Early 99 starter issues
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 850
Likes: 114
From: Virginia
Early 99 starter issues
Hey guys, yesterday I had an issue with getting the truck started. When I cranked it, it cranked way slower than normal and wouldn’t start. After about 5 cranking attempts, the starter “zinged” like the bendix wasn’t engaging. It zinged twice, then fired right up like normal.
Battery voltage was 12.7 on one and 12.4 on the other with the batteries hooked up. After I got it started, battery voltage was 14 on both.
This is my 3rd starter in about 2 years, because all of my previous starters zinged/bendix didn’t engage. Granted whenever they zinged, the truck would always start eventually. When I put the 2nd starter on, I checked the flywheel and found no chipped or missing teeth. The batteries are pretty dirty, and the starter is covered in oil from a previous leak, so I plan on cleaning the batteries and starter up and seeing how it acts.
Any ideas as to why I’ve been through so many starters? The first two were from my local battery barn, and the current one is from Napa.
Battery voltage was 12.7 on one and 12.4 on the other with the batteries hooked up. After I got it started, battery voltage was 14 on both.
This is my 3rd starter in about 2 years, because all of my previous starters zinged/bendix didn’t engage. Granted whenever they zinged, the truck would always start eventually. When I put the 2nd starter on, I checked the flywheel and found no chipped or missing teeth. The batteries are pretty dirty, and the starter is covered in oil from a previous leak, so I plan on cleaning the batteries and starter up and seeing how it acts.
Any ideas as to why I’ve been through so many starters? The first two were from my local battery barn, and the current one is from Napa.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
#1 Clean all connections including battery grounds on engine block. #2 (Possibly #1) check that starter bolts are tight. #3 Your truck has a starter relay on passenger's side fender, apply power to the little lug on there and see if it starts any better.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,404
Likes: 52
From: Wheatland, Mo
What he said...but in my experience, oil soaked will cause issues and by the sounds of it, it is happening again.
Once you get it all cleaned up and no longer drooling oil all over the starter, clean the cables and terminals and making sure you have a solid connection, replace it again. I would bet that the oil soaking may have already caused the damage.
Once you get it all cleaned up and no longer drooling oil all over the starter, clean the cables and terminals and making sure you have a solid connection, replace it again. I would bet that the oil soaking may have already caused the damage.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
I am curious as to what you cleaned and what you saw/found during the process.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 850
Likes: 114
From: Virginia
All I cleaned was both batteries, battery terminals, battery cables and the wires that go to the starter. Couldn't find any loose connections, so hopefully I won't have this issue again.
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