Hi, everybody. Here's the problem:

My pick-up sits in a garage through the weekdays and I drive it on the weekends. Every time I go to switch out vehicles, I have to bring my jump starter and jump the truck. The interior lights still work when I open the door but when I turn the key, nothing. After hooking up the jump start pack it starts up no problem. If I drive it daily from that point on, it starts up on it's own, but it's kind of a weak start.

The battery has been tested overnight and it had very little draw and I was told the battery is not the problem. I have an Optima red top which is probably a few years old. I also have a aftermarket alarm system that's decided to quit working lately. Starter was replaced about 8 months ago.

Any ideas?

 

Since its not your daily I would swap batteries and put the optima in your DD, and vice versa. If after a week with the daily's battery sitting in your yote it starts, you know its the optima. If it still doesn't start, back to the drawing board.

 

2nd what lee said, if its not the battery i would check other sources such as interior lights, alarm, dash lights, maybe an aftermarket amp if you have one...really anything that could be drawing power when the vehicle is off. All those things are supposed to turn off with the truck but there is possibility of malfunction somewhere in your electrical accessories. other things to check would be alternator power and grounds...good luck with it

 

Thanks. I will give the battery swap a try over the weekend and see what happens.

 

I agree with the draw theory. It could be something as simple as a light that doesnt' go out when you close a door, etc. I would put an ammeter on the battery when everything is shut down and see if you have a current draw.

 

I have seen a lot of problems with aftermarket alarm systems draining batteries disconnect it completely and see if anything changes. also check your cables make sure they are clean and tight my truck did the same exact thing everything would turn on but once the large amount of current was needed for starting it would cut out.

 

maybe you have a bad ground and its not charging...?

 

Sound like you have a parasitic bleed on the pickup...drains the battery during the week but once you jump start the truck the alternator charges the battery back up.

My guess would be anything you have installed recently like an alarm, radio, subs, etc that is still "hot".

 

Thanks for the replies, everybody. I thought it may have been the aftermarket alarm system, which is at least 4 years old, draining the battery...disconnected it and still had the same problem.

My alternator finally took a crap, replaced and it was still not starting on it's own. Replaced my Optima with a new one and I am back in business! Finally.

Funny how an alternator can test good until it craps out...the old Optima never even tested bad. I did have the alternator and battery tested several times since this problem began.