Mechanical/Electrical issue

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by RedRover, Aug 29, 2017.

  1. RedRover

    RedRover Road Train Member

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    The other day going down Cabbage I hit a pretty good size gator in the road. Couldn't avoid it and I was loaded way too heavy to slow down in time to mitigate any damage. Hit it really hard.

    Within a few hours I noticed a nasty rotten egg, sulphuric smell. My understanding is that would be the batteries. I just let it go until I had time to get to a terminal shop because whatever the hell is wrong, I'd rather it be a couple hundred dollar problem than a thousand plus problem.

    Well, it's a thousand plus problem now. Last night in Palm Springs, I stopped to fuel and it had trouble turning over. Clicking and attempting to start but wouldn't. Eventually got it to turn over and drove on down to road to AZ where fuel is reasonable by comparison and parked for the night(still idling obviously).

    Woke up today and pulled into the fuel island to go drop my load in Phoenix and grab my next one, then head to our terminal and get it looked at. Out of habit, I shut the truck off to fuel. And now it definitely won't restart.

    It's reading at about 13 on the voltmeter. Turning off and unplugging everything doesn't seem to help. Don't know if a jump start to get me moving will be a permanent or even possible solution.

    Any ideas what exactly could be wrong?

    Sooooooooo...
     
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  3. RedRover

    RedRover Road Train Member

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    Btw... people are as excited about me blocking the fuel island as you would imagine they are. I set triangles out behind me and they still keep sitting behind my truck and honking... which I'm watching from in the cool AC of the Flying J.
     
  4. nasriza

    nasriza Road Train Member

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    check to see if the cables going from batteries to starter are damaged or loose. did you replace the batteries if not that is your starting point.
     
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  5. Turtles

    Turtles Light Load Member

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    You have at least one bad cell in one of your batteries. The jarring broke the plate loose internally.

    Get out of the truck and disconnect and remove the bad battery NOW.

    This can start an electrical fire, if the broken plate makes a connection.

    You've been lucky, don't push it. This will burn your truck to the ground.

    If you can't figure out which battery it is, pull them all. Most likely it is swollen and stinky and diiferent than the others. Wear eye protection, it may be ready to blow. Measure the voltage after you disconnect, and it will be low.

    It's a easy fix, you can do it in the truck stop lot. Most shops will loan you a two wheeler to cart the batteries with.
     
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  6. RedRover

    RedRover Road Train Member

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    It's like 110 outside. I'm sitting in the lounge in the AC waiting for the dudes literally right next door to come over and take a look at it. Burned the #### out of my hand even raising the hood lol.
     
  7. Turtles

    Turtles Light Load Member

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    So now you know.

    You should be on the hook for one or two batteries and an hour or so of shop time.

    If the batteries are more than a few years old, consider changing them all.

    If you still had 13V your alternater is still good, so don't let them sell you another one.

    You should be able to get out of there without spending an outrages amount.

    The sulphur/vinegar smell is always batteries. If you can smell it, replace it.

    Electrical fires usually start at either the batteries or starter.
     
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  8. RedRover

    RedRover Road Train Member

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  9. RedRover

    RedRover Road Train Member

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    Aaaaaand it's all 4 batteries bad. Admittedly I'm not a mechanic so I have no idea what he was doing with his little gadget. Could be one bad battery for all I know. Just gonna replace them all and call it a day. That's why I maintain a maintenance account I guess. Oh and 105 an hour for labor.
     
  10. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Your better off changing all the batteries at the same time anyway. I know it can be expensive when they have you in your position, but when you started smelling the acid, you should have taken care of it then. Live and learn.
     
  11. RogerThat72

    RogerThat72 Road Train Member

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    rotten eggs is battery's for sure.
     
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