I've got a '94 F-350 7.3. I don't drive it too much. My typical driving is short runs 2-3 miles. When it's cold, the starter cranks the engine very slowly. Luckily, it fires as soon as it turns over once. The batteries are only a few years old.

The other day it wouldn't start and when jumped it, it wouldn't turn over either. It took almost a half an hour on the jumper w/ the other truck running (and charging) before it would crank. I went for a longer drive - 1.5 hours which should fully recharge the batteries. It cranked very fast shortly after the trip when the engine was still warm. Starting it a few days later cold, we were back to slow cranking.

My assumption is that the load from the glow plugs and starting is drawing the batteries down and my typically short hops don't fully recharge the batteries. (Does the thick folded ground strap on the glowplug relay always get really hot?)

I'm wondering if anyone else has had this type of behavior. Is there a higher output alternator that would charge the batteries better on shorter hops. Or maybe I just need new batteries (even though they're only 2 years old?).

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

Regards, DP

 

I would say the starter is shot mine did the same thing and a new starter worked perfectly spins over really fast now. Napa 160.00$ remanuf
Jeremy

 

Get the batteries load tested at an auto parts store.
The batteries must be disconnected when you load test them.
If the batteries are good, then you can think it is the starter.
Since you had to charge them for so long to get it to start I think the batteries are the problem though.

With some looking you can get either a 100 or a 130 amp alternator, they are costly though.

That folded piece of metal is not a ground strap, it is the conductor for power to the glow plugs. It is also part of the timing circuit for the glow plug controller.