Cold/no start

[diesel_hog]

Truck won't start again... I plugged it in all night but I don't think that the block heater is working. Normally I plug it in and it starts right up even if the temperatures are as low as they are now (-40's). Had this problem the past couple days tho because I think i must of torn my block heater cable. I go to start it and it barely turns over and won't start. Does not plugging it in drain the batteries??? Because when I go to start it my radar detector is telling me "low voltage warning" and my battery light is coming on. It won't even turn over now just a slight "click". Do I just need to get boosted? Will putting a trickle charger on work?

[m-chan68]

Whereabouts are you located geographically? What's the mileage on your vehicle? Have your batteries been replaced before? What type of engine oil are you using?

[Jarrod B]

how did you tear the cable?

[troid123]

Sounds like you need to get your batteries tested/replaced.

[diesel_hog]

Originally Posted by bockhold

how did you tear the cable?

backing out and forgetting to unpug it i'm assuming

but it worked for a while after that just fine. Would start right up in the morning. Now batteries are drained in the morning and block is cold

[STANG302]

The previous owner did the same thing with my truck. Just about tore the plug off the cord. Tried pluging it in once and she started spiting sparks all over. Getting a replacement soon.

As far as truck not starting when cold. Truck sat outside last night. It was -15 with windchills aproching -40. Let the glow plugs cycle for a total of about 2-3 minutes. And she fired right up. Poored out some black smoke for a bit. But she started.

Best part my old man gives me crap for how hard a PS starts and sounds when cold. And brags that he never has to plug his truck in. Well the 03' chev D-max wasn't having it this morning even sitting in the pole shed all night. Wouldn't fire up till after being pluged in for an hour! Won't be slinging any crap my way from now on!