No start with weird symptoms

[MountainWays]

Truck in question is one in sig. Had to park truck about a week and a half ago due to a transfer case leaking badly. However, I would go out and crank it every other day and let all temps warm a little and roll it up and down the driveway a few times. No cranking trouble at all in temps from 20s to 50s. I go out the other morning to drive it for a very short errand, temp is about 25 and it cranks like a champ but no fire. Now for the weird part: dome light would dim and there was a small clicking noise from under the dash and when I let off the key the wipers made a pass across the windshield even though they were turned off. I have been sick so I have not had a chance to go through the parts of the no start checklist that I can do myself. The tach was registering about 400 RPM during crank so I don't think CPS is the issue. No warning lights. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

Checklist link: will not start

[Dave]

Charge your batteries

[Turbostang500]

I say charge batts too.
Low voltage can cause all kibds of weird problems.

[MountainWays]

The batteries definitely need charging now. What about the original no start. Truck was cranking fine just wouldn't fire up. Any other ideas?

[Dave]

Originally Posted by MountainWays

The batteries definitely need charging now. What about the original no start. Truck was cranking fine just wouldn't fire up. Any other ideas?

It was doing all the weird stuff due to low voltage. Your PCM wont allow the truck to fire if it sees less than 10.5 volts

[MountainWays]

So if that's the case then I just need to figure out what's draining the batteries. BTW. Love your Edison quote Dave. I'll charge 'em up and see what happens then. Thanks for the input. Hopefully nothing else is going on.

[MountainWays]

Checked oil level and it was within range and checked all the fuses and relays. The fuses were good and the relays weren't loose. Jumped it off and it fired right up. I'll keep an eye on it. Not sure what could be draining the batteries. One is a year old and the other only three. Thanks for the input guys. Weird stuff starts happening and I got a little panicked I guess. Anyone know of a good source for re-manufactured transfer cases?

[mgassel]

You replace batteries in pairs on diesel trucks even if one tests good!
Go get / warranty both batteries they should be the same cca's.
If one battery is weaker than the other one it will pull down the good one.
Have your alternator checked because bad diodes will drain the batteries.

[MountainWays]

I got truck last November and these are the batteries it came with. I always thought you replaced them both no matter the readings. Thanks for the reminder. The alternator was replaced in 8/10 so that seems pretty new to be the drain but that was on my list have checked. Thanks for the info.

[mgassel]

I have had bad reman altenators and they guys at the part store has told me that it happens alot too.

Plus I also just read your 1st post starting up the truck requires alot of juice ao if you are starting it and letting it run only to warm up some then shutting it off that could be an issue too as it will not allow the altenator to charge the batteries back up to full.

When you start your truck it needs to run for about 1/2 hour or more to properly charge the batteries back up.