Don't we just love aging trucks?

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jmc - 22 Sep 2008 22:04 GMT

My poor Dak is slowly falling to pieces :)

Not really, but I do have two new questions, completely unrelated, but I
don't want to overburden the ng with too many posts:

1. When I turn on the truck, as it starts up, it gives a single "ding",
and the ABS light on the dash stays on for a couple seconds more than
the other ones. No codes. Do I have a problem? I don't remember it
doing this before.

2. Truck is now 8 years old, and still on the original battery. The
current one is still showing green, but starting in the morning, while
still normal, isn't as normal as it used to be (if that makes any sense)
and I'd rather get a new battery *before* I'm left in a parking lot
somewheres on a cold winter's eve. Any recommendations for a decent
heavy-duty battery? I am planning on towing someday, and the truck has
the heavy-duty towing/alternator package.

Thanks, as always, for any assistance.

I'll be bringing it in to have the AC and maybe the headlights pattern
looked at anyways, but not to the shop I was at today. (grrr, still
ticked at the rude little old man.)

jmc
2001 Dodge Dakota, 4x4, 4.7l v8

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PeterD - 22 Sep 2008 22:34 GMT

>My poor Dak is slowly falling to pieces :)
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>the other ones. No codes. Do I have a problem? I don't remember it
>doing this before.

It is probably OK. You can use an ABS scan tool (at least on the
trucks I work on) if in doubt, but the systesm are usually relatively
simple, and either are OK, or the light will stay on.

>2. Truck is now 8 years old, and still on the original battery. The
>current one is still showing green, but starting in the morning, while
>still normal, isn't as normal as it used to be (if that makes any sense)

Makes sense. And as well eight years is a good lifetime for a battery.

>and I'd rather get a new battery *before* I'm left in a parking lot
>somewheres on a cold winter's eve. Any recommendations for a decent
>heavy-duty battery?

Personally I like Interstate, or you can go for an Optima. I've had
good luck with both brands. Much as I hate Wally-world, their
batteries (made by Johnson Controls) seem to be of reasonable quality.

>I am planning on towing someday, and the truck has
>the heavy-duty towing/alternator package.

Probably has a larger than normal battery. Make sure you get the
'right' one.

>Thanks, as always, for any assistance.
>
>I'll be bringing it in to have the AC and maybe the headlights pattern
>looked at anyways, but not to the shop I was at today. (grrr, still
>ticked at the rude little old man.)

Hey, he probably didn't like his machine being called a liar! <bg> I
have a delco adjuster, and it requires that I set the headlight height
from the floor. Once set right, it does an incredibly good job of
alignment.

>jmc
>2001 Dodge Dakota, 4x4, 4.7l v8

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dave - 23 Sep 2008 19:11 GMT

If the factory battery lasted 8 years, I would think about going to the
dealer for another one! Here in Phoenix, AZ, my factory battery only lasted
23 months, and the dealer replaced it under warrantee. The replacement only
lasted 23 months also!

> My poor Dak is slowly falling to pieces :)
>
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> jmc
> 2001 Dodge Dakota, 4x4, 4.7l v8

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