grahampfox

had this truck about 2 months and has been running fine - no problems whatsoever. Yesterday lunchtime would not start - relays were clicking and when I turned the ignition key everything died. Seemed like a dead battery. I attached jumper cables from another vehicle (SUV) and tried to start - engine sort of turned over once and then 5 or 6 rapid clicks (solenoid?) then nothing. I thought maybe if the battery was completely dead then that would make it difficult to start even with jumper cables. So I tried recharging the battery but still would not start. I even removed the battery and attached starter cables from the SUV directly to positive and negative cables and the same thing happened (engine turns over then 5 or 6 clicks). This suggests to me that the battery is probably dead but that there is also some other problem.... Any ideas?

kjohnson1

How old is the battery? From 2004? Who knows? Take the battery in and have it checked. It could have a bad cell in it. If there's a bad cell in the battery, then no matter how much recharging or 'jumping' you do, it won't work anymore. As far as these newer automobiles are concerned, the battery could be a link in the starting procedure, so when you connected the battery cables to the jumper cables the engine computer didn't know what to do. I've had some previous cars that could run after you started it and then removed the battery. Some others, would die right after removing the battery b/c the battery as a link in the power delivery. This month's Consumer Reports has a great report on the best batteries to buy. Personally, I run an Optima Red Top.

Good old Bill

Battery. Not all jumper cables are created equal.

grahampfox

replaced the battery and all works fine now - thanks for your help - just wanted to make sure there was not a series of problems that might need addressing.....

Good old Bill

Your welcome, we are all glad to help out. Your intro said alot about your credentials, can't wait to see your input in helping others.