Truck stalled and would not restart...

[Rodzlla]

Some of you might know I run a big Kinetik AGM stereo battery (1370CCA and 101 AH) rather than two batteries. I changed out the battery terminals a year ago with AutoZone style gold terminals (I cannot recall the brand). Recently, I had sluggish starting issues and a dead battery one morning. I tested the voltage the next morning and it was sitting at 10.5 volts. Turned key and it started up. Once started, voltage jumped to 13.4. Let it run and when I turned it off, I put volt meter back on it. It steadily dropped until it read 10.5. Hmmm.

I called the battery manufacturer and they recommended taking out of truck, putting it on a charger, getting it back to 12.5, and let it sit overnight. The next morning...12.5 volts. Apparently not the battery.

I shift gears to replace the alternator with a 200 amp high output version from Alterstart Load Boss. When I ordered, they told me I should upgrade to a 1/0 gauge cable to allow for less resistance from the alternator to the battery.

While waiting for alternator to arrive, I had the dreaded traction fail - stab system - CEL message paired with a spitting and sputtering truck as I started it to move it out of the driveway. I tried to restart it a couple of times hoping things would reset. I disconnected the battery terminals and let it sit for 5-6 hours. During those 5-6 hours, I cleaned the MAF sensor with proper cleaner. Plugged battery back on and started without a problem. Been a week of regular driving wihtout any issue.

Yesterday I installed the new alternator (using the remove the battery and fuse block method) and the 1/0 gauge cable from the alternator post directly to the battery terminal. I also had to connect the existing stock cable (from the alternator post to the batter terminal) to get power to the fuse block and relays. So there are two cables running to the battery from the alternator. Seemed to start and run fine.

This morning, I take my kids to summer camp (twenty minutes up the highway) and am leaving the local park after dropping them off. Going up a very slight, but long hill with speed bumps. I am tooling along and the truck spits and sputters and I am trying to move to the side of the road. The dash lights were coming on as it was dying, but I cannot tell you which ones. I came to a quiet stop. No grinding or boom or anything else that might be a mechanical problem.

I tried to restart the truck and got nothing. I had interior lights but they were very dim. I did not have my volt meter with me, but I assumed it was a voltage issue. I was able to get a nice woman to let me use her truck for a jump start. Did no good. Towed it home and it is sitting in my driveway. I put the battery on charger and it charged to 12.6 volts. It held that for two hours until I plugged it back up and tried to start it. Now it is back to 10.5 volts again. When I tried to start it a hour ago, I hear clicking when I turn key to start. Not sure if is is the solenoid or a relay I hear though. It is too hot outside right now to mess around.

My next steps are:

Check for voltage at the starter.

I assume that the fuel pump is getting power. Would the fuel pump not getting power tell computer not to crank it over?

Recheck all PCM related fuses in fuse block.

Not sure how to figure out if relays are all working correctly.

At some point, I may have it towed to Chevy dealer around corner for diagnosis.

Any input you can offer is appreciated.

 

[Renagade132]

He old is the battery? Even new batteries can be defective, and if it's under warranty, I would have it exchanged. Unless the manufacturer or a battery dealer tested the battery, and confirmed it was good, I wouldn't go on a verbal response from a manufacturer to just charged it, because if the internal plates are bad or damaged, it will still charge, but not hold that correct charged past a few hours.

 

[Rodzlla]

I used the battery from Greg's H3 in mine. It did not start. It had to be something else...

While my big battery charged in the garage, I spent an hour disassembling the fuse block and cleaning dust, dirt and mud from connectors and such. I was meticulous when reattaching the connections and reassembling the box itself. Got it all back together and decided to take off the 0 gauge cable until I can get a 0 gauge ground cable.

Battery charged to 13 volts and I put it in the truck. Hit the key and it started up.It was a rough start, but a start nonetheless. It eventually smoothed out and ran fine.

Was it a loose connection somewhere? I do not know for sure.

Is it "fixed"? I hope so, but I am weary. I am hanging on to Greg's truck until Friday to take kids to camp each day. I will use mine to run errands during the day when it is just me. I will let you guys know if things go bad. Fingers crossed...