Anybody have problems starting after truck sits a week or longer.I've pulled I.O.D fuse which eliminates interior lights & radio etc. But still kills batteries in a week.Any idea's.Thanks Mark........

 

how old are batteries? they tired? I have original batteries in my 01 and it starts up normally more than a week later. i'm sure you have tried this already, tighten up battery terminals. Not sure what else to suggest.

 

I'd charge up the batteries and get them tested.

 

Yup, sounds like you have one or two bad cells. Have the batteries tested. If one is bad, I'd suggest replacing both.

 

Thanks for the replies.I've changed both batteries to see if it would change and didn't.I'm wandering if alternator screwed.When running it seems to charge good.Thanks Mark.........

 

You know that one battery wth a bad Cell Will Kill the other battery as they sit there, they will trade voltage back and forth trying to even out. try charging them both. and then leave them out of the truck disconected and see how long the voltage stays in them one at a time. I but one will drop fast there will be a volt or so diffrence. but you need to replace them both at the same time. also try to get two replace ment with serial numbers that are in sequincal or Very close. they will get along better. last abit longer.

 

Hey thanks for the replies guys.We unhooked the cables and hooked a volt meter between the cable and battery and was drawing way more than should be.I was also told to unhook charge wire from alt. to see if makes a difference.Haven't tried that yet.Will give your suggestions about batteries a try to because I did replace them seperately.Thanks Mark....

 

This is a shot in the dark but in the 1998 model year there were 2 problems called out in technical service bulletins for draining the batteries. One is the glove box light staying on with the glove box door closed. The other one is due to the seat belt electronics not shutting off. The seat belt locking mechanism gets energized to allow the belt to pull freely from the seat back. After about 15 minutes it will de-energize and lock the belt so it will not pull out from the seat. The electronics in my ‘98 truck failed and killed the batteries because of this problem. To test if this is it, start the truck, roll down the both windows, and shut off the truck and exit. Do not reopen the doors. Wait about 15 minutes (maybe longer) and reach in and try to pull the strap from the seat back. If they are free, the solenoid for the seat belt is staying on. It draws about 1 amp and can discharge the batteries.

 

That's a good point. All 98-02 quad cabs have the electric lock on the seat belts and are subject to this concern. They all will draw a high current for a period of time after shutdown (I was thinking it was closer to an hour, but can't remember.) They should time out after this then energize again when they see a door ajar signal. (If I recall right). Good test above to make sure they work.