So for the past few mornings (over the past week or so), I've had a rough time starting my tuck and it gets worse every day. As of this morning (it was about 40 degrees if that helps) I would turn my key, and the truck would just barely start, and I mean barely. It was to the point where it chugged for a minute until the idle eventually smoothed out. I cant tell if its just a bad battery or not because I can let it run for a minute after it starts rough, turn off the truck, then start it again much easier. This seems to only happen in the mornings after it sits all night, although it does seem to start slightly rough after 9 hours of work. Any thoughts? Im hoping its just the battery because Im pretty sure its original to the truck ('04 and its an ACdelco battery).
budman90
Rough Start Lately
Yea man, I'd say battery if I had to guess. Due to there is no battery or voltage indicator on the dash, it's difficult to diagnose sometimes that the battery is going out... There are some signs though at least that can give you some warning but most of the time you may not get much of a warning.
Bottom line though, if you're having that hard a time getting the truck to crank, it's a good thing to check out first, then the alternator. Take the battery to Autozone and have them test it out, it's free and definitely worth the time to get it checked out and eliminate it as a possible problem to your issue. If the battery checks out or you get a replacement and your truck is still having a hard time turning over, pull the alternator and have it tested.
Hope this helps, good luck man! :thumbup:
Bottom line though, if you're having that hard a time getting the truck to crank, it's a good thing to check out first, then the alternator. Take the battery to Autozone and have them test it out, it's free and definitely worth the time to get it checked out and eliminate it as a possible problem to your issue. If the battery checks out or you get a replacement and your truck is still having a hard time turning over, pull the alternator and have it tested.
Hope this helps, good luck man! :thumbup:
Yeah I just cant tell if its the battery. It doesnt crank for more than a few seconds, but it has a hard time finally turning over. Thats why im hesitant on saying its the battery.
it could be the alternator, or possibly even your belt tensioner has come loose.
My Truck has some bizzaare starting problems as well. every once in a while, it starts REALLY rough, there's no obvious reason or rhyme to it. last time i had chevy service it, they replaced the alternator and the belt tensioner, and it seemed to help alot. but it still has rough-days every now and then, especially when its cold out.
My Truck has some bizzaare starting problems as well. every once in a while, it starts REALLY rough, there's no obvious reason or rhyme to it. last time i had chevy service it, they replaced the alternator and the belt tensioner, and it seemed to help alot. but it still has rough-days every now and then, especially when its cold out.
I'm more inclined to say its the battery then the alternator.
Both can be tested at your local AutoZone or Advance Auto!
Both can be tested at your local AutoZone or Advance Auto!
Its not the classic crank for 10 seconds until the engine turns over, it cranks for maybe 3 seconds (closer to 2), and then it just BARELY fires. Would a battery cause that?
You'd be surprised!
I replaced the battery in my wifes car to weeks ago; it was acting like the starter was going out.
I replaced the battery in my wifes car to weeks ago; it was acting like the starter was going out.
Well im upgrading my audio system with a 500 Watt amp and a 10 inch sub, so i should probably upgrade to something like a Red Top anyways.
What exactly is the problem, is it a cranking problem or a problem while running/idling?
I think it will run fine if the battery is low?? Of course it won't crank if it's low.
I had a vehicle with a head gasket letting go. Coolant would seep into the cylinder after prolonged sitting. Since coolant doesn't burn, it took a minute for the cylinder to clear before the idle would smooth out. Maybe you have something mechanical taking place. Not necessarily to this extreme, but something. Idle/Air control valve? Dirty intake/throttle body?
Please confirm the nature of the problem.
You can have the battery load tested at your local store, but the battery has to be fully charged before they can test it. Drive it around for a while to allow the charging system to charge the battery then head to the store for a test. The alternator can be checked too, but you need to take that to them, off the vehicle.
I think it will run fine if the battery is low?? Of course it won't crank if it's low.
I had a vehicle with a head gasket letting go. Coolant would seep into the cylinder after prolonged sitting. Since coolant doesn't burn, it took a minute for the cylinder to clear before the idle would smooth out. Maybe you have something mechanical taking place. Not necessarily to this extreme, but something. Idle/Air control valve? Dirty intake/throttle body?
Please confirm the nature of the problem.
You can have the battery load tested at your local store, but the battery has to be fully charged before they can test it. Drive it around for a while to allow the charging system to charge the battery then head to the store for a test. The alternator can be checked too, but you need to take that to them, off the vehicle.
