Battery won't hold a charge

ERICSLY99

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
214,000 MILES

I have an older truck that will not start without fast charging for a few minutes (30) or a jump. This is every time no matter how long its been since I drove it or how warm or cold it is outside. Once it starts everything runs fine but if you shut it off you will have to go through the process all over again. Battery cables and connections are good. The alternator tested good and I just put a brand new battery in it. I'm stumped.

5 Replies

DR LOOT

MECHANIC
2,311 POSTS

You failed to mention that you had the battery tested, even though it is new I've had a lot of new batteries that are no good. Let's make sure we cover all of our bases and take the battery in for a load test to your local parts store or where you purchased it.

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Monday, February 23rd, 2015 AT 7:00 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

PLEASE SEE MY LINK, IT'LL REALLY CUT DOWN ON MY PECKING, AND I CAN SEND THIS TO YOU FAST. THIS WILL ALSO CLUE YOU INTO IT COULD BE ANYTHING! SIMPLE OR REAL COMPLICATED!

http://www.2carpros.com/questions/1989-ford-tempo-98-tempo-bran-new-battery-shut-car-off-didn-t-days-now

I THOUGHT WE HAD A GUIDE OR VIDEO ON THIS SUBJECT RIGHT HERE ON 2CARPROS, I RECKON I MISSED FINDING IT. THERE ARE ALSO SOME GOOD ONES ON YOU TUBE ABOUT "PARASITIC DRAINS" AND HOW TO FIND THEM. A REAL SIMPLE EXAMPLE OF ONE IS THE HOOD LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN IT'S IN THE CLOSED POSITION.

RETURN TO THIS THREAD WITH GOOD NEWS!

THE MEDIC

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Monday, February 23rd, 2015 AT 7:10 PM

SCHUELERAUTOSERVICE

MEMBER
8 POSTS

Check Charging voltage to be 14 volts or over while running. Maybe try booster cable from battery negative to block to eleminate a bad ground. Let me know what happens

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Monday, February 23rd, 2015 AT 7:12 PM

ERICSLY99

MEMBER
1 POST

Had the battery tested and it was fine but it was a lower cranking amp rated econocraft. I put a displays gold in with 1000 cranking amps. Same result. Engine just turned and turned but would never start. So I had a friend give me a jump and I barely turned the key and it started right up. I haven't a clue.

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Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 AT 7:15 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

ALRIGHTY THEN

CJ MEDEVAC (ME) IS STILL STUCK ON IT BEING AN ISSUE WITH ONE OF YOUR BIG CABLES! (OR A PARASITIC DRAIN)

YEP, ONCE AGAIN I'M GONNA LINK YOU TO ANOTHER ANSWER I GAVE A WHILE BACK, I REALLY PECK PRETTY DARN SLOW, AND THIS ONE IS ALREADY WRITTEN AND I MADE SOME HOMEMADE PICS AT THE END. PLEASE SEE MY ANSWER IN THIS ONE!

http://www.2carpros.com/questions/1996-chevrolet-tahoe-wont-start-sounds-dead-battery-jumpbox-get-same-reults

RETURN WITH A BIG OLE GRIN!

THE MEDIC

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