Dead battery or gelled fuel?

[easye515]

My truck stranded me last night. I went to start it and nothing. It had been sitting for two days and the temps were around -10 and it had about 1/4 tank of fuel in it. I have had this thing in -40 for days on end with no issues.
I assumed it was gelled at first because I could get the engine to preheat, it just wouldn't turn over. I ended up jumping it and it started right up. So I assumed dead batteries. Easy enough.

But it died again this morning. when I went to jump it, there is a brief message on the dash "service fuel filter". Is this just a coincidence?
I am running to oreilly's now to get some new batteries, I have a busy day so I won't have time to change out fuel filters. Is this thing gonna leave me stranded after work today?

I know, loaded question. I wouldn't be worried about it if its just batteries, but the fuel filter notice gave me pause. As an aside, it runs just fine once its running.

 

[Riddick]

100% battery related. Replace them and you will be good.

 

[MtnRider]

Dead batteries for sure. When they go there is no charging them, they are done. And they will cause odd codes etc.

.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Low voltage causes all kinds of electrical thing to screw up it is not gelled fuel you need a couple of batteries

 

[easye515]

Thanks. I bought a couple new ones. Didn’t have time to swap them out before work, gonna have to find a jump after my shift most likely.

 

[ppine]

Check alternator and charging system. How many miles on your truck?
Winter is hard on batteries. Low voltage will make your electrical systems do some strange things.

 

[MooneyFWD]

My truck stranded me last night. I went to start it and nothing. It had been sitting for two days and the temps were around -10 and it had about 1/4 tank of fuel in it. I have had this thing in -40 for days on end with no issues.
I assumed it was gelled at first because I could get the engine to preheat, it just wouldn't turn over. I ended up jumping it and it started right up. So I assumed dead batteries. Easy enough.

But it died again this morning. when I went to jump it, there is a brief message on the dash "service fuel filter". Is this just a coincidence?
I am running to oreilly's now to get some new batteries, I have a busy day so I won't have time to change out fuel filters. Is this thing gonna leave me stranded after work today?

I know, loaded question. I wouldn't be worried about it if its just batteries, but the fuel filter notice gave me pause. As an aside, it runs just fine once its running.

I had these same behaviors, but not in cold temps. Weird messages on the EVIC and the preheat cycle seemed to run. I replaced my batteries and it's been smooth sailing.

 

[CurtJ]

Had the exact same thing happen to me a few months ago; had to replace both batteries in a 3 1/2 yr old truck…:-/
Live in Indiana where the winters are not that brutal and my truck spends 99% of its time in my 60degeee garage. Volt meter still drops pretty low when I start it but comes back up after about a minute. I’m sure it’s the grid heater doin its thing. Dealership checked load and alt and said all was good so I keep going with that.