Today was the first morning where it idled rough until it finally smooth out and dropped down to the normal 650 rpms (this took maybe 10 seconds). However, i think this was due to how poorly it started. Like I said earlier, it just barely started after a couple cranks.
Prior to this (as of the last week), I've been having a hard time starting the truck on relatively cold mornings, where the truck would take a few extra cranks than normal to fire. This all started within the last week, it was starting perfectly fine before that. I havent touched anything in the engine for a while, so it wasnt something I did.
So to answer your question 08Canyon, it is more of a starting problem than an idling problem.
Prior to this (as of the last week), I've been having a hard time starting the truck on relatively cold mornings, where the truck would take a few extra cranks than normal to fire. This all started within the last week, it was starting perfectly fine before that. I havent touched anything in the engine for a while, so it wasnt something I did.
So to answer your question 08Canyon, it is more of a starting problem than an idling problem.
what? check it how? if you check the battery then you will just see what the alt is putting out... you will not be testing the battery.
If you test it out of the truck on a load then you can test it that way but it will not be a good enough test if you don't know what you are doing.
If you test it out of the truck on a load then you can test it that way but it will not be a good enough test if you don't know what you are doing.
If the battery is dropping voltage just sitting without the truck running the obviously the battery is bad. Of course I wont check it running
Just went out to my truck and realized I forgot my volt meter. Truck started up fine (been sitting for about 4 hours), but I'll get the battery checked after work. I've read that it can still be bad even if it checks out ok, so thats why im slightly hesitant, but it cant hurt i guess. I've also read it could be clogged injectors or a bad fuel pump, but that wouldnt explain why it can start up just fine 4 hours later.
Oh I'm sure the plugs need replacing. My truck has 95k miles and I highly doubt they were ever replaced.
Starting at 40degrees is different than starting at 70degrees to. When I replaced mine a couple of years ago. It was doing pretty much the same thing. When it had set over night and the temp drop it would be hard to start. After working all day, truck sitting about the same amount of time, would fire right up. No problems
Yeah I'm gonna get it check at advance auto. If it checks low (which I expect), I'll buy a optima red top. The truck drives like a top once it gets started which is why I believe its the battery.
It was raining out, so I didnt do the load test. However I decided to replace the battery anyways since I was planning on doing it before this little problem even surfaced
Optima Red Top with new battery terminals:
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Optima Red Top with new battery terminals:
Let us know if it starts/runs fine in the morning. I guess what it sounds like is it took a minute for the battery to charge enough for it to operate the ignition system properly.
If the truck is running soo poorly that it wont idle properly, a can of injector cleaned diluted in 19 gallons of fuel won't be the quick fix. I doubt that is your problem.
At 95k, it's good to start thinking about the plugs. As of now, if the battery fixes your problem I would take it for a ride long enough to clean off the plugs. It may have loaded up a little bit with the rough starting.
Can't wait to hear if life is good.
Is that one of those fancy batteries that you can't use a regular battery charger on?
If the truck is running soo poorly that it wont idle properly, a can of injector cleaned diluted in 19 gallons of fuel won't be the quick fix. I doubt that is your problem.
At 95k, it's good to start thinking about the plugs. As of now, if the battery fixes your problem I would take it for a ride long enough to clean off the plugs. It may have loaded up a little bit with the rough starting.
Can't wait to hear if life is good.
Is that one of those fancy batteries that you can't use a regular battery charger on?
I'm pretty sure it takes a regular charger. And it seemed to start fine this morning. It only did that rough idle I described once on me which was yesterday. I really think it was due to how weak the start was. But I'll keep you guys posted
Read something or saw on TV, that there is a charger for the Optima batteries. They said that you could use a normal charger but it could not be on more than a trickle charge. I am not 100% sure about the charge.
I dont plan on having to charge it so im not too worried, and if i do I would trickle charge overnight anyways.
This ^
Why would anyone need to charge it? you have a alternator. I have run red tops/yellow tops in every truck I have owned and never had a issue nor have i had to charge them either.
You got a great battery. run it and forget about it... that is what you get for paying for a nice battery: no worries and no maintenance.
Why would anyone need to charge it? you have a alternator. I have run red tops/yellow tops in every truck I have owned and never had a issue nor have i had to charge them either.
You got a great battery. run it and forget about it... that is what you get for paying for a nice battery: no worries and no maintenance.
There is a post on here some where. Its from some Optima rep that explains it. Sound not have to charge it, was just responding to a previous post. Glad you got her straightened out.
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