Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) New Batteries and truck hardly turns over....

[hammersley]

Terminals look good - could this be a bad starter??? She has 289,000 and I changed the brushes a couple years ago... ... . also - how hard is it to change - it's dark and I haven't looked under her... ...



also - what must you pay for new battery cables????? Can you get them other than at the dealer?????

 

[MCummings]

It might be the starter...



I had a starter that was "dragging" one time. It would barely turn over even with a jump from another diesel...



What I would do is get under the truck and feel the temperature of the battery, then start the truck, then shut it off, then start it again, and shut it off, then go back under and feel the temperature of the starter. If it's hot, then I'd say replace it. After two starts the starter should only be mildly warm, not hot.



If it's hot, go down to NAPA, or wherever, (I went to Autozone) and pick up a new starter. They are easy to replace, you just need a 10mm 12-point wrench to take off the 3 starter bolts, and then there are two electrical connections. I'd give it a rating of a 3 on a 1 - 10 scale, you just have to watch out to not let the positive cable touch any ground if you forget to disconnect the batteries like I did. LOL WhOO, Random welding! LOL



Merrick

 

[BigPapa]

I just replaced my starter for the same reason. It really got to dragging so I checked my batteries and they were fine. Finally, it wouldn't turn over at all, just clicked. I crawled under the truck and whacked it and it turned over. Took it to get it rebuilt here in Nashville the next day and they said it was too far gone to rebuild and sold me a factory re-man for $175 total.



Scott

 

[ScottLauer]

Most parts stores can also test your starter if you take it off and bring it in. If's its bad you'll have to take it off anyways and the test is usually free. While it sounds like the starter is the problem it doesn't hurt to test it on the off chance that it is something else.

 

[AH64ID]

It could be the batteries... Just because they are new does not mean they are fully charged, put them on a 2amp charger overnight and see if that helps. . . if not all you lost was a night.

 

[BigPapa]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention, starter was 13 years old, 300K miles. Larry B's contacts installed at 125K miles. They still looked good.



Scott

 

[hammersley]

OK - it was the starter......

and MAN what a difference - it turns over so much faster - it starts before I turn on the key - well almost - I mean the difference in the starting sound is amazing. It has been degrading for years and I just got use to it..... sort'a like our bodies I guess..... and I had installed Larry B's contacts sone time back... . it was a new NAPA starter.....

 

[MAleshire]

You mentioned battery cables. Try this website:Heavy Duty, Aftermarket, Custom Battery Cables for your Car, Truck or RV. You can also make your own, and if the cables themselves are OK you might be able to just put new lugs on. I'd recommend using military type lugs if you are having new cables made, or just changinging the lugs. Using military lugs will allow you to remove both the positive and negative cables without actually removing the lugs from the battery posts.



Skip

 

[MAleshire]

I just checked the website I gave you, and they are not accepting new orders for a few weeks. But you can still get parts from them. Here's another website: www.WranglerNorthwest.com page 21 of their catalogue has the military lugs I mentioned plus they have all the materials you need to make your own cables.



Skip

 

[BigPapa]

and MAN what a difference - it turns over so much faster - it starts before I turn on the key - well almost - I mean the difference in the starting sound is amazing. It has been degrading for years and I just got use to it..... sort'a like our bodies I guess..... and I had installed Larry B's contacts sone time back... . it was a new NAPA starter.....

It is amazing, isn't it. Almost sounds "toyish" to me now.



Scott

 

[hammersley]

It is amazing, isn't it. Almost sounds "toyish" to me now.



Scott

Scott - you Know we should record the thing starting now and KEEP it -- every year or so listen and see what's happened... . then compare..... i know it isn't in my head - there is a world of difference.....