alternator change and still wont start

20

Asked by saintstoi Dec 24, 2015 at 06:57 PM about the 2007 Dodge RAM 1500

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I changed my alternator and have a new battery
andmy trick still wont start. it is completely
dead. im not sure what the problem is. the car
will start with a jump though.

6 Answers

14,455

If it starts with a jump then something is wrong at the battery. Did you replace the battery at the same time as the alternator or was it new until you realized it needed the alternator? Like Kelly asked are both the battery cable ends in good shape, if not then clean or replace them. Has the battery been checked since the alternator was replaced? Is one of the battery post plastic caps still on it preventing contact with the cable end?

1 people found this helpful.
20

both cables are replaced and the battery was replaced when I got the alternator. how do I check the grounds?

2 people found this helpful.
158,925

Clean the battery terminals even if they look clean. When trying to crank it measure the battery voltage. If it is under about 10 when trying to crank either the starter is drawing too much current or the battery is bad. An addition battery during a jumpstart will sometimes provide enough power to turn a defective starter.

14,455

As I understand what you've described by jumping it off it starts and runs. If you are jumping it at the pos and neg post of the battery it's as if you are putting another battery in the truck for a moment. If you still suspect a ground issue just follow the neg cable to wherever its bolted to the frame and engine then clean and tighten as needed.

1 people found this helpful.

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