So all of the sudden, the last 2 days, I go to start my truck and it seems like the batteries are dead.. Extremely dim dash lights and sometimes a fast very light clicking noise.

But if I turn the truck on and off, and pull the headlights on and off, after a few times full power will be restored to the truck / dash lights and it starts right up as normal.

My battery terminals are corrided pretty good but I don't believe that is the cause. I'm in the process of getting new sealed batteries and new cables.

This is my Winter daily driver and could really use some help on this issue.

Thanks

 

I would believe that is the cause... if you don't want to take them off and clean them, pour a can of coke over them, or some baking soda and vinegar.

 

Is it your grid heater?

 

Not the grid heater,

I believe it might be the corrison on the terminals but I never have to mess with the terminals to get it to start, I just turn the key on and off and turn the headlights on and off.

I would take them off and clean them but my bolts corroded off, and the wires are nasty... Everything needs to be replaced once it comes off.... I'm planning on replacing everything, but I want to be sure thats the problem

There is no kind of relay or anything that might be going bad?

 

Starter contacts wouldn't be causing this problem would they?

I go to start my truck and it seems like the batteries are dead.. Extremely dim dash lights and sometimes a fast very light clicking noise. But seconds later, the truck no longer has dim dash lights, and starts up as normal.

 

Starter bolts or contacts will cause a no start, however, they will not cause the dim lights.

Have you cleaned your contacts yet?

 

No I have not.
I will shortly, as soon as I can get new battery cable end bolts.

Or are you talking about the starter contacts?

 

That is the dirty terminals (ground). Also the intake heater draws down the voltage that is available when it cycles and that is why the lights dim and then come back up when the heater goes off, if the cables are not corroded and swollen in the cable you might save 300 dollars by just cleaning them well and replacing the batteries (gel good).

 

Thanks for the info

I'm firmiliar with the grid heater and how it dims the dash lights.
The Dimming I'm trying to explain is EXTREMELY DIM, waaaaaay dimmer than when the Grid heater kicks in.

So dim you can bearly even see the dash lights when it's dark outside.

 

With dirty terminals, the heaters can and will dim the lights by taking all available current, which is greatly reduced with dirty terminals. get a terminal brush and some dielectric grease. Brush them very clean and apply the dielectric grease liberally over every possible surface, then reinstall them.

 

Those are exact symptoms of dirty battery connections...

 

troll??????????????

 

Well if the battery cables are that bad you will have to replace them, but shop around, they ain't cheap, about $100 each. But they are all or most of your problem, and if that is your only problem they are causing, your are lucky. Not having any overdrive lock-up problems?

 

i always replace my cables with the same length, but i use 6 volt cables,
they provides less resistance, thus a bunch more amps are available when it's cold.

 

Replace the bolts, clean the connections with vinegar and wire battery brush, then flush with H2O. Get a tube of the grease made for battery terminals (AutoZone sells it in 1oz tubes) coat the terminals lightly and cover the outside of the clamps after tightening. Problems should be solved.