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Confusing starting problem

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Gears, Jun 13, 2011.

Page 1 of 5
  1. Jun 13, 2011 #1
    Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    This is the weirdest thing....
    Go to start my truck and it sounds like the batteries don't have enough juice to start it and then click...click click.

    I checked the batteries, they're fine. I took apart and cleaned all the terminals today, put dielectric on them and reassembled.

    Batteries were on a charger and it started fine. I shut it off and ran the APU to charge the batteries. Let it run for a couple hours. Go to start the truck....nothing, just the same as described above.

    I don't have a clue what's going on, but it appears I don't shut off the truck or it won't restart.

    Any ideas?
     
    Gears, Jun 13, 2011
    Gears, Jun 13, 2011
    #1
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  3. Jun 13, 2011 #2
    end of the road

    end of the road Heavy Load Member

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    Starter maybe?
     
    end of the road, Jun 13, 2011
    end of the road, Jun 13, 2011
    #2
    Gears Thanks this.
  4. Jun 13, 2011 #3
    black_dog106

    black_dog106 Road Train Member

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    How old are the batteries? :biggrin_25514:
     
    black_dog106, Jun 13, 2011
    black_dog106, Jun 13, 2011
    #3
    Gears Thanks this.
  5. Jun 13, 2011 #4
    Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    Batteries are dated 12-09.
     
    Gears, Jun 13, 2011
    Gears, Jun 13, 2011
    #4
  7. Jun 13, 2011 #5
    canuck in da truck

    canuck in da truck Road Train Member

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    did you load check the batteries?
    its really the only way to check a battery
     
    canuck in da truck, Jun 13, 2011
    canuck in da truck, Jun 13, 2011
    #5
    Gears Thanks this.
  8. Jun 13, 2011 #6
    Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    Just tested them with a auto-battery tester.
     
    Gears, Jun 13, 2011
    Gears, Jun 13, 2011
    #6
  9. Jun 13, 2011 #7
    Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    A guy should get better than 2-1/2 years on batteries, shouldn't he?
     
    Gears, Jun 13, 2011
    Gears, Jun 13, 2011
    #7
  10. Jun 13, 2011 #8
    Semi Crazy

    Semi Crazy Road Train Member

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    Most drivers get confused when it comes to turning the truck OFF!
     
    Semi Crazy, Jun 13, 2011
    Semi Crazy, Jun 13, 2011
    #8
    Gears Thanks this.
  11. Jun 13, 2011 #9
    Rerun8963

    Rerun8963 Road Train Member

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    disconnect the battery as not to make any sparks.

    locate the starter. remove the starter cable and clean it just like you did the cables..also clean the starter terminal(s).

    when i was in the garage business, the starter was always suspect, but no one thinks to clean that cable. just two months ago, as an example, my sisters car would not start, all the same "symptoms" of a bad battery...

    well i removed/cleaned the starter cable...?? and BAM...starts right up...

    the starter is as exposed to the elements like many other things, and no one thinks to clean the cable, at the starter itself.

    use a wire brush and/or emery paper if you have to, get it all shiny.
     
    Rerun8963, Jun 13, 2011
    Rerun8963, Jun 13, 2011
    #9
    bullhaulerswife, rjones56 and Gears Thank this.
  12. Jun 13, 2011 #10
    canuck in da truck

    canuck in da truck Road Train Member

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    does that tester put a load on?
    some little auto testers do--not great but the will give you an idea
    2 1/2 years --isnt great--but iirc we used to look at anything over 2 years as a bonus
     
    canuck in da truck, Jun 13, 2011
    canuck in da truck, Jun 13, 2011
    #10
    Gears Thanks this.
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