Starting Issue
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 152
Likes: 32
Starting Issue
I have a 97 PSD and had a no start issue this morning. Truck has been starting regularly but has had a few "slow crank" days when I let it sit too long between drives (4-5 days). Batteries are about 2 years old and should be good and I am pretty sure the alternator is good as well (although I haven't had either tested yet). The dash lights come on but VERY dim. There is a ticking noise that seems to be coming from the glow plug solenoid and the "Wait to Start" light does not come on. When I try to crank, all the lights go out and nothing happens. I charged both batteries and they are showing full. Battery terminals are clean and tight on both ends. I was planning to pull the battery and alternator to have them tested but it just doesn't seem like either of those are the issue. I have read about the starters going out on these and wondering if that could be the issue? Any ideas?
Also the glow plugs, wiring harness and solenoid have all been replaced recently. I have never replaced the alternator or starter in the 8 years I have owned the truck. Previous owner replaced the alternator right before I bought it. No indication that is was on it's way out.
Also the glow plugs, wiring harness and solenoid have all been replaced recently. I have never replaced the alternator or starter in the 8 years I have owned the truck. Previous owner replaced the alternator right before I bought it. No indication that is was on it's way out.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 152
Likes: 32
I was thinking I would get them tested tomorrow. Right now I have a trickle charger on them but they seem to be fully charged.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 949
Likes: 109
From: Fowler Colorado
The main thing is they need to be able to pull the load of the starter and the engine. Have them load tested. They can show 12 volts any time until you put a load on them and they’ll drop to slim to nothing
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,550
Likes: 2,034
From: North Texas
Well, you could have the starter freshened up if got good shop in town. Or do the 7.3 SD starter that a lot of guys do. Pull the VR on the alternator, I prefer to toss new brushes on a Motorcraft VR.
Clean all terminals real well. @knottyrope has a great thread on voltage drop and such. Learn it. Know it. Live it.
Remember, starter grounds to trans so clean there and alt grounds to bracket.
Clean all terminals real well. @knottyrope has a great thread on voltage drop and such. Learn it. Know it. Live it.
Remember, starter grounds to trans so clean there and alt grounds to bracket.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 152
Likes: 32
All good info. It is just weird that it started all of the sudden. Usually with batteries you have a slow death but there hasn't been any indication of that. The starter definitely does not crank as fast as other 7.3s I have heard but thought that was just due to age.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,550
Likes: 2,034
From: North Texas
The Braunschweiger looking early starter just has less *** to spin over the engine than the SD 7.3 unit or the big hoss Denso.
You may want to do an amp draw test and see if you have some previous hacker wiring somewhere to deal with too.
You may want to do an amp draw test and see if you have some previous hacker wiring somewhere to deal with too.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 949
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From: Fowler Colorado
Agree with the superduty starter. Great improvement. I always wanted to do the 6.7 conversation just for fun 
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 200
Likes: 36
From: NorCal
@knottyrope has a great thread on voltage drop and such. Learn it. Know it. Live it.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 152
Likes: 32
***UPDATE***
Turns out the culprit was the battery cable. Found a bit of corrosion on one of the terminals. Went down to Napa auto parts since they had the upgraded replacement cable in stock for $140+government theft. Installed and now the truck cranks and starts faster than I ever remember. Cut into the old one and found a decent amount of corrosion inside the cable itself. I remember an old mechanic friend of mine telling me years ago that if there is corrosion on the terminals, then there is already corrosion inside the cable. I will say that the cable is a bit of a bear to replace but well worth it. Even if your truck doesn't seem to have issues it might not be a bad investment if the cable has never been changed.
Turns out the culprit was the battery cable. Found a bit of corrosion on one of the terminals. Went down to Napa auto parts since they had the upgraded replacement cable in stock for $140+government theft. Installed and now the truck cranks and starts faster than I ever remember. Cut into the old one and found a decent amount of corrosion inside the cable itself. I remember an old mechanic friend of mine telling me years ago that if there is corrosion on the terminals, then there is already corrosion inside the cable. I will say that the cable is a bit of a bear to replace but well worth it. Even if your truck doesn't seem to have issues it might not be a bad investment if the cable has never been changed.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 152
Likes: 32
The nice thing was this was actually the less expensive route especially considering the current price of 2ga wire in my area. Additionally, the cable is all precut and shaped since this isn't really an easy replacement. I have seen military style battery posts but not sure of the benefits?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,410
Likes: 77
From: Plankinton, SD
Don't get me wrong, the factory one is a good piece. I just really like the military ones. Wires not that bad here. At least welding cable, which I use. Just bought over 40 feet for 140 bucks.
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