Vehicle is 1989 GMC Sierra. Vehicle does not turn on. Battery is jumped and it subsequently turns on. (no i did not leave the lights on). Generally the vehicle will start again 1-2 times after the jump, with decling degrees of success until the 3rd time or so it needs to be jumped again. Multimeter measurement of battery is at 12.5 volts between positive and negative. Minimal corrosion was deleted after troubleshooting, but this is not the problem. Battery 1 year old. Whats going on?
2006-09-12 09:25:50 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
What is the voltage while it is running?
If it is < 13 V the alternator is not doing the job anymore.
A fully functioning alternator should show a voltage of at least 13.5 V for a battery that is moderately discharged, and up to 14.5 V for a system in fully charged condition. Use these numbers as a guide. Also be sure that the serpentine belt is within correct tension range, and not cracked or glazed.
Good Luck
2006-09-12 09:37:53 · answer #1 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the battery, but here's a test you can do...connect the multimeter to the battery and check the voltage. While keeping the multimeter connected, have a friend sit in the cab and start the truck. If the voltage reading on the multimeter dips below 10 volts, the battery probably is the problem. Since the battery is only a year old, you problem may only be a dry cell in the battery. There should be two rectangular caps on the top of the battery. First, turn the truck off and disconnect the battery. Then, pry off the caps with a flat screwdriver. Then, look in the holes where the caps were covering. These holes are where the water and acid are stored. Check all of the holes to see if cells (usually brown or gray in color) are completely submerged in water. If any of the holes are dry or low in water, fill them with distilled water. Make sure you don't overfill them - just enough to cover the tops of the cells. Then replace the caps, connect the battery and try to start again. Of course, you may have to jumpstart again. Make sure you use only distilled water. Do not use spring or tap water.
How does the battery run out of water? Some battery manufacturers say their batteries are "Maintenance-Free". This can be taken with a grain of salt unless the battery is completely sealed - which usually isn't the case unless you paid $150+ for it (Optima, etc). Some batteries have a water drain spout in case they get overfilled with water. If you park on hills or anything with an incline, the water can drain out from the top. Also, If you tilt the battery significantly, water will also come out of the spout. Water can also leak out of the terminals if they're not properly sealed. The battery can also exhaust fumes when it gets hot (heavy charging and discharging).
The battery can quickly die out if you live in extremely hot climates and/or do a lot of stop and go city driving. The engine compartment builds up heat and doesn't dissipate it as well when the engine is sitting idling or driving at very slow speeds. Replacing a battery once every two years is commonplace here in Florida.
Another good test is what the previous person suggested. Start the truck and disconnect the battery. If the truck stays running, the alternator is not the problem. Don't let it run for very long without the battery being connected, though. The disconnected battery is considered an "open-circuit" and doesn't properly load the alternator.
2006-09-12 09:54:12 · answer #2 · answered by earlperson39 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 issues, gas, air, and spark. If the engine does not turn over on the starter, then you've a battery challenge with a ineffective battery. ineffective battery=no spark... ok, so cost the battery. make sure the connections are all vivid vivid sparkling and tight. Then, pour a tablespoon of gas down the carb throat and supply it a whirl. it is going to turn over and it is going to fireside on few cylinders from the gas vapor interior the intake manifold, with a bit of luck long sufficient to run the gas pump to get gas into the carb. If it does not proceed to run, try yet another table spoon of gas down the throat. you could ought to repeat various circumstances till gas gets from the tank to the carb. What you're able to do is disconnect the gas line from the carb and direct it right into a can. Pull the middle cord from the spark coil out of the distributor. do away with it thoroughly so there is not any loose end to make sparks. Then turn the engine over with the starter. no rely if that's a mechanical pump which i think of that's, after a whilst, it is going to commence pumping gas. Mechanical pumps are self priming in the event that they are actually not broken. no rely if that's an electric powered pump, all you pick do is turn on the ignition. you should hear the pump commence. pay attention for it. electric powered pumps additionally are self priming in the event that they are actually not otherwise broken. the main uncomplicated mode of failure is the rubber areas interior the pump, which cracks and develops an inner leak, so the pump action works, however the gas short circuits from the outlet back into the inlet for the time of the cracked rubber and it does zip. examine the ignition areas, factors, plugs, condenser. examine the distributor cap for cracks. The ignition won't paintings if there is fairly some airborne dirt and airborne dirt and dirt interior the works, isn't adjusted wisely or otherwise fails to make a spark. Get a instruction manual so which you recognize precisely a thank you to do a minor song up for factors, plugs and such. the comparable e book will inform you approximately timing, valve adjustment (if needed) and all the different belongings you should alter now and returned. I unquestionably have a 1968 Ford F-250, that's form of the comparable immediately as you have, factors, plugs and condenser, all mechanical ignition, no pc of any form everywhere. the main state-of-the-paintings ingredient on my truck is the smog administration that's composed of a PCV interior the line which connects a valve conceal breather to the carb...
2016-10-14 22:30:23 · answer #3 · answered by swindler 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had the same problem i have an 88 gmc sierra when your truck is started get your mulitmeter and check to see what it is at because what you are saying it has too little voltage to start you need about 14 volts to start and should be around 14 volts when your running. check your ground wire to see if it has a good ground if not you alternator is bad and is not recharging your battery hints why it wont start
2006-09-12 09:38:43 · answer #4 · answered by Steve R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i had an 88 chevy sierra and tho it had problems it was my baby.... check to see if you have a loose spark plug and maybe look at getting a new distributer cap. i have found that usually its all in the "connections" from one part to the next with old trucks. alsdo i always had to hold the gas pedal down when i started it, until i fixed the fuel pump. all of those are possibilities.
2006-09-12 09:47:42 · answer #5 · answered by jason K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get your car started and then while its running pull the positive off of the battery if it dies then your alternator is bad if not then it your battery otherwise go to autozone and have them put a battery meter on it and throw a load on it
2006-09-12 09:30:11 · answer #6 · answered by steve 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its either a bad battery or something is draining your battery
2006-09-12 09:53:15 · answer #7 · answered by dalmation60 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