Thank you Atcer2018I feel your pain brother. Dad passed in 96 and mom in 2020. I miss them but they are in a better place.
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Thank you Atcer2018I feel your pain brother. Dad passed in 96 and mom in 2020. I miss them but they are in a better place.
Since no one mentioned it I will add that a three year old factory battery is likely on its way out. Four years would be unlikely unless trickle charged. Good premium after market batteries are better that factory. The parts store battery/load checks are suspect unless the battery is obviously toast. I recently went thru this with a battery that had a failing cell. The load check did not detect it and I suspect it's because they cannot put the kind of load as an actual engine start. The OP can take a chance on the battery by charging it repeatedly but the result is going to be the same. It will leave you stranded somewhere when you most need it. It failed and there was a reason for that.
If the OP can check starting voltage at home when starting cold, it should show no more that a 2.5 volt drop. Anything below 10 volts usually means trouble even if it shows 12.5 before the start. That is how I determined my most recent problem was the battery. It dropped to 6-7 volts starting. Or in my case not starting. But checked okay on a parts store load test. It was under warranty so I had to argue the point and finally won.
And make sure you DO get an AGM battery.
I'd put a meter on your system while running and see what your alternator is putting out, too.
Perhaps also consider going to an H8 AGM battery as an upgrade as well. Odyssey has theirs and it's 950cca vs the stock 730cca liquid filled.
Optima is also another consideration as well for their AGM battery upgrades.
I had a dead battery on my 3 year old truck, had it checked @ the dealership, then a farm store where I usually by batteries. The dealership was actually cheaper. Put the battery in but kept my "old battery". Time goes by I charged the "old battery" mostly to jump my Super Bee, well it stated the car after some cranking. I'm confused but could always use an extra battery anyway.
Make sure theres not a parasitic draw somewhere. I had a dash cam that failed in that regard, and drained the battery. Jumpstarted ok, then dead again a few days later which was when I found that the dash cam was draining the battery. It would not jumpstart a second time, and I purchased a battery and new camera. Its a ‘21 3500 Tradesman. Do not drive this truck every day.Hello,
I know there are similar problems to mine that I have read on this forum, but I still need some feedback. I went out to leave for work in my 2021 RAM 1500 with 22,000 miles and the battery was dead. I put the battery charger on it for about 6 hours and it didn't charge a bit. I jumped and it started, but the check engine light came on and the error "Service Electronic Stability Control" message was displayed. From what I read on the forum, I needed a new battery. I didn't have time to go get a battery yet.
Two days later... (haven't driven the truck). Battery is completely dead. Jump it. Go to Autozone to get a new battery. They test the battery and said the battery is fine -- it passed all the tests. Do I believe their tests or go ahead and get a battery?
Called the dealer. They want $325 electronics test to look at my truck.
My wife drove the truck around town time. It started up every time. She just ran to Lowes for me and said the check engine light is off.
I don't want to get stuck some where so if I need a new battery I would like to get it overwith and buy it.
Thanks,
Jay
Make sure theres not a parasitic draw somewhere. I had a dash cam that failed in that regard, and drained the battery. Jumpstarted ok, then dead again a few days later which was when I found that the dash cam was draining the battery. It would not jumpstart a second time, and I purchased a battery and new camera. Its a ‘21 3500 Tradesman. I do not drive this truck every day.
Dean!
Most of the folks here live in the excited states and don't have prices like we do. The toaster-style battery load tester is about $20 at Harbour Freight and I'd bet WallyWorld sells a multimeter for $10 or less. LOL
100 Amp, 6/12V Battery Load Tester
Amazing deals on this 100 Amp 6/12V Battery Load Tester at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.www.harborfreight.com
I can attest confidently that the HF load tester is junk. Others for a little more $ seem to last longer.
^^^^^^
This is what I'm talking about, troubleshoot and analyze before spending any money. This usually saves money in the long run and teaches you how things work.
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I can attest confidently that the HF load tester is junk. Others for a little more $ seem to last longer.
I have the $20 Harbor Freight battery tester but I have
not yet used it.
I learned years ago that Harbor Freight is a great place to save money when you need a tool that you won't use often. My garage and home are filled with tools of all sorts that have only been used a couple times in 20 years or more.
I'm retired now, but if I worked in any trade that required reliable tools that I used frequently I would not waste any time at Harbor Freight.
I have saved a crazy amount of money buying things that I may only use a couple times. Sort of like Sears Craftsman but even cheaper.