Starter is sluggish
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Starter is sluggish
I was on an out of state deer hunt with my '95 PSD and suddenly the starter was cranking real slow on start up. My batteries were 5 years old so I assumed that was the problem and went to the nearest town 2 hours away. Arriving at midnight only Walmart was open, so I bought two new batteries with 850 CCA. Problem still exists. Once I got home I went to O'Reillys and they tested the batteries and starter with their diagnostic tool. First the battery tested bad until I cleaned up the lugs, then they tested good. The starter tested good as well, guy said it drew 14 amps, or was it 140 amps? My memory fails as I age... The battery cables are original and I admit that the lug on the positive terminal of the main battery is pretty banged up.
But I still have an issue where at start up it just barely cranks fast enough to get running, and the cold weather hasn't even hit yet. What could it be? Is the starter beginning to fail? Should I get new battery cables? I realize Walmart batteries aren't the best, but they are brand new and have 850cca vs. 750 on the factory installed ones. Any suggestions?
But I still have an issue where at start up it just barely cranks fast enough to get running, and the cold weather hasn't even hit yet. What could it be? Is the starter beginning to fail? Should I get new battery cables? I realize Walmart batteries aren't the best, but they are brand new and have 850cca vs. 750 on the factory installed ones. Any suggestions?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 882
Likes: 11
From: Eastern CT
For the price, I would check out the tyc starters on rockauto. It looks like they are $108 without a core charge because they are new. Look for a coupon code too. When I got the starter for my Ex, I got it for $78 shipped to the door. Hope this helps.
Red
Edit:
Check out the starter for a 2002, it's $70.87. I believe the only difference is the terminals for the relay.
Red
Edit:
Check out the starter for a 2002, it's $70.87. I believe the only difference is the terminals for the relay.
Last edited by Red97350; Nov 21, 2016 at 08:41 PM. Reason: More info
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 10
From: Phoenix, AZ
I'd also check your positive battery cable over pretty hard (connections on each battery and the starter) as well as the negative battery cables.
I have two walmart batteries (I believe the same as yours) and my Bronco cranks and starts up really well.
Off the top of my head, I can think of 3 things that would cause slow cranking:
1) Bad batteries/ battery connections
2) Bad starter
3) Motor resistance (like if it was almost hydro-locked)
I doubt something mechanical is making the motor harder to crank, your batteries are new, so that should leave your starter or battery connections. I haven't had too much experience with the diesel system yet, but I've had way more than my share of battery connection issues when my Bronco was a 5.0 and also have battery connection issues with my Camaro (Chevy's incredible side post terminal setup has help me build anger and frustration more than I can count.) This motor takes a bunch of juice to actually turn over so if the connection is suffering, it may not turn that starter that well!
I have two walmart batteries (I believe the same as yours) and my Bronco cranks and starts up really well.
Off the top of my head, I can think of 3 things that would cause slow cranking:
1) Bad batteries/ battery connections
2) Bad starter
3) Motor resistance (like if it was almost hydro-locked)
I doubt something mechanical is making the motor harder to crank, your batteries are new, so that should leave your starter or battery connections. I haven't had too much experience with the diesel system yet, but I've had way more than my share of battery connection issues when my Bronco was a 5.0 and also have battery connection issues with my Camaro (Chevy's incredible side post terminal setup has help me build anger and frustration more than I can count.) This motor takes a bunch of juice to actually turn over so if the connection is suffering, it may not turn that starter that well!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,213
Likes: 1,342
From: Bahstun
If starter isn't bad then I suggest this reading this
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ou-cranky.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ou-cranky.html
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 1
From: Knoxville, TN
I was on an out of state deer hunt with my '95 PSD and suddenly the starter was cranking real slow on start up. My batteries were 5 years old so I assumed that was the problem and went to the nearest town 2 hours away. Arriving at midnight only Walmart was open, so I bought two new batteries with 850 CCA. Problem still exists. Once I got home I went to O'Reillys and they tested the batteries and starter with their diagnostic tool. First the battery tested bad until I cleaned up the lugs, then they tested good. The starter tested good as well, guy said it drew 14 amps, or was it 140 amps? My memory fails as I age... The battery cables are original and I admit that the lug on the positive terminal of the main battery is pretty banged up.
But I still have an issue where at start up it just barely cranks fast enough to get running, and the cold weather hasn't even hit yet. What could it be? Is the starter beginning to fail? Should I get new battery cables? I realize Walmart batteries aren't the best, but they are brand new and have 850cca vs. 750 on the factory installed ones. Any suggestions?
But I still have an issue where at start up it just barely cranks fast enough to get running, and the cold weather hasn't even hit yet. What could it be? Is the starter beginning to fail? Should I get new battery cables? I realize Walmart batteries aren't the best, but they are brand new and have 850cca vs. 750 on the factory installed ones. Any suggestions?
I would look long and hard at those cables....any signs of corrosion would be game on for replacement in my book.
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River19
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
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