clw

When i got in my truck this morning I turned the key on, the truck started up but the needles on speedo and tach just kind of vibrated on 0 and the radio was on a static AM station and it sounded like a CD was continuously loading. There was also a line of circles in the digital display.

When I put the truck in drive, the needles went to normal and I just changed the station to a preset. The CD sound went away after a little bit.

I've heard people with similar problems say the battery is starting to go. Any other possibilities?

zmadams

I don't know if this helps but sometimes when I turn my truck off the needles kinda dance around zero for a little bit and then quit, I never thought anything about it. However my battery did die on me about a week ago and since I got a new one I haven't noticed that happening anymore, but I haven't really been looking for it either.

scobar

iTrader: (4)

Battery. Mine did this when the battery was dead, if the radio was on the AM, my guess your FM presets are gone. I would check your terminals for corrosion, ensure they are tight, and maybe get your battery checked.

PenTheMonster

Its the battery. Happened to me a couple of months ago.

clw

i'm not by my truck right now. Will i see it if I test my battery with a voltmeter? or do I have to bring it to pep boys. How long roughly do I have before it goes dead on me?

PenTheMonster

Mine acted like that for about 6 months then I got a new battery.

clw

great. so its run out to the store tomorrow morning urgent.

Bshipe22

Mine did this last night. Didnt think anything of it until truck wouldnt start after movie. Jumped it and wouldnt start again. Ended up my alt wasnt putting any voltage back to.batt and killed batt. So today after new belt, battery and alt im back on the road

*91f150*

sounds like a battery but under real cold conditions. Is it cold where you are?

clw

its high 20s here. i'm in maryland and the weather is so tempermental. we went from high 65 to 35 to 25 in the course of 2 days and its supposed to be low 50s tomorrow. I'll see if its still acting like this when it's warmer.