Calling All Brainiacs

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Oct 29, 2005 | 11:09 PM

Farmer Dean

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Calling All Brainiacs

Here's my problem on my 95 F350 (happens to be diesel). It barely cranks fast enough to start. The voltmeter gauge in the dash is showing low (looks like about 9 volts) voltage. So I isolated each battery and did a load test. Both tested a full 12 volts and tested Good on the load test. I hooked the batteries back up and did another load test at the starter to see if I was loosing voltage through possibly internally corroded cables. Not the case, it pulled a full 12 volts at the starter and tested Good under load.

When the motor starts the in dash voltmeter jumps to 12 volts, with the alternator input. It acts the same hot or cold. I can drive it for hours with good charging, shut it off, and it barely spins. If I hook up an additional battery booster (charger) nothing changes.

Anything sound familiar to anyone? My first inclination is to replace the starter, but I hate guessing at it. Is there a way to test the starter (amp draw) in the vehicle? Do you know what it should draw?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Signed, just about done plowing, Dean.

Oct 29, 2005 | 11:49 PM

Crash687

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From: MI

check for voltage drop across the starter solenoid and voltage at the starter. also check for any voltage between the engine and the ground on the battery during cranking.

Oct 30, 2005 | 06:58 AM

IB Tim

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From: 3rd Rock

...Welcome Farmer Dean, to Ford Truck Enthusiasts!

…..See you on the boards.

Oct 30, 2005 | 07:45 AM

1997F-350

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From: SHELTON, WA

thats exactly what my starter did. in the next few days i suspect you will walk outside and try to start her and it wont even spin it fast enough and will be smokin it and you will smell it. i got 1 for 160 at autozone with a lifetime warranty. cranks superfast now.

Oct 30, 2005 | 08:52 AM

tjbeggs

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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI

Yep my 95 did a similar thing twice and both times the lock washer under the nut holding the power strap that goes from the soleniod to the starter motor rusted out causing a bad connection. The first time I put a new nut and washer on and it worked for 6 months then it happened again and the stud broke taking it apart so i just put a $35 soleniod on it. Works great and saved me buying a whole starter.

Last edited by Kwikkordead; Oct 30, 2005 at 09:54 AM. Reason: typo

Oct 30, 2005 | 10:38 AM

ltfox

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Oct 2003

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From: CentralEastern Utah

Same here.....Mine cranked just fast enough to start. And I put it off untill she left me 30 minutes from home. Luckly mines a 5sp and I had a buddy come pull start me. New starter and no problems since!

Oct 30, 2005 | 07:50 PM

Farmer Dean

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Slow starter problem fixed

Thanks for all the feedback. Popped a new starter in this morning and it fixed all my problems (F350 related, that is). I was reluctant to just start trying parts, so when I heard others with the same symptoms remedy it with a starter...that was all a I needed to know. Thanks, Farmer Dean.