Do I Have a Starter Problem

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Mar 9, 2022 | 07:11 AM

nelsongg

Thread Starter

Trailering

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 22

Likes: 0

Do I Have a Starter Problem

Truck doesn’t get used as much as it used to. When starting (first try) it barely turns over as if the batteries are dead. Turn the key to off, then turn to on, wait for glow plug light to go off, turn to start again and it spins up and starts albeit with a little less power than it should, but it starts. Thought it was the batteries since the wouldn’t charge past 12.4v even with the alternator pushing 14.4v into them. Batteries were a year and a half old, so I returned them to Costco. They gave me new ones. No change in the way it starts.
Do I have a starter problem?

Thanks

Mar 9, 2022 | 10:08 AM

Supercab

Lead Driver

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 5,374

Likes: 46

From: Palm Bay, Florida

IF your starter is THE ORIGINAL then you have done well.
MY L99's original starter got weak as you describe nearly 4 years ago.
I opted to spend the $$ on a REAL NIPENDENSO from CNC Fab.
They are costly at $335 plus shipping but will be the last starter you'll buy for your truck.
Mine spins so fast now that the front tires nearly dance off the ground...

Mar 9, 2022 | 10:47 AM

nelsongg

Thread Starter

Trailering

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 22

Likes: 0

Yes it is the original starter. So, your opinion is that it is the starter? Is checking for a substantial draw on the battery while it is being started a way to verify it is the starter?

thanks

Mar 9, 2022 | 07:46 PM

kbeefy

Cargo Master

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 2,332

Likes: 442

From: Eastern Washington

Checking current can tell you some things, but our engines are so big that the current expectations should be adjusted.
Brand new everything on my 7.3 still drew 250+ amps. Spun lots faster thought.

Check resistances on all cables and connections first, these trucks have a history of bad/corroded cables.

Mar 9, 2022 | 08:10 PM

Agate Flats

Mountain Pass

Joined: Dec 2020

Posts: 144

Likes: 24

From: Dallas, OR

My starter went out a few months ago and I had it rebuilt locally. With the rebuilt starter, it cranked way faster than it has in the past 5 years that I've had the truck.

Mar 9, 2022 | 08:20 PM

Walleye Hunter

Hotshot

Joined: Mar 2014

Posts: 10,750

Likes: 1,065

From: Douglassville, PA

The first thing to do is clean all contacts and I grease any contact I have open to prevent corrosion and increase conductivity. It might be your starter but it kind of bites when you replace a starter and still have the problem.