93, wont start but jumpstarts stays running

[Peter]

Im sorry for double posting...but I didnt see this new category...
This morning I started my truck with no problems whatsoever. Then later today it startedt to rain again heavily and then i tried to start and it and got nothing basically. My scanner was coming in and out the windows would almost start to movie and the engine almost turned over once. This led me to believe it was the battery. So I got a jumpstart later on and managed to start the engine. I took off the cables and the engine continued to run. So I have eliminated a few things (ignition, alternator, distribution, starter) and I think that leaves the battery to blame. The problem with that is that the battery is only 1 year old. I remember having the same problem last year and replacing the battery. Could the problem be the battery? I also noticed that the hot line from the battery had rubbed on something and the outside was melted a little bit, i doubt this could be aproblem or could it? Could it just be the fact that its been humid and rainy and foggy for the past day or so? I just cant believe it could be the battery because it is so new...

 

[NH25]

It does sound like the battery is bad. Even new batteries can go bad after a short amount of time. It sounds like one of the plates has grounded inside the battery which can be caused from alot of vibration and/or alot of hard starts. I would suggest taking it back to where you bought it and having it checked.

 

[88vert]

Check your positive and negative leads real good also,they corrode from the inside out

 

[Alec]

Yup, definately could be wires. Or maybe the alternator is going and is causing the battery to go bad over time.

 

[Peter]

well it is a walmart battery that I bought in the middle of the night cause NAPA wasnt open...I am going to check the terminals and clean them up some...and then how do I test my alternator anyways? I figure it is ok based on that my truck continues to run...? wires?

 

[Alec]

Autozone will check your alternator.

If your 93 has never had the wires replaced, do it.

 

[DeRocha]

The Battery is the cause, but the real question is why is the battery dead after only 1 year. Even though the battery is relatively New it is possible its gone. Like the others have said I would check the wires and replace any that were badly corroded. Is the battery sealed and if not can you check the electrolyte level? As a simple test you could but a meter on the battery to see what it reads both running and not. If the alternator is working the run volts will be higher...

 

[Peter]

Yeh the wires are only about 5 years old....but thanks for all the suggestions...I am a complete idiot though and typical of myself having a bad day I panicked and immediatedly assumed taht it was a worse case senario...when in the end I had juggled lose one of the connections and they were a bit dirty....so in the eend the alternator is fine and so is teh battery, and come to think of it...it acted just like the batter cable was lose and because I always assume the worst and was having that kinda week I just thought ti was something major or the battery was sno good....sorry to waste yalls time

 

[Pheonixx77]

well heres some advice, autozone and adv auto carry batteries wth warranties, a bit more pricey but if you got one lke mine i wont have to pay for a battery for the next 8 years! been replaced once allready.

 

[Alec]

Walmart batteries have a 7 year warranty, I think prorate after 3.