Hi guys, I have a 2001 f350, 180k miles roughly. I do have 2 newer batteries, about 2 years old. Recently I noticed after sitting overnight, the turnover would be really weak at first but the truck would still start. When I turn the key to glow, it made a little grind noise as well, a little buzz maybe, hard to describe it.

All I could think to do was clean the battery terminals, the one main one had corrosion on it. After I cleaned it off, it started fine. Then I would drive for 2 days and it would make the difficult start, I just tapped that one corroding terminal with a hammer, it starts fine again.

There was a couple times during the day where I would turn it over and it wouldn't start, but then I glowed it again and would start right away.

Now I know whatever I am doing to the battery terminals is not a permanent fix, I am just extremely limited in my knowledge here. I change my oil and clean my air filter, change fuel filter, that's about it. I am just a landscaper.

I also notice there is a bit of oily or wet residue on top of one of the 2 batteries, but that could also be some other fluids I spilled when changing the oil, I can't remember.

Any help on where to start or what else to try first would be very very much appreciated.

Thanks

 

Start by testing your batteries. They should show 12.6V or more. Clean your terminals and your grounds, the batteries ground to the front of the engine, one behind each battery. I apply a thin film of grease to all of my connections, batteries and grounds when I open them up to prevent corrosion and promote conductivity. Then see how it goes.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
And if you have corroded history of terminals and clamps your cables have also deteriorated. This condition creates high resistance in the circuit. Our trucks require massive amounts of current to start and when cold starting you just about max out the rush current of both batteries at the same time which is why big and parallel is the way to go.
You may also need new cables.
Start at the batteries and connections as recommended above.

 

If you decide to go with new cables and terminals, a recent thread highlighted some good options.

Link: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ghlight=Solder

 

The buzz could be your vacuum pump running. Depending on the integrity of your vacuum system will determine how much it runs (it is not meant for continuous operation).

I would also recommend having the batteries load tested. One of my slow starts was my batteries (read 12VDC but had 10 of 12 dead cells between the two) and the other was my starter.

 

Also, disconnect your batteries and then remove and clean all of the wire to your Starter. Corrosion (resistance) can be on those wires also.

get one of these plug in voltage meters, it will tell you a ton of information during the starting sequence. Battery condition, Glow Plug Relay, Alternator condition, etc.

 

I also have one similar to this in my truck but it has two high amp USB plugs for charging in it. Nice to look over and see system volts.