Battery cable issues

JAY GROSSMAN

MEMBER
2004 DODGE TRUCK
5.9L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
253,000 MILES

There is a cable that runs from the positive to positive side of my battery. If there is a lot of corrosion all in that cable will it effect the charging system. I have one battery showing sixteen volts and seems to show signs of smoke and the other shows twelve volts. Could that cable be the problem? The truck is a 2500 diesel.

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

The two batteries are in parallel to start a diesel engine. That means their two grounds, (negative posts), are tied together, and their two positive posts are tied together. The negative ones are tied together through the engine block, and with smaller wires, through the body. The positive cable between the two needs to have solid connections so both batteries will charge and contribute to the starter. If the two batteries do not have the same voltage, there has to be a break in one of those cables.

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Sunday, November 19th, 2017 AT 4:51 PM

JAY GROSSMAN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I have replaced the alternator because my battery would lose its charge. I am thinking that the cable between the positive post is get a lot of corrosion built up on it. I clean it with baking soda but it is deep into the cable. The battery running off the alternator is the one getting hot and it the one showing sixteen volts. My gauge light is on in the dash along with some other lights.

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Sunday, November 19th, 2017 AT 5:28 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Just to add to this one high resistance in the cable from corrosion etc, will cause the cable to heat up. If the corrosion is bellow the cable end I would replace the cable.

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Sunday, November 19th, 2017 AT 5:53 PM