Battery/Alternator issue? Help.

[storlied]

Now the question is, how long will it take to thaw out inside a place that's around 60-70.
If I can get the truck to my bodyshop guy tomorrow, he'll do the alternator swap for me. (If.. the alternator gets here by then)

 

[aldive]

If I can get the truck to my bodyshop guy tomorrow, he'll do the alternator swap for me. (If.. the alternator gets here by then)

Why would you pay someone to install the alternator? Use that money for a voltmeter, etc.

Good luck ...

 

[storlied]

He might do it for free, who knows.. Either way.. I don't have a heated garage, we've been having some pretty bad weather here lately, it's -54 right now. It's just easier for him to do it. I'll be picking up a voltmeter sooner or later, since I'll be starting to do stuff with my wiring soon.. it would be convenient.

 

[aldive]

I'll be picking up a voltmeter sooner or later, since I'll be starting to do stuff with my wiring soon.. it would be convenient.

no, it is ESSENTIAL.

Good luck ....

 

[Turdle]

it's -54 right now. It's just easier for him to do it

-54!



I can't imagine changing an alternator in -54 degree weather.

 

[aldive]

-54!



I can't imagine changing an alternator in -54 degree weather.

I can't imagine living like that.

 

[hunterdan]

Since the battery has frozen, I would ditch it, its been discharged to the point nothing will turn on, and now froze. Take it back to where ever you bought it from, and see if they can do a defective exchange on it, if it comes up defective they might just swap it out, or pro rate if for you. Get a new battery, then invest in a trickle charger of some sort, you can usually get automatic ones for about $15, they just keep slowly charging the battery when the voltage drops below a certain point, and shut off, preventing the battery from over charging. This will help keep your battery from freezing as it will keep the acid warm. You can get terminals that permanently attach to the battery cables, so all you do is plug it in when you get home, and unplug it when you leave. Combined with the battery warmer I assume you already have, this should nearly eliminate frozen batteries... Oh, if the battery can have distilled water added to it, don't do it, it will just make it freeze easier. Just get a new battery and be done with it. Some stores even sell used batteries for $5-10. These batteries are usually good and are returned because the store wanted to make the customer happy. Good luck...

Dan

 

[storlied]

Money issue atm, I'm still going to try and find out if this battery is still good or not. Shucks will not take it back or exchange it.

If it gets to around -30 or warmer, and I can't find anyone to do my alternator.. I'll do it.
I'll take that chance in a heartbeat, warm weather doesn't last long at all this time of the year when it comes around.

 

[storlied]

I have reason to believe my heating pad may be bad for the battery, I'll be getting a new one of those also.. they're cheap.

 

[Turdle]

Yeah, get out the shorts for that - 30 heat wave.

I'm cringing just thinking about it. Does anti freeze even work when it gets that cold?

 

[storlied]

Mine's tested to -40. The Durango's was tested to -50. Not sure what exactly that means, if its the limit or just what they're testing for.

-20 Isn't too bad, you can sometimes find me outside eating ice cream. Haha.

 

[winsorcoke]

Money issue atm, I'm still going to try and find out if this battery is still good or not. Shucks will not take it back or exchange it.

Schucks is the same thing as Checker. You can't buy anything at Checker without giving them your whole life story. You shouldn't need a receipt. They will look it up on the computer. Anything that comes with a warranty goes into their computer with your name...

Just walk in and tell them it's no good. You don't have to tell them why.

 

[storlied]

I'll try it, but what if they ask?.. I can't just be like.. "I don't have to tell you."

 

[winsorcoke]

You just tell them it's not taking a charge even when you put it on a charger. Your battery has an 84 month warranty on it. They should honor it.

 

[storlied]

If it comes down to it freezing, it's not covered by the warranty. I already had that looked into. I find that to be BS imo.

Maybe I could just get away with it though, I think the failure was brought on by my battery heating pad dying. I think it's dead, there's no heat to it.... Noticed this when I took the battery out.

 

[winsorcoke]

I wouldn't tell them about the freezing. If it does come up, just tell them it froze BECAUSE it wouldn't take a charge. Don't tell them about the bad alternator either. Take it in at a completey different time of day than when you talked to them on the phone. You don't want to run into the guy you talked to that said they won't replace it.

 

[storlied]

This charger is confusing the hell outta me..

Battery is thawed out now, it has power.. I used a test light, I just don't know how much of a charge it has... either way.. I still need a new heating pad and I still have to get my new alt.. it Should be here today.. if not.. I'll have to wait until Monday... when it's warmer.. hopefully..

 

[storlied]

Went out and tested the battery, it's still good. Now I'm just waiting for the alternator.

 

[aldive]

Went out and tested the battery, it's still good. Now I'm just waiting for the alternator.

How did you test the battery? Youget a voltmeter?

 

[storlied]

No.... At first I used a test light to see if the battery even had any power after charging a little bit... I connected it real quick a moment ago.. everything came on.. it's a little bit low..(According to the battery gauge) but it was putting out 12.1 volts. (says my radar detector) Good enough for me.