Hi, I have a Dodge Ram 1500. I drove the truck home about an hour. Then I went back out to go to the store. When I got in, the lights inside the cab came on temporarily signifying the battery was working...then when I turned the ignition everything went dead. Just clicking noises when I try. Then I jumped the truck off of my wifes car and let it run for a long time. I suppose that would mean the starter works fine...but once I turned my truck off again, it would not crank back up...just plain dead. I really don't think it is the battery, but I'm not a pro. Could this be the alternator? Any help is appreciated.
2006-11-08 13:21:24 · 17 answers · asked by Matt 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
most likely is battery if it ran fine. Could be alt also...most parts stores will check it for free.
2006-11-08 13:23:02 · answer #1 · answered by David B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey, you need a volt meter, with the truck not running, a battery should read over 12.5 volts.
If the battery tests good ( over 12.5) and the truck doesn't start, bring the battery to a garage and have it " load tested"
If your battery passes both tests and it wont start your truck, you have other problems.
Also, with a known good battery (12.5+) and the engine running, test the battery with your volt meter, you should be getting a reading of at least 13.4 volts at the battery, if you do not get the proper voltage back to the battery (13.4), that indicates a charging problem, possibly your alternator.
Other things to check, clean terminals, battery cables, starter motor, ignition switch etc.
Hope i was some help and didn't confuse you.:-0 Stu
2006-11-08 13:49:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turn on the headlights and have some one watch them when you try to start it-if they go out its ether a bad connection or the battery is not holding a charge{shot} but most times when a battery shorts out that fast it usually won't take a jump because the shorted out battery sucks all the elect. and wont let it go to starter unless you have a super duty jumper battery and cables.
Check the battery connections-both ends.
Sounds like when you jumped it you wiggled the battery terminals and it made a connection,than when you tried to start it again it lost connection again.
I do not think it is he starter or the battery because it started when you jumped it.
2006-11-08 13:53:55 · answer #3 · answered by Old man wrench 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldnt be so sure about the battery being OK.
The alternator is rated to replenish the battery charge, not to charge it from scratch. Your battery could be holding charge, but not delivering the required amps to start the vehicle. You can even overheat and damage your alternator while trying to recharge your battery only with the alternator.
Likewise, your alternator could be charging, but there is a number of reasons of it to be "barely" charging.
Most of the autostores provide battery and alternator testing for free. Easy, convenient and cheap. No easier way around it. If it failed, it will fail again.
2006-11-08 13:30:48 · answer #4 · answered by Wrenchmeister 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah sounds like an alternator, it should have charged the battery up when you let it run. you should also get the battery checked after it running dead like that it could now be bad. make sure to completely charge the battery before starting the truck up with the new alternator or you could destroy the new one also.
2006-11-08 13:27:02 · answer #5 · answered by whatup 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you go some where make sure the battery cables are on tight or that they do not have a lot of corrosion on them. If all check out fine I would go to an auto parts store, they will check the battery for free.
2006-11-08 13:29:45 · answer #6 · answered by lupe J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do have a gas decrease off swap which will decrease off the gas throughout an effect in spite of the undeniable fact that it ought to be a quite stable bang to make it kick and if it does the motor vehicle will nonetheless crank yet only won't get gas. If it won't crank it somewhat is not your difficulty. verify your battery and connections because of the fact the jolt would have jarred something unfastened. verify your door jambs to work out if there is extra suitable than one swap this is depressed via the door. One is for the dome easy and there could be one to maintain it from beginning while the door is ajar yet may be fairly unusual. the main factor i might recommend is to take off your kick panel on the realm you hit and notice if while the hinge bent returned it snarled something the place your computing gadget is placed. maximum vans have the computing gadget in the back of the kick panel and a stable lick there ought to truly knock something unfastened interior that could supply up the vehicle from beginning.
2016-10-21 12:28:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the truck runs fine once its started then alternator is probably working fine. Most any muffler shop can put a load test on your battery. That's my best guess
2006-11-08 13:38:30 · answer #8 · answered by boss2002_us 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It very well could be the battery. That happened to me before. It was a dead cell in the battery. Try replacing it, it's much cheaper to do that than replace the alternator!
2006-11-08 13:23:58 · answer #9 · answered by jadedgirl149 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Uh number 1 its a dodge ;) ha kidding all aside its your battery or alternator. Because if it just clicks it means its not getting enough power to the starter, more than likely the alternator.
2006-11-08 13:28:20 · answer #10 · answered by Cody F 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