Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 97' Turns over slowly

[MDEVENS]

The engine cranks over slowly.

Backround: My 97' has always been a fast starter. In 2008 the starter contacts began sticking, so I went through the starter, cleaned, installed Larry B's new contacts, have new brushes but did not replace (old brushes hardly worn when compared to the new), installed new batteries, replaced mechanical transfer pump. Lately it has been cranking over slowly, It does start, but I know it will not make it into the Winter in Vermont. I checked batt. voltage (both running and not running, OK) cables on batts. are clean and coated in dielectric grease- always have been, water in batt. , lubed pivot on fuel shut off bell crank and solinoid.

Have I missed something? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks' Mike

 

[Forrest Nearing]

how's your hot battery cable look between the two batteries? it could be corroded inside

 

[MDEVENS]

Forrest; All battery cables are in like new condition, no corrosion anywhere.

Thanks for the reply, mike

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

It is likely that either your starter is giving more problems, or one battery is dead (often the passenger side).

 

[MDEVENS]

Joe, Thanks for your reply. Both batts were replaced in Oct. 08, I just went out and disconnected the cross-over cable and measured 12. 87 volts in each batt. When tested the truck had been setting for 5 hours. If there is nothing else to check, I'll drop the starter, and have it tested.

Thanks, mike

 

[RLHannink]

Might be dirty brushes. once I opened mine up to clean them one time, it would only last a few months until I had to do it again. Eventually it needed a new starter.

 

[ata]

Joe, Thanks for your reply. Both batts were replaced in Oct. 08, I just went out and disconnected the cross-over cable and measured 12. 87 volts in each batt. When tested the truck had been setting for 5 hours. If there is nothing else to check, I'll drop the starter, and have it tested.

Thanks, mike

Disconnect the cables from both batteries and LOAD test them. Just because you have good voltage that does not mean you have good AMPERAGE. See what happens to the volt reading. Load test is the only way to tell if a battery is good or bad.

 

[hsmith]

A new brush assembly cured mine with the same symptoms.

 

[MDEVENS]

Well, I pulled the starter and took it apart. The rear bearing next to the brushes was gone. Fortunatly, it wasn't bad enough to let the armature rub the field coils. I totaly disassembled and cleaned, greased and, and replaced all the bearings for $73. 50 and soldered in the brush set I had. Starts like a new truck. Thanks everyone for your input.

Mike

 

[dseabaugh]

mine lost cranking power 2 months ago. the starter had lost internal ground and was actually arcing in the case. took a new front case. the rest of the starter was perfect. Assembled the parts with dielectric grease this time. The motor bolts had welded themselves to the starter in an attempt to make ground.

 

[MDEVENS]

Mine wasn't that bad yet, but the failure of the rear bearing caused the front motor bearing to to loosen up in the housing. I installed the front bearing using Lock-Tite bearing and race sealer to lock it in place. Time will tell if it works.