Has anyone else had charging problems? Mine won't charge for 1-2 minutes after start up. Then it charges at only 12.8 volts ( fluke meter). When I had it reflashed I had them check it out. The tech confirmed the problem but star said it was normal operation. Service advisor said that DC may have a fix coming. I am getting tired of jump staring this truck once a week if I don't let it run 1 hour every day. Any thoughts out there.

 

doesnt sound normal to me it should be just over 14volts. I think the poeple at star better get their headout of the stars...keep going back. i would call them evrytime the batteries go dead. try running the truck withthe accesaries on and see what kind of voltage u get.

 

As DF5152 said.

 

Have the dealer check the batteries to see if they are good. The low "charging" when u first start it is probably the grid heaters drawing juice, but after they are done cycling the alt should put the batteries up to charge. If the batteries are low then the alt will struggle to charge them. If you have a battery charger put it on and bring the batteries to full charge. Then retest your charging situation... HTH

 

Thanks for the input. I agree that charging system should be puting out at least 13.6. It should put this out at any battery discharge level. I was just wondering if any one else was experiancing any charging probs.. I only drive about 3 miles to work. But more on the weekend. Hence it starts cranking slow on tues. night. My '00 and '97 did this short drive with out any probs.. I guess I'm looking for ammo for the dealer. Thanks

 

[quote author=picdodge link=board=17;threadid=14450;start=0#135979 date=1052354967]<br>Thanks for the input. I agree that charging system should be puting out at least 13.6. It should put this out at any battery discharge level.[/quote]<br><br>Not necessarily. If a vehicle has a bad battery, the charging will not be &quot;absorbed&quot; by the battery, thus showing low. Also you want the amps checked when charging with a inductive pickup, not a shunt unless it is rated for higher amps. 14.7 volts at 2 amps is no good, but 12.9 at 110amps is fine. Optimum charging is dictated by the state of the battery.

 

MY '03 does the &quot;same thing&quot; after startup. The in-dash volt meter will read below 12 volts for about 1 minute, and then jump up to what would appear to be a normal charging level.<br><br>I took mine to the dealer and was told that the fluctuaiton I am seeing is &quot;normal&quot; due to the heaters coming on at startup. Once they cycle, they cut off and the volt meter should read normal. It sounds like a reasonable explanation particularly in light of the emission laws for diesels. (Keep the heaters on for a minute after statup to improve fuel burn, reduce emisssions.)<br><br>If this is a normal condition, then EVERYONE's '03 ought to be showing the same readings after engine start?????????????

 

I think this is normal. Mine will sit there and the interior light (if I have the door open) will flicker until I start driving. I'm sure that's because the charging system is attempting to compensate for the grid heaters at startup. It doesn't do it nearly as much if I jump in and start the truck without waiting for the grid heaters.

 

I get the same readings after start-up, but they return to normal rather quickly (30 seconds or so), since ambient temp here in Texas has stayed above where the grid heaters would cycle more than just the initial programmed amount. If your batteries go low within a few days, it indicates a defective battery to me, and I would have it looked at for warranty on the battery. I sometimes don't drive mine for a few days at a time, and my batteries never have to be jumped off.

 

I checked mine this weekend for this and mine does the exact same thing. It was almost to the second two minutes before it moved from around 12 to around 14.