Starter Problems

[Dave04]

Guys got some issues with starting. I'm currently in Afghanistan with Army. But wife is driving my truck once a month to just keep everything loose. She is saying it is hard starting and just recently clicked a few times and then started. Sounds like starter or weak battery. The battery's are only a year or two old optima red tops. So I'm thinking starter.

My questions is who has replaced the starter and with what brand? Normal time to replace starter? 04.5. 168,xxx miles. How hard is it to switch out?

 

[BigPapa]

Have you ever put a charger on the batteries? If the truck is sitting a month at a time I would suggest putting a charger on it to see if it helps next time she drives it before jumping to a starter. You have nothing to lose. If it's the starter it's not going to get any worse by sitting for a month.

 

[sag2]

I would agree, even one of the $5 Harbor Freight float chargers would not be a bad idea if it is sitting that long. 2004 trucks didn't have much draw on them shut off, but a month is still a long time for them to sit. Also when she does start it she should be driving it at least 20 minutes to try and get the batteries up to a full charge. I would invest in the charger before I had a starter put in it.

 

[Dave04]

I have a charger but I don't think she knows how to use it. question I'm assuming you need to charge both batteries at the same time. So I'll need a second charger. She is driving it when she starts it.

 

[B.G. Smith]

NO, the batteries are paralleled so one charger will do both. Very much appreciate your service to this country. bg

 

[Dave04]

So which battery then?

 

[B.G. Smith]

Either> bg

 

[BigPapa]

I have a charger but I don't think she knows how to use it. question I'm assuming you need to charge both batteries at the same time. So I'll need a second charger. She is driving it when she starts it.

Yes, thank you for your service.

What kind of charger? It should be as simple as connecting it to the battery and plugging it up. I would suggest getting one of these:

http://www.batterytender.com/Motorcycle/Battery-TenderR-Plus.html

You can get one on Amazon for $44.35. Leave it on it all the time, except when you're driving of course. As stated, connect to either battery. It will charge both at the same time.

 

[Dave04]

It's a simple 3 setting charger. 1/2, 6, and 10 amp. I think. We have three young kids at home. It will just have to wait unti I'm home.

 

[BigPapa]

I have one of the chargers I linked to that I would be glad to ship to her to try if you'd like. All she has to do is put the red clip on the positive, black on the negative, and plug it in. Just PM me an address. Does the truck sit outside? I don't like leaving any battery charger hooked up with a vehicle inside.

 

[Dave04]

Sits under car port. I'll have her take a picture of mine.