I've been trying to figure out the past several months why my truck seems like the batteries barely have enough power to turn the engine over after it has been sitting for a day or two. It cranks on the first key turn but it feels like the batteries are almost dead. I replaced the batteries about 4 years ago with some batteries from Sam's Club. They were Energizer brand. Starting to wonder if they're just crappy batteries. I do have an Edge CS on the truck and when i turn the key to the on position it shows that battery voltage is a like 11.5v. Few seconds after cranking it will go up to 14v. Does this sound like problem with batteries or is something else going on? Thanks for any help or suggestions.

 

Sounds like cheap batteries to me (from experience). Could get them load tested out of the truck, but unless the grid heater is pulling in while you're getting that 11.5V those batteries are junk. Check it with a multimeter while the truck is off and has been overnight. Should hold over 12V (12.5 on a good set) without load, after sitting for a few hours.

 

What do they read key off before you try to start in the morning? That is the real reading you need.
Also disconnect the batteries and check them individually, one may be bad and dragging the other down. Always replace as a pair.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I replaced the batteries this week and it made all the difference. I had them tested at AutoZone and one of the batteries was bad. I went with some AutoZone Duralast Gold's so hopefully they should last several years.