7.3 not starting, ??

[royzell]

Hi All,

my '88 7.3 won't start without a jump-start. It was fine until recently
I tested the glowplugs today with a test light, and all seem fine. The batteries could be one area. They are matched 950CA, 730 CCA. I would have liked higher amps but these were out of a parts truck and 1 1/2 years old. They are the type with the 'green eye' for when they are charged and appear OK. I put them in about 4-5 months ago. The glowplug cycling system and wait to start light all appear OK, but no testing done.
When I try to start for the 1st time it pushes smoke out the exhaust, but doesn't turn over quick enough to start. The batteries drain down very quickly. The starter is about 4 years old.
When I boost it with my spare 950 CCA battery, it starts.

The alt. gauge is way over in the drained/ charging position.

Could my starter be going, need new (Stronger) batteries, or ??

[matts156]

Check your terminals and make sure they're good and clean. I had a problem with mine and it turned out that it was always starting off of one battery, and the other's terminal was corroded to the point where the sudden current demand killed the connection.

[PLC7.3]

You have already identified the problem........ batteries. You will kill a good starter if you continue. Go to Wallymart and get 2-1000CCA batteries cheap but good. As above check the wires......

[royzell]

Thanks guys, I had a feeling it was the batteries. Are Wally-Mart batteries good ? I've never used them.
I can get a discount of 10-15% on Interstates at a shop I deal with, but will still probably be twice as much. Will Interstate last twice as long as WalMart batteries ?

My main battery cable was replaced a few months ago with a new one from the parts truck. I'll re-check connections as well.


Thanks

[royzell]

Hi all,

'got er fixed. I bought 2 new Crown brand 1100CA (They tested at about 1050 CCA) batteries from a local auto-electric shop. $105 each. The truck started better but still seemed to be turning over slow, and took 2-3 tries to start. It seemed to be draining the new batteries already.
I had a spare mitsubishi starter, about 1 month old from a wrecked truck that I bought on e-bay 'just in case'. It still had all the stickers on it and was shiny. I paid $16 plus $38 shipping. I put that on this morning, and could immediately tell the difference. It turned over probably twice as fast and fired cold on the first try. It hasn't done that in ages. I'm happy.

Thanks Guys