Won't start when hot
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Won't start when hot
I have an 86 F250 4x4 that has recently developed a starting problem. It cranks over and starts fine when cold, but after driving, even a few miles, it doesn't want to start. It almost acts like the batteries are going dead (turns over REALLY slow). I checked them and they are fine. Cleaned the connections (grounds are starting to show their age, but have good, clean contacts.
Can a starter going bad mimic a dead battery? Why would it be fine when the engine was cold, but not when hot?
Can a starter going bad mimic a dead battery? Why would it be fine when the engine was cold, but not when hot?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Thermal expansion of the starter.
Pay close attention to the passenger side positive battery terminal, is it very hot after you try to start the engine?
If so the problem may be a bad battery cable.
The corrosion inside cable on my 86 was so bad a couple years ago that the engine just stopped starting.
When the bad cable was first starting to act up, it acted like you describe.
Mine left me sit on night, I was so mad I took an angle grinder to the passenger side battery cable clamp and cut it open where the cable is.
There was so much corrosion inside the clamp I don't see how it had started for several years.
Also no start when hot is also a failing IP issue if the battery cables and starter are good.
Pay close attention to the passenger side positive battery terminal, is it very hot after you try to start the engine?
If so the problem may be a bad battery cable.
The corrosion inside cable on my 86 was so bad a couple years ago that the engine just stopped starting.
When the bad cable was first starting to act up, it acted like you describe.
Mine left me sit on night, I was so mad I took an angle grinder to the passenger side battery cable clamp and cut it open where the cable is.
There was so much corrosion inside the clamp I don't see how it had started for several years.
Also no start when hot is also a failing IP issue if the battery cables and starter are good.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1
From: Manitoba
Also no start when hot is also a failing IP issue if the battery cables and starter are good.
Next time it will not start HOT pour cool water over the rear of the IP....... if it starts right up the IP requires replacement. Might want to get the new IP money together before doing the test.......
Check for prices here........
http://www.mwfi.com/dieselPage/ford_69.htm
http://www.mwfi.com/dieselPage/ford_73.htm
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Thanks for the input, guys. I tried starting it again this morning and it is now doing the same thing when it's cold. I guess I'm going to lean toward replacing the cables first then look at the starter if that doesn't work.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
OK, I replaced the grounds tonight (in the pouring rain). No change. Just in case the batteries were discharged, I attempted to jump start it from another vehicle. No dice. Even after 20 minutes of charging, the starter still turned over like the batteries were almost dead.
The very first time I tried to start it (without the jump), I smelled a faint electrical burning smell in the vicinity of the passenger side battery. I looked and felt around for something burning or hot, but didn't find anything. I tried to start it a half a dozen more times (waiting about 5 minutes between attempts), I did not smell it again.
I also tried running the ground lead of the jumper cables directly to the starter to bypass any possible grounding issues, but got the same result. That should rule out bad ground cables at least. I should have done that before I decided to swap the grounds...
One thing I did notice is that the starter is quite warm, almost hot, after an attempt to start the truck. I have only been attempting to crank it for a few seconds (3-5) at a time.
Time to change the starter?
The very first time I tried to start it (without the jump), I smelled a faint electrical burning smell in the vicinity of the passenger side battery. I looked and felt around for something burning or hot, but didn't find anything. I tried to start it a half a dozen more times (waiting about 5 minutes between attempts), I did not smell it again.
I also tried running the ground lead of the jumper cables directly to the starter to bypass any possible grounding issues, but got the same result. That should rule out bad ground cables at least. I should have done that before I decided to swap the grounds...
One thing I did notice is that the starter is quite warm, almost hot, after an attempt to start the truck. I have only been attempting to crank it for a few seconds (3-5) at a time.
Time to change the starter?
Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: dryden,michigan
my truck did the same thing when it got warm it just didnt turn over fast enuff to start til i kept crankin it and totally fried the starter replaced it and never had a problem starting it again
Trending Topics
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 35
From: Virginia
starter drag
Usually when a bad starter (brushes worn) it will operate slowly when hot and satisfactory when its cold. I have also seen bad connections that were not consistant in function....sometimes good operation, sometimes poor
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
New User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Sounds a lot like a starter. Had a problem years ago with a chevy. When it was hot the starter would do nothing. After it cooled down it worked fine. Replaced starter and no more problems. I currently have a 1994 F250 non turbo diesel. Sometimes when I try to start the engine after it warms up it just clicks. After several tries it starts. I suspect this starter is going bad
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
I replaced the starter last night. It starts like a champ now.
That top bolt is a real pain. I don't have an extension long enough by itself, so I had to put a few of them together. I also found that if I positioned myself under the truck with my feet towards the front and my head towards the back, it was a whole lot easier to reach up there (I'm right-handed).
Thanks for the assist, guys.
That top bolt is a real pain. I don't have an extension long enough by itself, so I had to put a few of them together. I also found that if I positioned myself under the truck with my feet towards the front and my head towards the back, it was a whole lot easier to reach up there (I'm right-handed).
Thanks for the assist, guys.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
nminer1
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Jul 18, 2011 10:50 AM
chubrock108
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
22
Sep 3, 2010 07:51 PM
RAGO69
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
May 2, 2008 03:08 PM
ricklarose
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
10
Sep 28, 2006 09:10 AM