My question is: Am I missing something here.
Please read the story below.

Went out to start my truck the other day and just click click click. Jump started the truck and found only 12.01 volts from alternator. Replaced the alternator and installed 2 new 880 CCA batteries.

On first start up it cranked over really slow like the batteries were a little low. Let the truck run for 20 minutes and drove it for another 20.

Next start still a little slow and then it continued to get some what better but never as good as the 750 CCA batteries did prior to alternator failure.

Went to mountains next day truck started ok in the morning before I went. Truck was parked on the mountain for 2 day less than 48 hours and average temp being around 15 degrees F. When I started the truck to come home let the plugs run till the relay clicked off started cranking and it was very very slow. The truck is a good starter so it fired up even on the slow crank.
Last few starts have been a slower crank than I would expect from that size of battery.

I removed the batteries brought them back to where I bought them (the CAT dealership) they load tested with a small tester they tested fine. They are going to charge the batteries and due a more comprehensive load test on the batteries in the morning.

I charged and reinstalled the old batteries. when starting these were the voltage conditions:
Key off Engine Off - 12.6 and steady
Key on GPR energized - 11.94 and steady
key on engine off GPR relay not energized 12.3
cranking voltage lowest was 10.56
engine running voltage 14.4 volts
This was done when engine was warm so GPR was only on for 30 seconds or so.
Does this all seem right?

I did not do these tests with the new batteries mostly cause I was unhappy that all was not perfect.

Sorry this is long just want every thing I've done out front. searched a ton and everything seems to be proper.
Thinking the GPR is eating too much power during plug cycle???
BTW truck is a 2001 PSD

Thanks

 

Could be your starter going bad. Possibly your LPOP is draining down.

Also, read the hard or no start thread pinned to the top of the forum. Could be a cold weather issue.

 

Definitely get your starter amp draw checked. We had one here doing that and it was pulling over 400 amps.

Also, clean the cables to the starter and to the batteries really good with a brush if you did not do it when u put the batteries in.

 

Had a very similar problem to yours. If I started it within about 12 hours (overnight) it did okay, but anything close to a day or more and it would barely crank. HPOP reservoir was topped off and oil level was at the top of the dipstick (your IDM won't fire your injectors until it sees 500psig oil pressure).

Long story short, my starter was going bad and taxing my electrical system so bad that it was killing my batteries. Replaced my starter and got new batteries (every cell was dead in each one) and it starts almost as fast as my dad's Duramax.

 

This morning no issues at all with the start. Not cold just about 32F.

I'm starting to lean towards the starter.
It may just be a cold thing with the starter.
Anyone else had this issue with the starter only when the temp is below 20?

For anyone that has replaced the starter which one have you had the best luck with.

Thanks again.

 

Interesting, I'm starting to notice a difference between starting the F-250 and Excursion. The Excursion's starter sounds like it turns over much faster even with new batts in the F-250. IIRC most recommend the stock starter, the aftermarket ones see m not to last as long. I'll look for the "just joined the new starter club" thread when I get home.

 

Well the batteries tested perfectly fine even on the high amp industrial tester. Got home after getting the batteries crawled under the truck to see what starter I had and real easy to tell the starter was F'd just by looking at it. One of the bolts that holds the starter all together was busted and the starter was starting to come apart. Unbeleivable that it was still turning the engine over.

I will be getting new starter tomorrow. It has the 2 bolt ford starter now.

I will probably just get OEM replacement.

Thanks for everyones help.

 

Sounds like you found the problem.......Here is the starter link i mentioned above:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-club-now.html

 

If its a ford starter have it rebuilt if possible. It will last much longer then the parts house rebuilt ones. Good luck either way,
Chet