Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Weak Starter?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 7, 2012 | 09:45 AM
  #1  
clintusaf's Avatar
clintusaf
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 680
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Weak Starter?

Hey guys,

My truck has been starting really slow. It has slowly went downhill for about a month now. Now it's to the point where it starts turning over really slow and sounds like you would for sure hear the click-click next, but then it slowly speeds up and starts. The batteries(2 yr old 850cc Motorcrafts) have tested good and I have checked and cleaned the terminals. I'm wondering if I should look at replacing a starter or cables. Where should i go from here?
 
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2012 | 10:39 AM
  #2  
woodnthings's Avatar
woodnthings
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,047
Likes: 10
From: Snohomish, WA
Club FTE Silver Member

The starter could be weak. Since they have a tough time turning over the high compression engine a weak starter will turn it slower. The batteries have been tested individually right and that is load tested?
 
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2012 | 01:26 PM
  #3  
clintusaf's Avatar
clintusaf
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 680
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Originally Posted by woodnthings
The starter could be weak. Since they have a tough time turning over the high compression engine a weak starter will turn it slower. The batteries have been tested individually right and that is load tested?
yes, they were individually load tested.
 
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2012 | 01:26 PM
  #4  
clintusaf's Avatar
clintusaf
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 680
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Ok, I crawled under the truck and found a broken starter housing bolt. They are the really long bolts that run parallel to the starter. I backed both housing bolts out to observe the inside of the starter and there was a lot of soot. I ran and got a new starter from O'rielly's Auto for $189 with a lifetime warranty. I looked at motorcraft starters and refuse to pay $450. Installed the new starter making sure to disconnect the batteries first. After installation, turns over perfect.

The new starter sounds alot different. My old starter was louder and had a kind of high pitch wine. This new one is much quieter with out the wine. Why would this be?
 
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2012 | 01:56 PM
  #5  
SpringerPop's Avatar
SpringerPop
Hotshot
Veteran: Air Force
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Club FTE Silver Member

Adequate grease in the gear-reduction train.

Pop
 
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2012 | 02:36 AM
  #6  
big poppa's Avatar
big poppa
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster, Pa.
I would have had your stock starter rebuilt. After a 186000 miles here and still cranking says alot for our brand and type starters. Too late but.......
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
heavy_d
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
16
Mar 21, 2014 12:21 AM
mac01
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
24
Nov 27, 2009 03:01 AM
97 RED PSD
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Apr 22, 2006 09:32 AM
93superflare
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Sep 27, 2004 09:46 PM
bobodean
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
2
Mar 16, 2003 09:04 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:59 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE