'02 TB no start - 2 month old batt

[nikuk]

Evening..

This is the second time that my TB has done this in the past 3 months. In decmeber (xmas eve) I parked the truck, warm, after a 15 minute errand; ran into a store; returned to my truck to find it wouldnt start. Not even an attempt. I had a 11.xx voltage @ the battery, but less then 4 volts @ the main fuse box. I jumped it with cables from the fiances car, drove it home, swapped in a new battery and all was well.

Fast Forward to tonight. I get into my truck after work (it's 27* outside) and turn the key... nothing. Again. Not even an attempt to crank. But the dash lights up, the locks catch, and the fuel pump primes. Then.. the lights fade. The battery is dying / dead. I know, because i wait a bit, turn on the ignition and the radio comes to life - the memory settings are lost.

I would have assumed this was another faulty ignition switch.. as those are common in the TB's; but the drained (2 month old with a 5 year warranty) battery worries me otherwise.

I have ZERO electrical addons. My stereo, lighting, and other electronics are stock except for an aftermarket radio. Nothing new installed or done to this truck in over 8 months.


Any advice?

thank,

Nick

[nikuk]

So I got her jumped, again with the fiances Alero.

She started up fine, albeit with a slow 1st few cranks. After ~30 seconds i removed the cables & she idled fine. I drove her home with heat & rear defrost blasting. 7-8 mile commute (~15 minutes), got her home, parked her, turned off the accesories, and shut her off. Instantly dead. Again. Same as last time.

Im not going to keep throwing batteries at this.

Any ideas?

-Nick

[rodeo02]

Sounds like a failed alternator to me. It's not able to maintain a charge on the battery. You should get about 14VDC across the battery terminals with the truck idling. (with a hand-held volt meter)

G/luck
Joel

[ScarabEpic22]

I either say failed alternator, bad cell in the battery, or you could have some corrosion on the battery wires. The OE Delco batteries are prone to leakage, and could have possibly corroded part of your wires causing the main fuse to not get the power it needs. Also, check the grounds and all the wires to make sure they are tightened, sometimes all it is is a ground that isnt grounding properly to fix something like this.

[nikuk]

Negative on both accounts, but thank You.

Ignition switch. Just got done popping a new one in. The TSB was right.. intermittent no start & drained batt.

Batt floated @ 9.6 vdc - Jumped it, let her idle for lil more then 1/2 hour, shut her off and now batt floats @ 9.9 vdc. Bear in mind, batts are considered discharged when float below 10.

$23.99 @ autozone.

-Nick