Archived 12v 98 won't turn over

[BlameCandida]

My 98 2500 (12v) will not start this morning. When I go to start it, I wait for the wait to start li8ght, to go off, depress the clutch, and turn the key. The first few times I tried, it would crank for about 2-3 seconds, and then stop. Now It will not crank at all. When I turn the key to start it, I just get the "machine gun" noise.



The batteries were replaced in Spring 2009, and the starter replaced in Summer 2009. I am at a little over 290k miles. The last time I had trouble starting was last winter, but it was easily fixed by just priming the pump. I attempted to prime it this time by following the instructions given to me here: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/truck-911-archive/214007-engine-turns-over-then-dies.html .

 

[rkressg]

Sounds just like a dead battery.
Try charging it up.

 

[GAmes]

When you replaced the starter was it a cheapo auto parts store rebuild? Another possiblity is corroded battery terminals.

 

[Sticks]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Yup

This is the fun time of year when the temperature swings start to play havoc with things.

Check your battery connections and connections at the starter. Check your voltage both static (key off) and while cranking first at the battery terminals (both batteries) and at the starter. It may be that one battery has gone tango uniform and you may be able to limp along on just one until you get a replacement set.

 

[rMetzger]

You should just ship it to me, down here in Texas.

 

[GAmes]

I don't know about the rest of you, but it is irritating to me to not get any feedback from the OP.

 

[Sticks]

Must have got her running.

 

[BlameCandida]

It did turn out to be the alternator. I replaced it, and then had the rest of the charging system checked out. Starter, batteries, and alternator are all in working order. I'm still having starting issues though. Most mornings I can get it to start on the first or second try, but today I'm not having any luck. I tried about 2 hours ago, and no luck, and have been trying about every 20 minutes or so. I'm just getting a long crank without the engine turning over. When I was driving yesterday, I didn't get any loss of power, and I'm not noticing any drips under the truck. Fluid levels are fine too. The low last night was 36F, and this morning when I tried to start it was about 43F. It's 57F now.

Is this just a cold weather issue, or is something else at work here?

 

[MLee]

Find the fuel solenoid, Then turn on the ignition switch to run, there is a piston inside the solenoid, push it up, it should stay in the upward position. Now turn the key to the start position, it should start. If this is the case and it does, maybe the solenoid needs a little TLC, or maybe the relay on the fire wall is in the process of going bad. Geno's garage has them or Fosters truck parts has them both the relay and the solenoid. But check out the relay first.

 

[BlameCandida]

Yep, that did the trick. Thanks!

 

[MLee]

Like I said R/R the solenoid, it might be rusty enough that there is enough resistance to hold it up. It needes a strong current. And good battery electricity.