Hi all,

My 7.3 2000 dually has been cranking slow in the morning. like rrrrahrahrah and then it lites off.

It's almost like I have a weak battery.

recently too, when I turn the key and wait for the "wait" light to go out, and I turn the key to start there is a wierd noise from somewhere behind the dashboard and the engine will not start. I turn the ignition off, and turn the ignition on, wait for the "wait" to go off and the engine starts.

Weird.

At 125.00 an hour I'm not sure I can stand my mechanic saying....I dunno.....here's your bill.

He tried to charge me last year when my glow pug relay went out and he "searched for a code" and said all my glow plugs were out and I was looking at 80.00 to diagnose and 600-750 to change all the plugs.......

25.00 and the relay was done by myself.

 

Batteries, or maybe batteries, but then it could be batteries. Unless it is cold where you are at, the GP won't come into play. The noise you hear behind the dash is relays clicking due to low voltage. You may have other issues such as a bad alt. but your batteries are low or if with a little luck you could have a bad connection some where.

 

Barry Summed it up pretty good.

Batteries
Connections
Starter
Alternator.

 

1 year seems waaaay too short a period of time for the batts to start going belly-up. what do you have?

BTW...I had to replace mine 3 years ago right after getting my truck (Jun 2005). Put 2 autocraft 'silvers' in there, and working perfect for 3 years....but just now starting to give the same heavy drag when starting that i remember when i had to replace them before. Prob. going to upgrade to the 'golds'.....

But Barry sounds right.

 

I agree with the short time, but it does depend on what batteries he used and if there is another underlying problem, like a bad or weak alternator. My truck is a 99 and bought by me in April of 99. I put two new Motorcrafts in 2 years ago. Cost, but if they last as long as the originals, then that's money well spent.

 

My dad got two new batteries last summer. Come up from florida and the batteries went bad after one 1year. Took back and got 50% off two new ones. I forget were or what kind of batteries he got. He was Pizzzzt to say the least.

 

Batteries are like everything else made by man, there will be a bad one or two now and then.

 

Hmmm - alternator say 16volts when running but the stock gauge is well.......

Battteries are Excide 850cca - bought through BJ Wholesale - Great price 5 year warranty -

$65.00 each.

Gonna get new ones tomorrow

 

Right the GP relay is not related - last winter it went out right before a long trip. I just kept it plugged in or idling when I went into a store.

My daughters were worried someone would steal the truck, With that I said let'em after new clutch, new tires, starting issues, anti-lock brake sensor, yada yada yada. Almost shot the truck last winter....

 

Well no wonder....Those batteries suck. Get autocrafts....

Actually, don't know anything about that brand---maybe someone else does---That's about what I paid for the 'silvers'......

But if the warranty is up and they'll replace them---oh well.

 

You could have a starter going bad, but without knowing you have strong batteries, it's just a guess. Most auto places will load test them for free. Just make sure you unhook each to test. Have them check your alt. while your there.

 

16 volts seems to be a bit high to me. I would take a DMM and test to see the true voltage. You should have 14 volts. At 16 volts you may be overcharging the batteries and slowly "cooking" them.

 

good point - maybe cooking. the original batteries went (autolites) and once replaced the cranking was quick. Maybe the alternator has been overcharging all along.....WILL test 2morrow and update.

Thanks for all the help. DVW

 

I just had the same problem. Went through and cleaned the connections, topped off batteries, tested batteries, had starter checked. It was one of the aftermarket battery connections that came just a little lose. Tightened it up and fires right up every time now.

 

My Autocraft 'silvers' were getting weak, so I went ahead and replaced them. Took the truck to the mountains (where there was no available power for the engine block heater)....Got down to the high teens one morning, and low 20s the other......The batteries had drawn down to about 10 amps each time---wouldn't start the engine, and had to get a jump. Even then it was tough. Keep in mind, I ran the engine about 15 to 20 minutes before going to bed, and still it was too weak in the mornings.

I got them from Advance Auto in Sept 2005 (they were tagged Aug 2005). Nice kid managing the place. The new ones I wanted (Autocraft 'titanium'). priced at $102.00/per ($204 total)......and he whacked off 10% off of the top of the price.....Then prorated the suckers (the 'silvers'....apparently, they have a 5-yr life expectancy.....they were about 40 months old). When he did that, it got me about another $85 knocked off of the price, so I walked away with two premium Autocraft 'titanium' (850 cold-crank amps) batteries for about $110.00. I'm happy.

They warranty for 84-months. (7 years). Not bad.

Ya know......Superduty or no....When the batteries ain't performing, what you basically got is a 6000-lb paperweight.......