require you to remove it, but many will just put a meter on it and check like the guys above suggested. Running should be +/- 14.2 VDC and not running should be +/- 12.8 VDC. Starter could definitely also be weak. If a couple windings on the armature have fused together, it will reduce the power quite a bit. If you crank it over and it just slowly turns, quickly check the batter + lead. If the starter is struggling, it will usually make the positive lead super hot because it's drawing way too much current.
You can charge the battery up and if it starts and runs, then that is also an indicator that the alternator is bad. One thing to check is whether the battery has any electrolyte/acid in it. I bought a battery at Wal-mart once and it was only about half full. Please let us know what you find.
You can charge the battery up and if it starts and runs, then that is also an indicator that the alternator is bad. One thing to check is whether the battery has any electrolyte/acid in it. I bought a battery at Wal-mart once and it was only about half full. Please let us know what you find.
