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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 10:05 AM
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dragging starts

when i try to start my f350 in the morning it drags sometimes so ill turn off key restart and same thing it looks like my batteries are going dead so i turn key off and try again and it fires right up no drag is this my starter goin out only does this in morning not cold maybee 45 degrees after it warms up i can turn off and restart with no problems anyone had this experience thx
 
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 02:30 PM
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Winter is hard on batteries, which is probably the problem. Get a load check done on them.
 
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by jwhitetail
Winter is hard on batteries, which is probably the problem. Get a load check done on them.
after it starts then i can cut off and it will start no problem i think if it was the batteries it would do it all the time right???
 
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 07:36 PM
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Not necessarily. The warmed up batteries will have a fresh charge on them from the alternator, which could drain down over night. Also check the battery cables for corrosion. Most auto stores will do the load test for free (make sure they're tested individually) so that's where I would start.
 
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 08:18 PM
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What Chris said. I had an intermittent battery light and bazaar starting in the mornings. Checked the batteries and alt (all less than a year old) -- all good. But my positive terminals looked like @$$, so I just replaced them a couple hours ago. No more battery light and the starter seems to turn faster!!
 
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Old Mar 1, 2008 | 08:31 AM
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Exactly what Chris said. I was having the exact same problem until I got mine load tested yesterday. Passenger battery was OK, Driver battery read ZERO volts. Two new RedTop Optimas are now spinning my crank faster than I've heard it spin in the entire 29000 miles I've owned it!
 
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Old Mar 2, 2008 | 11:04 PM
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checked batts at part store and they tested good can it be the starter thats causing the dragging?? also when batteries were tested should have i taken off batterie cables or can they be tested with them connected??
 
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Old Mar 2, 2008 | 11:33 PM
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They need to be load tested independently with the cables off.
 
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Old Mar 3, 2008 | 02:39 PM
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driver batt was bad replaced both with 2 new optimas and still dragging but after 5 or 6 cycles it starts once it warms up a bit i can turn off and it starts right up???? this is really crazy HHHHEEEELLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
 
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Old Mar 3, 2008 | 03:21 PM
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Sounds like multiple problems, then. I'd have your starter checked, for sure. Also, if you see any signs of corrosion on the battery post connectors, you could have a battery cable issue.

On mine, when i fiddled with the cables last year while installing a new Carter fuel lift pump, I had 3-4 months of erratic prblems with the alarm system, but it settled down once it turned cool again. Ever since changing my batteries last Friday and having to move the cables around again, the same eletric gremlin has shown up again with my security system, and I have just about concluded that it is asssociated with my having moved the battery cables around a lot while getting the old bats out adn putting the new bats in. I am going to replace all my battery cables and also relocate both bats to behind my back seat (if they fit).
 
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Old Mar 3, 2008 | 03:27 PM
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jus pulled starter going to have it checked
 
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Old Mar 3, 2008 | 04:06 PM
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had starter tested 4 times and passed so its not the starter can it be the relay on pass fender??
 
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Old Mar 3, 2008 | 04:17 PM
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Maybe check the oil level. Just a thought.....
 
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Old Mar 3, 2008 | 06:43 PM
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Originally Posted by sand1
had starter tested 4 times and passed so its not the starter can it be the relay on pass fender??
A relay is an on / off type device so I wouldn't think so.

In addition to checking the cables as Pete suggested, also check the grounds. A weak or corroded ground can cause all sorts fo problems.

The next thing I would check would be lionsteves question about the oil. Is the oil full, and does it need to be changed? Remember the injectors fire off engine oil so that's a good (& cheap) place to start checking things.
 
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Old Mar 3, 2008 | 06:53 PM
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yes oil was changed 1 week ago and is full i jus recently changed to bio fuel a week ago could this be a factor this fuel im using seems to be thicker than diesel fuel???
 
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