Batteries or injectors

[MKing7]

Recently on cool mornings (40ish, which is cool for Houston, TX..... ) or when my truck has sat for a long time, I am getting long cranking before starting. I am fearful it's an injector problem but then read a post where someone replaced their batteries and this fixed everything for them. So I want to check my battery the next time it's cold out (it was not cool this morning and it cranked up much faster).



Would an injector react to weather and/or long sits?



Anyone know at what point the voltage is too low to crank efficiently? The other thread said the reason was that the ECM wasn't getting all the data it needed or not getting it as fast as it needed, etc. Can't find that post now of course.



Thanks guys.



Forgot to mention, truck is a little over 3yrs old, 80k.

 

[BGlidewell]

its a bit early for your batteries to need replacing, but just a bit.

Place a charger on the truck overnight and see if that makes a difference.

I have an 05 with original batteries and am planning on replacing them ASAP even though they are still working fine now. I also topped them off with distilled water a year or so ago. Even though they are maint-free, you can pry that cap off and check the level. Be care of the acid though. Use a turkey baster. (not your wife's )

 

[bheiting]

I'd start by checking that the intake grid heater is working - watch your voltage
gauge, it will drop a couple volts as the heater cycles - it doesn't cycle until the
outside temp is below something like 55 degrees F.

Next I'd check to be sure the injector elec. connections are clean and tight. I wouldn't
be too concerned about the batteries if it's cranking over good and your lights are
bright.

Check out TDR issue 65, page 71; issue 66, page 83 for further info. You have
probably noticed the back issues on here now. I know there is more info on this
in some of them.

Good luck.

 

[B.G. Smith]

If you aren't doing it already, try waiting until all the lights on the inst. panel go out, mine seems to start quicker when I wait. bg

 

[Slow Six]

From my experience I'd say you will be looking at injector(s). I usually don't wait for the grids heaters until temps get well under the 30* F and it always starts normally. When I was having starting problems a couple of years ago I suspected batteries and in fact had one that was bad. I installed two new batteries and problem solved or so I thought. After a few days slow starting and than no starting returned. Long story short, new injectors and crossover tubes and I had an engine that started better than it ever did. As I understand it the ECM needs to sense a minimum pressure on the rail before it will fire the injectors. If an injector(s) is leaking the pressure is to low and no start. New batteries may spin the motor fast enough for a while but if leaks worsen you will not start or at least slow starting. In my case I had to travel a long distance to a reliable diesel shop fo repairs. The technician pulled tubes and injectors and after a lengthy discussion I opted for all new injectors and tubes, a decision I have not regretted. A lot of the guys on here have gotten by just changing the bad one(s). Hopefully you have access to a good diesel tech that can sort this out for you.

 

[MKing7]

Thanks guys for your input. I haven't had much time to mess with this over the last week but I was in Oklahoma City this weekend and got some colder weather and the truck sat for 36hrs. When I was ready to crank it up Sunday morning I had someone turn it over while I held a meter on my battery. The voltage dropped into the mid 8's which seems pretty low to me.

 

[MKing7]

Just an update. Saturday morning it was in the 20's here. Truck turned
over real slow then nothing. So two new die hardsand the truck starts
like a flash. Hope it lasts. Btw, two die hard platinums is not a fun purchase.
But relieved it seems to have been that and not injectors. Knock on wood.

 

[BGlidewell]

thanks, I'm pretty sure you fixed it.

 

[MKing7]

Ya, I don't think I realized how slow my truck was turning over until I put those new batteries in. I guess it happened gradually and I just didn't notice.