Semi truck won't start
Most semis that won't crank have a drained battery bank, often from running the sleeper, inverter or lights while parked. A heavy-duty jump start usually gets the engine turning; if it cranks fine but won't fire, that's a fuel or engine problem for a truck repair shop.
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Likely causes
- Battery bank drained by the sleeper, inverter or lights
- One bad battery pulling down the rest of the bank
- Loose or corroded cables in the battery box
- Cold weather on a diesel engine
- Battery disconnect switch left off
Try this first
- Make sure the battery disconnect switch is on
- Turn off the inverter, sleeper heat or A/C, lights and chargers
- Wait for the 'wait to start' light to go out before cranking
- Crank in short bursts and let it rest between tries
- On a shoulder, put the hazards on and set triangles only where you can stay clear of traffic
When to call us
- Cranking is slow or it just clicks
- You're at a truck stop, yard or customer site and need to roll
- The sleeper ran the batteries down overnight
Call (469) 619-8700 or request online.
In danger or blocking traffic? Call 911 first.
We come to where your car is
Day or night: your driveway, the parking garage at work or the shoulder of the freeway.
Questions
01Can a car jump-start a semi?
Usually not well. A diesel truck engine needs far more cranking power than a car can supply through ordinary cables. A heavy-duty jump start uses equipment sized for the truck.
02What if the truck cranks but won't start?
Then the batteries have done their job and the problem is likely fuel or engine related, including diesel that has gelled in a hard freeze. That calls for a truck repair shop; we don't do mechanical repairs.