Electrical Issue????

[baja38ss]

Hey Guys need some help..I have a 01 7.3 that wont start. Started up fine this morning but I noticed my radio lights blinked off and on this morning on the way to work but the trucked seemed to run ok.
So I went to start it after work and it was like the batteries were dead. Just had the clicking noise and wouldn't turn over. But I noticed when I turned the key my voltage was up and down and then everything started blinking. Idiot lights on dash,radio lights daytime lights. Tried jumping with same results did end up turning a couple of time but wouldn't start. Cleaned terminal on batteries check driver side ground but ran out of day light. Any ideas...Looked at service manual but didn't see any that would help. Is there a voltage regulator on these? Any help would be appreciated..

[Bad Night]

Yea , sounds like a shorted battery , that was probably what was causing the blinking lights . Seperate the batteries and test them .

[Bad Night]

By the way , this exact same thing happened to one of my 2000 s . It was a bad battery . Shorted out cell . It drained the other battery too .

[baja38ss]

thanks for the reply. I did put a meter on each one but didn't disconnect them. There were a little low but thought that might of been from cranking on them. I guess if there was a short in the battery it wouldn't matter if I jump them or not?

[Bad Night]

Yea , with a short it won't usually jump . It pulls too much amperage .

[baja38ss]

Thanks again. There probably due to be changed out anyway. Hopefully thats what it is.

[Bad Night]

Let us know what you find .

[dieselmac]

Could be the alternator. Low voltage from a faulty regulator or AC current feeding the DC circuit(s) from a bad diode in the rectifier can cause starting problems, blinking lights, bad readings on gauges, etc....

[baja38ss]

Would it throw a code?

[Bad Night]

Originally Posted by baja38ss

Would it throw a code?

No , probably just a battery light if you can get it running . I would get the batteries tested first , simple and then you know . If the batteries come back good , then get the alternator checked . It is the next suspect for sure .