Hello, thank you for reading. I recently got stuck on the side of the road and the truck wouldn't start so I jumped the solenoid on fender w/knife and with the key in the on position and it started right up. I had replaced one of the batteries with a marine / RV deep cycle battery btw that was too big to fit in the battery box so I removed it. Also replaced the starter twice after the first one stayed engaged and burnt up. Now if my batteries are fully charged the starter stays engaged but if I disconnect the auxiliary battery or if the batteries are low then the truck starts and runs normally. Also, lately the truck hasn't been holding a charge even when it's running although the alternator tests good. The ignition switch is not sticking and both the new starter and solenoid are good. Any ideas? Where can I look for bad ground wires on the frame for these components? I'm frustrated as heck and have an appointment at the shop next week but I don't like handing money over so quickly, especially when it's in short supply lol. Thanks, Jake

 

@FormerFarmer/FramerJake , welcome to the FTE!

If you had a previous member name of FormerFarmer and have lost access to it for some reason, the sub-forum moderator here (Y2KW57) may be able to help you out. If not, then disregard.

Clearly you have a gremlin living in the engine bay, but in order to track it down, I have a few questions.

• What stalled or killed the engine that led you to being stuck on the side of the road?
• What batteries did you replace the marine deep cycle battery with and did you replace both of the batteries or just one?
• What auxiliary battery are you referring to? The 7.3L has a driver side and passenger side battery from the factory.
• What was the alternator voltage at when the engine was running?
• What was the driver side battery voltage at when the engine was running?
• What was the passenger side battery voltage at when the engine was running?
• There are two major grounds on either side of the engine toward the radiator, follow the cables down. Remove, clean and reattach each of those.
• Is there any corrosion at the base of the alternator where it bolts into the bracket?

I almost attached a pinpoint test and troubleshooting chart for the starting system of the 2000 7.3L, but don't feel it is narrowed down enough at this point.

 

Thank you for replying, today I discovered a few new things. My little hypothesis about the batteries have been thrown out the window because no matter how they were charged connected or disconnected the starter stays engaged after I started it today every time. To answer some of the questions I initially broke down on the side of the road because the starter solenoid had gone bad comment I took some bad advice and replaced the starter as well and when it was bolted on a wire twisted and touched another Bolt and it fried itself. I got another one and we made sure that the wires were good to go but this time the wires on the solenoid on the fender were reversed and that caused the starter to stay engaged. I'm so frustrated, I can't get readings while it's running anymore because it's not running correctly and I don't have leads long enough to do it by myself. I did find one frayed wire that was for the Triple gauge panel specifically the transmission temperature gauge that was poorly grounded on top of being chewed so I replaced it with a new one properly ground it and haven't even had a chance to run the truck for more than 2 seconds see if that has corrected anyting. What could be causing that starter to stay engaged intermittently? Why is my battery not charging correctly even though the alternator is almost new and working correctly? I'm going to get some sleep I haven't for a little while. TY again

 

I put the marine/RV battery on the drivers side, the passenger side battery is what I called the auxiliary one but I realize that's a misnomer. It's fairly new, 08/2020 and so I didn't replace it too when I pulled the driver's side battery that was old and weak.

I will get the reading from both batteries and the alternator while it's running in the AM as soon as I wake up...might be early afternoon lol