no crank
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 95
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no crank
I have searched and found lots of info be need a little more specific.
First off my truck is a 2002 f-250 7.3. Batteries and alternator are 2 weeks old and the connections are good. Started was rebuilt 2-3 years ago. The two bolts near the shifter column are tight (one was loose but its tight now).
Now the problem. I get an intermittent no crank. It does not seem to matter if its cold or hot but when it happens it will not crank at all, sometimes after a few tries it will start and sometimes I just give up but the next day it might crank right up. I have swapped the relay under the dash with another one from a different spot.
Im leaning toward the starter solenoid. If I pull the starter can a auto electric shop test that reliably even if its an intermittent problem?
I saw on a youtube video where I guy disconnects the signal wire at a plug near the passenger side of the firewall and uses a piece of wire to jump it to the battery to test the starter. If I do that with the key on will that at least start the truck so I can get it in the barn? Its cold here in ohio and I really don't feel like doing this in the driveway.
Thanks for any help.
First off my truck is a 2002 f-250 7.3. Batteries and alternator are 2 weeks old and the connections are good. Started was rebuilt 2-3 years ago. The two bolts near the shifter column are tight (one was loose but its tight now).
Now the problem. I get an intermittent no crank. It does not seem to matter if its cold or hot but when it happens it will not crank at all, sometimes after a few tries it will start and sometimes I just give up but the next day it might crank right up. I have swapped the relay under the dash with another one from a different spot.
Im leaning toward the starter solenoid. If I pull the starter can a auto electric shop test that reliably even if its an intermittent problem?
I saw on a youtube video where I guy disconnects the signal wire at a plug near the passenger side of the firewall and uses a piece of wire to jump it to the battery to test the starter. If I do that with the key on will that at least start the truck so I can get it in the barn? Its cold here in ohio and I really don't feel like doing this in the driveway.
Thanks for any help.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 2
From: Bend Oregon
Have you tried tapping on the starter with a mallet or a chunk of 2X4 when it won't start?
Have you tried starting it in neutral rather than park?
If it is a bad solenoid on the starter jumping the start (signal) wire to 12V+ at the batt may give it a little more amperage to activate the solenoid, with the key in the run position it should fire up.
Have you tried starting it in neutral rather than park?
If it is a bad solenoid on the starter jumping the start (signal) wire to 12V+ at the batt may give it a little more amperage to activate the solenoid, with the key in the run position it should fire up.
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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ok just got home and tried jumping the signal wire. all it does is make a clunk sound in the starter same as when turning the key. I guess that narrows it down to being a problem with the starter. Almost sounds like the solenoid is kicking out but its not spinning. I have it half pulled but at 23 degrees, windy, and snowing man that's tough on the fingers, sure wish it would have started one more time so I could have put it in the barn.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 258
Likes: 5
From: NorCal
Could be intermittent. Could be a bad connection on the fat +12v that goes from battery to starter. Or maybe the block ground wire?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Bend Oregon
Did you try tapping on the starter with something before you pulled it? That old trick has got me home more than once.
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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I loosened the nut on the positive at the starter and wiggled it back and fourth then retightened it and it didn't change so im guessing the connection was good.
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Junior User
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I tried tapping it but it didn't work. I also didn't have anyone to try the key while I was tapping it though.
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Junior User
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its not froze up. This has been an off and on problem for the last 2-3 weeks. It sounds like its kicking the bendix out but not spinning. clunk may have been the wrong word.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
Bench testing doesn't put a load on the starter. It may not have the oomph to turn the engine... but it could be something else as well. What are your battery volts when the glow plugs are activated, and what are they when cranking? I ask this because a loose battery cable would rear its ugly head here.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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Bench testing doesn't put a load on the starter. It may not have the oomph to turn the engine... but it could be something else as well. What are your battery volts when the glow plugs are activated, and what are they when cranking? I ask this because a loose battery cable would rear its ugly head here.
This has been a rough month. hpop orings, 2 batteries (they were 7 years old), alternator died, belt tensioner, and now this.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
I'm not trying to do the one-upmanship thing, but count your blessings. It can get much much worse. I'm the poster child on this one.