I have a weird issue with the starter. On a long trip (1hour+) if I stop and try to restart the truck it won't. On short trips(10-30min), it starts fine. I can jump start the engine on long trips and it starts fine. My guess is the starter is ok, but the battery or alternator is shot.

Does anyone have any ideas? I'm going to get the alternator and battery checked at Kragens or Autozone.

 

Geo , reminds me of a f-150 ranger i had ---did the same thing ,seems the person before me undersized the battery and the alternator wasnt recharging it on long trips .Short trips were a-ok long trips shut off the engine would drag to restart.Check both battery and alternatorand see if the battery is the right size class for your vehicle TR

 

Also check to make sure that the starter isnt getting overheated. If there is no heat shield then the longer trips will overheat, (From the engine heat), the starter and cause probs starting.

 

also check the timing,may be alittle advanced and as the truck gets warm becomes harder to start.My old ford did this,cold no problem as soon as it got warm no way without a boost or let it cool.Try it warm it up MARK then losen dis and retard the timing a bit and hit the key.If not put back to mark and didn't cost you anything but time.

 

Well when I jump start the engine it turns over right away so it might not be the starter but I'll check that too. Thanks.

 

Just went to Autozone to get the battery checked and it's fine. Looks like I may have a bad starter.

The last time I couldn't start the engine I got a jump and it fired right up. Would this be consistent with a bad starter?

 

did you try the timing?

 

Not yet, I'll give that a shot too. Thanks.

 

Probaly just durring the time it took for you to hook up the jumpstart the starter cooled off. That combined with the extra cranking amps from the second battery would do it.

My starter cranks slow if I restart right after driving for a long time (like over an hour). But I have never not have it start. It goes back to normal after sitting for a while. I assume this is due to heatsoak in the starter motor.

FYI: I am very impressed with the starting system on my bronco. This has been the coldest winter in my life time. The Bronco has started ever morning on the first key turn. This includes 14 or 15 days of below zero temps (two were -22 and -17 degrees).

 

Thats my though on the post thats its the heat with the starter , Mary kate does it do this even after an hour drive in freezin temps? Any how i wont complain about 27degree lows in the south. -TR

 

No it only happens when it is warm out.