First I live in an appartement and it is difficult to do any work out in the lot.
I came out today to go to work and the motor turned over about 1/2 turn and stopped. Looks like dead batteries. There was no warning at all. Yesterday it was just fine..started fine, charge right at 14, lights fine everythiing great. It has never even turned over slow before. I thought it might be the starter contacts but the starter engages fine always has but the lights go out when I try to start. LP runs fine, good pressure.
I'd guess these batteries are at least 3-4 years old, but there is no corrosion or spitting, the terminals are very clean, again no corrosion. No swelling.

I walked to work. 4 miles each way. Not that I couldn't use the exercise.

I have a medium sized battery that is pretty good I think. It will probably need a charge which I can do. I have some big heavy jumper cables too. Do you think this will start it??? At least long enough to get to the battery store about 10 miles away.

If I take out the left battery and replace it right away with the smaller one, will I have to reset the APPs? I figured I could re-charge the big one then swap it with the right one, charge that one , then swap out the smaller one and use it with the jumper cables to get started.

I'm trying to avoid a tow. Not only that there is a guy with a 1 ton PS that just moved in next door to me and he is parked right beside me. I'll walk over to the battery store twice packing a battery each way before I'll let him see me on a hook.

I guess what I'm asking is...It looks like the truck could be disconnected or powered down for a day or so untill I get the batteries. Am I going to have to do anything to get under way with the new ones??

I thought these batteries worked in parallel, but someone said only the left battery does all the starting.

bentwings

 

If you replace one at a time you should not even have to reset your radio. Just seems kind of strange that both batteries would go like that. If you can, try to isolate each battery and charge them both. You may have lost one battery and it is dragging the other one down with it. You can start and run these trucks on one battery, it just gets harder to start in the winter. And yes the truck 'sees' both batteries as one with the way they are hooked up.
Tom

 

Thanks MnTom. I was hoping to hear good news. Maybe one will turn out ok. It would be nice to have a big one for a booster this winter...just incase. I'll replace both anyway.

It's going to be a hassel doing the switcherroo especially since I'm isolated from my tools. I'm going out now to check inventory in the truck. I have the small battery on charge. I'll go by Autozone and get what I need if I don't have it. I could borrow from the guys at work but I rather be "owed" than "owe" that's just being an independent Norwegen. haha.

Looks like I'll be hoofing it tomorrow too. Hope the PS guy doesn't see me. I figure I'll save about 7 bucks by walking to work a few days since I won't be coming home for lunch. Big deal.

I grew up in Duluth and the Iron Range. Went to school at UMD for a couple years before going to StPaul.

thanks again
bentwings

 

I HATE IT WHEN THINGS WON'T START!!!!!

Mine done the same thing a few years ago. They held enough charge to start, but both batteries tested bad.

 

Well I got it running tonight. Amazing what a couple batteries will do. In reality, starting had actually deteriorated and I just didn't catch it. What was almost instant turn over and start had gone gradually down to a momentary hesitation which probably was almost a stall before start. Eventually both batteries didn't have the capacity to continue to turn the motor over against compression. While this wasn't something that was standout obvious it was there. Now it starts instantly just like it used to.

An additional reminder was somewhat painfully made evident just how much we are dependent on vehicles. As a result of having a dead truck I walked to work a solid hour walk of 4 miles each way for 3 days mainly because I couldn't get to the auto store during the hours they are open. We all usually have another vehicle to cover for the dead player but unfortunately due to a move my other van is 110 miles away. I can't imagine what a disaster like New Orleans is like. Not only can't get to work, work isn't there in the first place. It's washed away along with everything you owned and there may be no job to go to at all.!!!

So my prayers are with them.

Thanks for the help guys, as always it's nice to have a place to go for assistance and to give a little when possible too.

bentwings

 

I'm glad it was something simple to fix...