battery / electrical issue driving me nuts...help
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Rocklin, CA
The alternator makes 14v and is working fine, I think I ruled the solenoid on the firewall by jumping the two main terminals on it...when everything was working the truck would start right up by doing this (key on), but now you jump it and nothing changes. The battery is a Walmart battery but with extra CCA, I went with it years ago because they had the best warranty and walmarts are everywhere so if you are traveling you can still find one. The battery is just over a year old and I'm starting to bet its the issue, I just wish I could find an auto parts store locally with a load tester!
Would it be worth it to spend the extra $75 and get an optima red top? The only issue I have with them is they only have a 3 warranty and no prorating after the fact. If not I'll prob just go buy a Cosco battery and hope for the best!
Would it be worth it to spend the extra $75 and get an optima red top? The only issue I have with them is they only have a 3 warranty and no prorating after the fact. If not I'll prob just go buy a Cosco battery and hope for the best!
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 443
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From: Durham, NC
The alternator makes 14v and is working fine, I think I ruled the solenoid on the firewall by jumping the two main terminals on it...when everything was working the truck would start right up by doing this (key on), but now you jump it and nothing changes. The battery is a Walmart battery but with extra CCA, I went with it years ago because they had the best warranty and walmarts are everywhere so if you are traveling you can still find one. The battery is just over a year old and I'm starting to bet its the issue, I just wish I could find an auto parts store locally with a load tester!
Would it be worth it to spend the extra $75 and get an optima red top? The only issue I have with them is they only have a 3 warranty and no prorating after the fact. If not I'll prob just go buy a Cosco battery and hope for the best!
Would it be worth it to spend the extra $75 and get an optima red top? The only issue I have with them is they only have a 3 warranty and no prorating after the fact. If not I'll prob just go buy a Cosco battery and hope for the best!
When it won't start:
Measure the voltage at the battery terminals with and without the ignition switch in the "start" position. If the voltage doesn't drop when in the "start"
position, there is another problem other than the battery.
When it does start:
Pull the fuel pump fuse so it won't start. Measure the battery terminal voltage while cranking with the started. This will be a true "load test".
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 447
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From: Houston,Tx
dont read this
I have a red top in my truck now. I dont know about anybody else around here,,, but ive had a walmart for three yrs with no problems. The only reason i went to a red top is the off gases walmart and any other lead acid batteries give off that cause the corrision you see on terminals green stuff. I had a problem with my truck with the battery and the off gases that it gave off caused corrision on the + terminal which made my truck act crazy,,, to the point it ended up locking me out of my truck at a exxon station. Luckly i was able to get in to truck. Along with the battery i replaced the battery cable for my truck. I can HAPPILY say i dont have any more problems. 
Hope you find a battery for your truck. Because from what i can see and read no battery out there is worth your time period. Not to mention i dont know what i am talking about!!!!!!!!!! BUT
GOOD LUCK with your hunt
P.S. Keeping the water in your battery is also important,,,since no one else said anything about that. Oh wait i dont know what i am talking about. Here in tx the heat here is a real killer of batteries here. Water is the reason they die b/c no one puts water in them,, and without water they dont work to well. But i am just ranting here and dont know any thing.
Hope you find a battery for your truck. Because from what i can see and read no battery out there is worth your time period. Not to mention i dont know what i am talking about!!!!!!!!!! BUT
GOOD LUCK with your hunt
P.S. Keeping the water in your battery is also important,,,since no one else said anything about that. Oh wait i dont know what i am talking about. Here in tx the heat here is a real killer of batteries here. Water is the reason they die b/c no one puts water in them,, and without water they dont work to well. But i am just ranting here and dont know any thing.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 25,641
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From: MI
Sadly, I don't know how to answer that question. Reason: Johnson Controls makes about 80-85% of the batteries in the U.S. now and because I test my batteries (and have for years) about every 2 months or so, I know what condition the battery is actually in, not just "it starts the truck fine so it must be OK". Frankly, that's utter nonsense. JC makes junk, clear and simple. When I test my batteries the one thing I've noticed with JC is that they don't want to hold voltage. Every JC battery I've had is unable to hold 12.6V by the time it's a year old. Everything works fine, but the battery starts to go downhill from the very beginning. I use Costco's Kirkland brand because they are generally cheaper for the heavy duty than others standard model and most importantly, they don't give you any hassle when one goes bad. They don't even test 'em, simply give you another under warranty. They are no better than anyone elses because they are made by JC also. Don't let anyone tell you that XYZ brand is a terrific battery today and all the rest are junk because THEY'RE all junk now! I've noticed that even Wal Mart has a 3 yr free replacement now, with NO mention of any additional warranty where their best battery used to be 3 yr free and prorated to 84 mo. (7 yrs.) My son's 770 CCA Wal Mart battery in his '08 Suburban lasted less than 9 mo. before it failed completely. Said made by Johnson Controls right on it!
