Register and join the largest automotive community online!
Please Register or Login to access: DriverSide DriverSide Home | Service & Repair | Car Prices | Parts & Accessories | Reviews & Advice | My Garage

2001 wont start in extreme cold


Google  
Web AF

spacecat_roger
01-21-2008, 10:38 PM
My 2001 ram will not start in the cold.The battery is new but does not have any juice to crank the motor over.I hear clicks from the battery area.What could be the problem.Ive owned several other newer trucks and never had this happen before.ive had the alternator tested,new cables installed.Could it be as simple as the battery freezing up on me? As i speak its going into the shop for the 3rd time in 2 months for this same reason.Could the computer be wearing out?

rockwood84
01-22-2008, 12:27 PM
clicks usually mean a loose connection . a chrysler engine takes a good hot battery to turn it over. how many cold cranking amps does the battery that is in it now have? if it has alot of cold cranking amps get the battery load tested

spacecat_roger
01-22-2008, 01:34 PM
clicks usually mean a loose connection . a chrysler engine takes a good hot battery to turn it over. how many cold cranking amps does the battery that is in it now have? if it has alot of cold cranking amps get the battery load tested
the cables are all tight.the battery i think is around 650 cold cranking amps.i had it sitting for 2 days in -36 weather.the truck was plugged in.i boosted it and took it to the nearest garage where it sat overnight.this morning the mechanic said it fired up with no problems.he is now thinking that something could be drawing power from the battery after its shut off.

Chris Stewart
01-22-2008, 09:14 PM
-36F is a killer on a battery.
You might try a bigger battery or get creative like wrapping a heating pad around the battery and setting the temperature on "low". Check after a few hours and see if it keeps the battery warm.

rockwood84
01-22-2008, 11:14 PM
extreme cold and extreme heat are hard on a battery. most of the batteries i see in a dodge are around 800 cold cranking amps.

Add your comment to this topic!


Google  
Web AF