First I'd like to apologize for not responding right away but our internet service went down here today. I was indicating ohms with the 1.5.
Second...Wow! Great posts and thank you to all trying to solve this dilemma.
In my infinite genius I did perform the enitre fuse box test with only ONE battery disconnected. Had no idea I needed to disconnect both...so right there is a huge help.
Things that I have completely ruled out are battery terminal connections, battery grounds, alternator, and the batteries themselves. My description of what has been happening in my previous post is 100% accurate so I hope there are no doubts there, but let me just tell you what happened today.
Last night I installed a trickle charger just for *****s and grins. It has an automatic shutoff with an indicator that tells you when the batteries are completely topped off. The light told me the batteries were good to go so I unplugged the block heater and the charger, hopped in and fired off the plugs. By the way, am I correct about the buzzing sound being a fuel pump or is what I'm hearing the glow plugs? Anyway, that sound came on, I looked at the volt meter and it read about 14volts, I turned the key as soon as the "WTS" light shut off, and got about three weak revolutions before the radio started clicking and the volt meter fell to almost nothing. I thought "you've got to be *****ting me!" So I jumped out, opened the hood, checked the charger again and it still said good to go. So in total frustration and disbelief I get back in and turn the key to what seems like dead batteries for the first few seconds then she jumps back to life spinning the starter like I had two brand new batteries. Chime in at will.
Thanks again in advance!

 

What about the connections on the other end of battery wires, Ground and Starter?

 

Yup, they're all good.

 

i think it is a relay not making a good enough contact to send all the power to your starter

 

I am not sure if I am right, but I seem to remember years ago having a battery that I was told had a shorted plate in it. I think I remember it acting weird. What do you other guys think. Would a loose plate in one battery do this.

 

it could be the problem but i dont know if one plate will make the difference between the batteries acting new and the next time almost dead. you could try to jump start it and if it does the same thing then you ruled out a battery problem.

 

Would my trickle charger be telling me the batteries were 100% even if they weren't? I'm not following the jump start thing. Supposedly when I tried this morning both batteries were fully charged.

 

Well, at the risk of spending other people's money unnecessarily, I would replace the batteries. Disconnect every connection and sand/scrape until you see bright metal. Not just at the battery posts, but the ground cable on the block. The body grounds, everything. This here today gone tomorrow smacks of a loose/corroded connection somewhere that simply hasn't been found yet. Whether it be somewhere under the hood or a cracked bridge inside the battery.

 

I once again agree with Kwik. I don't know how old your batteries are, but each time they completely discharge the life is shortend. One more question just for my sake, have you noticed if any of your cables get hot during the not starting episodes?

 

You can take the batteries to just about any autoparts store and have them load tested, they can tell you if they are the problem.

If the batteries test ok then it might be the starter relay or starter itself.

Do you always have the problem the first time you crank it after it has set for a while, or is it totally random?
Any unusual white smoke once it strts or unexplained coolant disappearing? Is it possible you are having hydrolock problems?

 

If the batteries test good,, and all the connections are good i would tear into the starter. I have seen bad starters suck 2 batteries dead in about 10 secs or less while cranking. Starter could just need a simple brush rack.!

 

I'm thinking that's probably what I'm going to do. I just hope I don't find out it was the starter after I buy two new batteries. Do you think the optima yellows are worth the xtra $$?

 

Cables are not hot at all. If that really is the case about complete discharge shortening battery life then i guess I better get some batteries!

 

Ok now this is interesting. I did just happen to notice that my coolant level was slightly down yesterday. No white smoke, but please elaborate on hydrolock. What causes it and is it real bad?
Also, where would I access my starter relay?
Lastly, the problem (no juice whatsoever) does occur after it has set for a while. However, even if it doesn't happen in the morning you can hear the batteries deteriorating throughout the course of the day sometimes.

 

Is there any chance this has anything to do with the glowplugs in any way?