Question:
parked the freigtliner on the street in chicago, for about 12 hrs. , when it was one degree. big bad rookie mistake.
tried to jump start it with my pick up truck for 45 min. but the engine won't turn over
all the appliences seem to work even before my attempt to jump start.
do you think there is somthing further i can do. ( maybe 45 min. was not long enough) or are thes battries due the scap pile.

Answer:
Find a big generator to plug the block heater and a battery charger in, let sit about 2 hours, then try to start it. that is about all you can do. If that doesn't do it, then replace all the batteries.

Answer:
You can't jump start a big truck off a single 12-volt car/pickup battery. You'll need to hold the connection for as much as a couple of hours to re-carge the battery, with your 4-wheeler in "high idle" (carefully prop the peddle or something). Make sure you've got good metal-=to-metal on your clamps. Expect a set of non-commercial jumper cables to heat-up a bit. I had to do this several time with a truck my company refused to put new batteries in, when I came back from hometime. It will charge, but it takes forever.
Unplug ALL your appliances, and don't "try" to start it until after it's charged for an hour or two -- it zaps what little charge you've produced and sets you back some. If it's an older Freightliner, make sure you're charging the three batteries used for starting,and not the separate appliance battery (Freightliner put out a lot of these two-circuit electrical systems in the late 90's).http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sect...onusWeek.php#tabs

Answer:
Shuffler, you left out the part about going to the auto parts store and getting a new alternator for the personal vehicle.
Zooterr, do yourself a favor, don't listen to the recruiter , don't use your car charge the batteries when it is this cold, you will be wasting your time. Either get a real battery charger hooked up or seek professional help.

Answer:
Using your personal veh will cook your alternator more often than not. If the batteries and starter are in good shape, the truck should start, even at zero. If it won't start, call your dispatcher and have them send someone out. Bad batteries or starters are a safety issue in winter, you could die if that truck won't start.

Answer:
thanks for the tips, shufler and p.t. dweller .
i think iam gona have to go with p.t. dweller on this one.
two hrs. of charging of my personel vehical seems like going above and beyond.
i think a lot of the swift drivers in the chicago region are having the same dielema. because iam makeing my third call to on road and have not got off hold yet , and i wait on the phone each time for about 25 to 30 min. each time . i hope the chicago traffic cops are in a good mood tomorow when the street sweeper has to get by my truck.

Answer:
zooter, is it a Volvo? How many miles? Because of the Icon system,Swift's Volvo starters take a crap between 250,000-350,000 miles. No amount of charging will help.
As far as Onroad, you just have to stay on hold until they finally answer.

Answer:
not a volvo. freightliner ,2003 about 470,000 miles.

Answer:
Doh! I just re-read your first post.

Answer:

That's what should be done. It's their truck,their problem.
You ain't getting mechanics pay are you? Jump starting today,engine overhaul tomorrow?
Carrier charity.
Truckdrivers are their own worst enemy when it comes to improveing conditions.
Answer:
Actually, Rabelam offers the best advice. I didn't realize that this was a company truck till after I posted my tips.
I just assumed it wasZooterrs truck,.

Answer:

And how am I my own worst enemy when I want to get down the road and start making money after a weekend off. Why should you spend 30+minutes on the phone just waiting for someone to answer, then wait another 2+ hours for them to show up.
If he can jump the damn truck and get it running then who the hell are your to tell him not to!!! I gess us company drivers aint allowed to change our underware any more with your persmision. Aint it a biatch when you are your own worst enemy just for starting the damn truck!
Oh and where did the post say anything about him overhauling the engine??? Can you please point this one out to me?
And as for the charity well I gess We had all better stop fueling them trucks because we dont get "fuel delivery technition" pay and no more pre trips because as you stated No mechanic pay going this way!
Oh well back to dumbing down the population . Company driver job description>>>>>Just hold that big wheel and don't hit to much.Specializing in marine repairs: Inboard, Outboard, and I/O's.
Local and long distance hauling available.

Answer:
There's a couple problems with do it yourself repairs on a company vehicle
1)in the case of jumpstarting -I highly doubt you will be compensated for any damage that could happen to your vehicle.
2)what if you damge the company vehicle in the process.The first thing out of your company will be "why didn't you call road service"
3) if it's a recurring problem the company will never repair it properly if you continue to "help them out".After a half a dozen service calls to jump start their truck they just might decide to repair the darn thing properly.
Answer:

Did it ever occur to you that if you weren't an idiot you should be paid?

You being a prime example.

That's what you Dwellers claim at unloading time. Won't lump loads for pay and giveaway
mechanical/maintainence duties.

Truckdrivers today. ChumpDriverLoser certificate menality.
Answer:
Man you are misurable son of a biatch. You ever think of helping another driver out instead of just trying to rip them apart?
Oh well if your life is that bad then ...
I aint even gona deal with you anymore your to depressing so enjoy argueing with yourself on this one Specializing in marine repairs: Inboard, Outboard, and I/O's.
Local and long distance hauling available.