BTW, the reason Motorcraft is now JUNK is because it's made by JC!
BTW, the reason Motorcraft is now JUNK is because it's made by JC!
Since sears offers a spec range for their Diehard selection, -you get what you pay for. That's the only out for the consumer I see. Diehard (GU) owned by guess who ?
I have two Diehards. A Gold and a Platinum. Only for about a year and half, -to early to tell. So far so good with both.
Is there a better option?
Last edited by jbrew; Oct 3, 2012 at 04:06 PM.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: In the fast lane from LA to Tokyo...
I don't believe it's JC's fault. Well, not any more anyway. They'll manufacture for Ford, Walmart or just about any merchant out there. Thing is, spec is determined by the merchant solely. You want a cheap battery to put on the market, they'll make you one. Cutting costs changes spec. That's what's happening. Sad in a way. Johnson Controls has the capability to provide most likley the BEST battery that's even been. There's not a market for it. I think they still own Optima as well, yea they went down hill. It's all a money game.
Since sears offers a spec range for their Diehard selection, -you get what you pay for. That's the only out for the consumer I see. Diehard (GU) owned by guess who ?
I have two Diehards. A Gold and a Platinum. Only for about a year and half, -to early to tell. So far so good with both.
Is there a better option?
Since sears offers a spec range for their Diehard selection, -you get what you pay for. That's the only out for the consumer I see. Diehard (GU) owned by guess who ?
I have two Diehards. A Gold and a Platinum. Only for about a year and half, -to early to tell. So far so good with both.
Is there a better option?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 443
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From: Durham, NC
No offense intended, but when I see bad or harmful information posted, I will try and correct it.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 25,641
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From: MI
The Diehard Platinum battery line consists of eight elite batteries. Diehard is only one of two battery brands to offer such a wide selection of AGM battery composition. The other battery brand is Odyssey also made by Enersys, go figure. Sears numbered their new Diehard Platinum batteries for easy consumer selection. The P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, PM1, and PM2. The P stands for Platinum, the M stands for Marine, and the number represents the battery group number. Below is a review of the Diehard Platinum batteries with each batteries manufactured specifications.
The P-1 Platinum Automotive Battery group number 34 from DieHard offers 135 minutes of reserve capacity and 880 cold cranking amps.
The P-2 Platinum Automotive Battery group number 65 from DieHard offers 135 minutes of reserve capacity and 930 cold cranking amps.
The P-3 Platinum Automotive Battery group number 75/86 Dual Terminal from DieHard offers 90 minutes of reserve capacity and 710 cold cranking amps.
The P-4 Platinum Automotive Battery group number 34/78 Dual Terminal from DieHard offers 135 minutes of reserve capacity and 880 cold cranking amps.
The P-5 Platinum Automotive Battery group number 35 from DieHard offers 100 minutes of reserve capacity and 740 cold cranking amps.
The P-6 Platinum Automotive Battery group number 25 from DieHard offers 100 minutes of reserve capacity and 740 cold cranking amps.
The PM-1 Platinum Marine Battery group number 31 from DieHard offers 205 minutes of reserve capacity and 1150 cold cranking amps.
The PM-2 Platinum Marine Battery group number 34 DieHard offers 135 minutes of reserve capacity and 880 cold cranking amps.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,036
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From: Maine
A testament for the Odyssey battery.....installed one in my truck 1/25/10 (65 series), this truck may sit for two to three weeks at a time, even in the winter.....starts like summer time, every time !! Best battery I have ever owned, so far anyway ...
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 25,641
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From: MI
I've had a walmart for three yrs with no problems. The only reason i went to a red top is the off gases walmart and any other lead acid batteries give off that cause the corrision you see on terminals green stuff. I had a problem with my truck with the battery and the off gases that it gave off caused corrision on the + terminal which made my truck act crazy,,, to the point it ended up locking me out of my truck at a exxon station. Luckly i was able to get in to truck. Along with the battery i replaced the battery cable for my truck. I can HAPPILY say i dont have any more problems.
