a few nights ago i started the truck cold and it took about 3-4 seconds to start as usual and i drove a few hundred yards to the store, drove back, pulled out the ramps and drove up on to the ramps and changed my oil then when i started it to back down it gave me trouble starting and about half the lights and things were not working and a loud buzzing so i shut it off and tried to restart but the batteries were to low so basicaly i only got 3 normal starts and one bad start from what should be almost new batteries. jumped it and every things ok. i isolated the batteries and used a 50 amp carbon pile load tester and they tested good. alt. puts out 13.1-13.7 volts depending on weither or not lights and ac and radio on. batteries recover to 12.6 after start and load test. voltage drops to 11.5 while cranking.

so my questions are
1- is 3 to 4 starts normal for diesel?
2-13.1- 13.7 seems kinda low to me but i thought ive read on here that the computer controls the voltage output of the altinator is that true?
3-11.5 seems kinda low too whats the normal amp draw of these starters is it the normal ford starter amp draw of twice what every other car and truck on the market is?
4-now to the long cold starts. ive checked ficm voltages battery voltages and icp pressure and all seem fine except as described above what else should i be looking for?

thanks in advance

 

The computer does not control the alternator output, but the alternator is kept off until glow plug operation stops.

Inspect the charging and starting system - all you wires and terminals (including grounds).

A 50A load tester is not sufficient. Take it in to the dealership, or a battery shop and have them load tested there. While you are there have the alternator tested. You are risking the FICM by living w/ this.

 

ok thanks i was planning to bring it to autozone for a charging/start system test. the one by me has an old bear 3. whats the average for these altinators? 14-14.5?

 

13.1-13.7 volts dont seam bad to me thats around my average