I am now on my third battery in our 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. On the two times I replaced the battery the symptom was a bit unusual. Turning the key would not even produce a relay click---stone cold dead. I tried on both occasions to jump start with a 'jumpit' with no luck. I even tried taking one battery terminal loose and starting with the jumpit alone, but no luck. (The jumpit was freshly recharged.)Has anyone had this experience? In the past I have seen battery failures much less sudden, getting at least a slow crank of the engine. I am mystified by this and would appreciate any clue.It seems that my carrying a jumpit in the truck bed is useless!

Most newish vehicles won't start, or even crank, when the voltage gets below a certain point. So basically it starts fine at 12.3 volts, but the computer says "No Way" at 12.2 volts.I'd be checking the alternator, and/or starter. What was the voltage when the truck wouldn't start? I'm sure it wasn't "stone cold dead", you did check the voltage didn't you?

3rd battery in 10 years is about normal.

2oldman wrote:3rd battery in 10 years is about normal.And we are just discussing in my thread batteries lasting 12 years (In my truck and some others) and others going 20 years! LOLActually, my cars would have those battery lifespan of 3 to 5 years. And when they go dead, no crank, no click no nothing -- just dead.As to the OP issue, yes, test your battery. Mine did not start when the voltage drop is considered minuscule. Reading of 12.1V.

Just replaced the 10 y/o batterys in my Dodge. They still worked but didn't like sitting in the cold very long.I've been driving for about 43 years. In that time I have had batterys suddenly short internally on 2 occasionions in various cars. Both times they could not be jump started. The shorted battery was just too much of a load. It kinda sounds like that's what happeded to you but that's a lot of bad batts in a short time.

fj12ryder wrote:Most newish vehicles won't start, or even crank, when the voltage gets below a certain point. So basically it starts fine at 12.3 volts, but the computer says "No Way" at 12.2 volts.I'd be checking the alternator, and/or starter. What was the voltage when the truck wouldn't start? I'm sure it wasn't "stone cold dead", you did check the voltage didn't you?Actually, I didn't check the voltage. I didn't think the no load voltage said much about a battery---but maybe it does. Sure acted to me as though the computer just said not enough voltage and shut things down.

Jump Start Question | Good Sam Community

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jan 20, 2020
Most newish vehicles won't start, or even crank, when the voltage gets below a certain point. So basically it starts fine at 12.3 volts, but the computer says "No Way" at 12.2 volts.

I'd be checking the alternator, and/or starter. What was the voltage when the truck wouldn't start? I'm sure it wasn't "stone cold dead", you did check the voltage didn't you?
2oldman
Explorer II
Jan 20, 2020
3rd battery in 10 years is about normal.
Yosemite_Sam1
Explorer
Jan 20, 2020
2oldman wrote:
3rd battery in 10 years is about normal.

And we are just discussing in my thread batteries lasting 12 years (In my truck and some others) and others going 20 years! LOL

Actually, my cars would have those battery lifespan of 3 to 5 years. And when they go dead, no crank, no click no nothing -- just dead.

As to the OP issue, yes, test your battery. Mine did not start when the voltage drop is considered minuscule. Reading of 12.1V.
ScottG
Nomad
Jan 20, 2020
Just replaced the 10 y/o batterys in my Dodge. They still worked but didn't like sitting in the cold very long.
I've been driving for about 43 years. In that time I have had batterys suddenly short internally on 2 occasionions in various cars. Both times they could not be jump started. The shorted battery was just too much of a load.
It kinda sounds like that's what happeded to you but that's a lot of bad batts in a short time.
Art_Davis
Explorer
Jan 20, 2020
fj12ryder wrote:
Most newish vehicles won't start, or even crank, when the voltage gets below a certain point. So basically it starts fine at 12.3 volts, but the computer says "No Way" at 12.2 volts.

I'd be checking the alternator, and/or starter. What was the voltage when the truck wouldn't start? I'm sure it wasn't "stone cold dead", you did check the voltage didn't you?

Actually, I didn't check the voltage. I didn't think the no load voltage said much about a battery---but maybe it does. Sure acted to me as though the computer just said not enough voltage and shut things down.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jan 20, 2020
Yeah, the first time that happens is really surprising. We had stopped on our way to our daughter's house and gassed up. Restarted the truck and drove on over to the house. Stayed a few minutes, went to leave, and the truck wouldn't start, no crank, no nothing. Showed about 12.0 Volts IIRC. New battery, checked the alternator and good to go. It was about a 5-6 year old battery.

IMO 3 batteries in 10 years is way too many. I figure at least 5 years for a battery. The battery in my car is 6 years old, and the one in Peggy's truck is 4 years old.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jan 20, 2020
fj12ryder wrote:
IMO 3 batteries in 10 years is way too many. I figure at least 5 years for a battery.
5 years per is about right, assuming his latest is new.
jkwilson
Explorer II
Jan 20, 2020
Yosemite Sam1 wrote:
2oldman wrote:
3rd battery in 10 years is about normal.

And we are just discussing in my thread batteries lasting 12 years (In my truck and some others) and others going 20 years! LOL

Actually, my cars would have those battery lifespan of 3 to 5 years. And when they go dead, no crank, no click no nothing -- just dead.

As to the OP issue, yes, test your battery. Mine did not start when the voltage drop is considered minuscule. Reading of 12.1V.

12.1V is an enormous voltage drop. 12.65V is the lowest full charge voltage of any commonly available battery. 12.1V would be 50% state of charge.
Yosemite_Sam1
Explorer
Jan 20, 2020
jkwilson wrote:
Yosemite Sam1 wrote:
2oldman wrote:
3rd battery in 10 years is about normal.

And we are just discussing in my thread batteries lasting 12 years (In my truck and some others) and others going 20 years! LOL

Actually, my cars would have those battery lifespan of 3 to 5 years. And when they go dead, no crank, no click no nothing -- just dead.

As to the OP issue, yes, test your battery. Mine did not start when the voltage drop is considered minuscule. Reading of 12.1V.

12.1V is an enormous voltage drop. 12.65V is the lowest full charge voltage of any commonly available battery. 12.1V would be 50% state of charge.

Sorry, this is what happens when I pretend knowledge -- not knowing there is a different voltage drop math.

Thanks! We learn something everyday.
dougrainer
Nomad
Jan 20, 2020
Brand and COST of battery will be determined for how long a battery lasts. There is a reason some batteries are a lot cheaper than others. Having a battery fail "suddenly", is NOT that rare anymore. Most common sudden failure involves the Acid plates come broken loose from the battery posts. THAT is why some jumpstarts fail to work. Also, some batteries when they have failed, actually "pull" the available jump start voltage without getting the required amount to the Starter. Doug