The Red Top is a short story. Absolute JUNK! It went back. Come to find out, I wasn't the only one with that experience.
P.S. Keeping the water in your battery is also important,,,since no one else said anything about that. Oh wait i dont know what i am talking about. Here in tx the heat here is a real killer of batteries here. Water is the reason they die b/c no one puts water in them,, and without water they dont work to well. But i am just ranting here and dont know any thing.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 25,641
Likes: 19
From: MI
What did that one cost yuh ? Curious, are they more than the Diehard for these trucks ? From what I recall, only one of the Platinum series fit my application. Ah crap, now I can't remember, -I think that damn thing was 180..(?)
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,036
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From: Maine
Yea, Jim...I don't skimp on batteries. The one I have came from Amazon Part # 65-PC1750T $265.00. Can't tell you which one of the Platinum's equate to that particular one.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 443
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From: Durham, NC
Sadly, I don't know how to answer that question. Reason: Johnson Controls makes about 80-85% of the batteries in the U.S. now and because I test my batteries (and have for years) about every 2 months or so, I know what condition the battery is actually in, not just "it starts the truck fine so it must be OK". Frankly, that's utter nonsense. JC makes junk, clear and simple. When I test my batteries the one thing I've noticed with JC is that they don't want to hold voltage. Every JC battery I've had is unable to hold 12.6V by the time it's a year old. Everything works fine, but the battery starts to go downhill from the very beginning. I use Costco's Kirkland brand because they are generally cheaper for the heavy duty than others standard model and most importantly, they don't give you any hassle when one goes bad. They don't even test 'em, simply give you another under warranty. They are no better than anyone elses because they are made by JC also. Don't let anyone tell you that XYZ brand is a terrific battery today and all the rest are junk because THEY'RE all junk now! I've noticed that even Wal Mart has a 3 yr free replacement now, with NO mention of any additional warranty where their best battery used to be 3 yr free and prorated to 84 mo. (7 yrs.) My son's 770 CCA Wal Mart battery in his '08 Suburban lasted less than 9 mo. before it failed completely. Said made by Johnson Controls right on it!
BTW, the reason Motorcraft is now JUNK is because it's made by JC!
BTW, the reason Motorcraft is now JUNK is because it's made by JC!
+1
http://www.bestcovery.com/kirkland-s...re-car-battery
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 447
Likes: 3
From: Houston,Tx
MXR181 like i said before good luck finding a battery that you will be happy with and can afford. Also hope you find out why your truck wont start. I am not sure about who makes the batteries i buy. Not reallly concerned about it. Batteries are like the vehicles we drive manitance is the thing or paying attention to it. If you have a vehicle that you buy a battery for that you dont drive every day.That may sit for a week or more then one needs to take a good look at what to do to keep battery alive.
HAPPY HUNTING
HAPPY HUNTING
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,068
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From: So. Cal.
Sorry, when I said ALL batteries are junk now, I forgot about Odyssey. (also sold by Sears undere the Platinum name) They are made by Odyssey in the U.S. as far as I know and have not "sold out" to JC (yet). It's disgusting that there were American manufacturers 30 year ago or more that made batteries that would last 9 or 10 years and now it is a fluke if you buy a new heavy duty battery that lasts 5 years, more like 3. As stated, the 770 CCA MAXX from Wal Mart in my son's Suburban lasted less than 9 mo. before it failed completely. I did the charging and testing over a day+ and checked every circuit in the vehicle to make sure that there were no drains (there weren't) and it was completely shot!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 2
From: So. Cal.
=jbrew;4904114]
The Red Top is a short story. Absolute JUNK! It went back. Come to find out, I wasn't the only one with that experience.
The Red Top is a short story. Absolute JUNK! It went back. Come to find out, I wasn't the only one with that experience.
I don't totally agree with you Brew. Do you think Ford really wanted a crap battery in their products? When Exide bought GNB and started building junk in the very plant that GNB had produced one of the finest batteries made, I seriously doubt that Ford all of a sudden dropped their standards (specs.) in the toilet. Why didn't they stay with Exide? By that time they were between a rock and a hard place because the last one making a quality battery had just sold out to another junk maker, Exide. As stated, I test my batteries (proper load test) and can see that no matter who's name is on it, if it's made by JC, the downhill slide starts early. No test short of a carbon pile load test is a 100% test of a battery's true condition.
Last edited by code58; Oct 4, 2012 at 04:59 AM.