Need HELP / INFO

[DRanger]

The last couple of days when i start my truck it struggles to start up like as if the battery were low . It has trouble turning over and starting. Had battery checked , also alternator they are both working at 100%. Any ideas what could be wrong?

 

[GHarman]

Electrical is not my strong suit, but I would be looking at the battery cables, especially the cable and connection that goes to the starter. I had a battery connector clamp bolt corrode in two and after some time there was enough oxide formed between the connector and battery post that they were isolated from each other. NO START at all! GregH

 

[DRanger]

We Cleaned up all the connections on the battery . And it still has the problem.

 

[HCannon]

Had the same problem with a 97. I replaced the connections in the starter and that fixed it. Isnt hard to do after you get the starter off.

 

[WJones]

Grab yourself a solenoid rebuild kit from larryb.



you might want to change the brushes to while you have it apart.

 

[BDaugherty]

If you're certain that the battery and cables are providing good current the the starter, then the starter could certainly be on its way out. I haven't had to replace any Cummins starters, but I had the exact same problem on a Nissan car I used to have. I bought it used to commute in several years ago. After about a month, it started to turn over slow. I installed a new battery (1000CA) and cleaned up the terminals good. There was no change to the cranking speed. About a week later, I went into a store and when I came out, it wouldn't turn over at all. 1 Autozone starter changed in the parking lot later, it spun nearly fast enough to drive. Expecially if you're running a stock '92 starter, take it off and either upgrade it, or have a reputable shop do it.

 

[JLEONARD]

I've had the battery checked with the normal testers and found good, but a new battery solved the problem.

These starters need a lot of oopmh to spin the engine.

 

[Greenleaf]

I had to rebuild the starter via brushes and contacts. Everything else was new anyhow, so it was easy to troubleshoot.

 

[JLight]

My Truck turned over slowly UNTIL i put a new NAPA Commercial battery in and at 8 degrees it started like it was plugged in! Batteries go bad gradually and another rule my pappy told me is do not buy a CHEAP BATTERY!

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

Amen to that. I've spent some time in northern Wisconsin back in the woods where the nearest road is 2 miles away and the nearest 120v source is 10 miles away. With winters at 20 or more below zero, you learn to spend the little extra cash on a battery to make sure you can turn it over in the morning. She won't like it, but these old beasts will fire with a good battery in those conditions.



So I hear, if you make a fire under the oil pan, in about an hour it'll fire if you don't have a good battery... . Wasn't me, but I know someone who buys used batteries and had to test that theory.

 

[JLEONARD]

 if you make a fire under the oil pan,

Saw a big rig driver do that a long time ago when I was in Germany in the sevice. I think he had it going for longer than 1/2 hour but eventually the engine fired up.