Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

intermittent starting problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 08:11 PM
  #1  
7.3mule's Avatar
7.3mule
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
intermittent starting problem

ok here goes.....

two weeks ago i was in the woods with the old man putting up a feeder and a new trail cam, the truck started fine at the house, went to same station to get fuel and it restarted fine drove twenty miles to the huntin spot and shut her off for about 45 min while we set everything up, get back in she cranks but wont start up, tried 4 times nothing swapped the batteries around and bam starts right up. fast forward to last night i go home for lunch trucks starts @ work, and @ home when i leave, go by the station for fuel fill up and pay come back and it cranks but no start, i try three times waiting 30m seconds in between and nothing, get my hammer out and tapped on the starter same thing, break oyut wrenches to swap batt again but decided to try one more time and bam up and running, started up fine 5 hours later, and again this evening. this is what i have done in this time span....

new optimas (red tops)
new large case 160 amp alt
batterys read 12.3 volts while cranking, my thinking is starter any other thoughts?
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 08:25 PM
  #2  
F350-6's Avatar
F350-6
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
What kind of shape are your battery cables in? What about the grounds? The starter is a possibility, but check the cables first. Did you get the old batteries load tested, or the alternator bench tested, or did you just replace them?
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 08:46 PM
  #3  
7.3mule's Avatar
7.3mule
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
the batterys i replaced were the originals and weak, the cables are good and tight cleaned them up real good with the new battery install, had the alternator tested at autozone(the old one) and puttin out low 12's , so i put on the new one. chalked it up as proactive maintenance
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 09:03 PM
  #4  
F350-6's Avatar
F350-6
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Did you check the other ends of the battery cables? Grounds, relay solenoid, and starter? Maybe it's time to get the starter tested. Low 12's from the alternator means it did need to be replaced.
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 09:07 PM
  #5  
megawatt00's Avatar
megawatt00
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
Club FTE Gold Member
I'm thinking starter. How does it crank over slow, fast? When was the last time the fuel filter was changed? How does it look?r

Edit: Check the starter itself to see if it is loose.
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 09:22 PM
  #6  
7.3mule's Avatar
7.3mule
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
fuel filter and oil was changed three weeks ago, new cps has been in for a month, i will physically inspect the starter in the morning. does any body run a denzo 5hp starter? thinkin about gettin one from foster trucks.
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 09:33 PM
  #7  
pastormiketkd's Avatar
pastormiketkd
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
This sounds too familiar. I just picked up a 2000 F 450. Stopped at a gas station and then a restaurant on the way home. The truck has brand new batteries and at both places it acted as though they were low. Had to stop cranking and wait a minute, then try again. Started on the second try at the restaurant, third at the gas station. Runs great when started - engine only has 80k miles.

I'll check all the cables and connections in the morning but I'm suspecting a draggy starter, too. I'll also get the alternator tested but the idiot gauge showed a steady charge all the way home (about 20 miles on the highway). So, I'm watching to see what you guys think on this problem.

And 7.3 mule - hope you don't think I'm hijacking your thread - it just sounds a lot like what I'm going through, too. thanks
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 09:37 PM
  #8  
megawatt00's Avatar
megawatt00
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
Club FTE Gold Member
A few guys have gotten them from here and been very very pleased with the product, customer service and the price:
NEW Ford 7.3 Diesel Starter Powerstroke Truck High Torque 2001-2006 17802: 17802 DB Electrical Starter-Alternator
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 09:46 PM
  #9  
megawatt00's Avatar
megawatt00
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by pastormiketkd
This sounds too familiar. I just picked up a 2000 F 450. Stopped at a gas station and then a restaurant on the way home. The truck has brand new batteries and at both places it acted as though they were low. Had to stop cranking and wait a minute, then try again. Started on the second try at the restaurant, third at the gas station. Runs great when started - engine only has 80k miles.

I'll check all the cables and connections in the morning but I'm suspecting a draggy starter, too. I'll also get the alternator tested but the idiot gauge showed a steady charge all the way home (about 20 miles on the highway). So, I'm watching to see what you guys think on this problem.

And 7.3 mule - hope you don't think I'm hijacking your thread - it just sounds a lot like what I'm going through, too. thanks
With the truck running put a DMM on the batteries and see what you voltage from the alternator is. You should be pushing 14 volts.
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 10:03 PM
  #10  
7.3mule's Avatar
7.3mule
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by pastormiketkd
This sounds too familiar. I just picked up a 2000 F 450. Stopped at a gas station and then a restaurant on the way home. The truck has brand new batteries and at both places it acted as though they were low. Had to stop cranking and wait a minute, then try again. Started on the second try at the restaurant, third at the gas station. Runs great when started - engine only has 80k miles.

I'll check all the cables and connections in the morning but I'm suspecting a draggy starter, too. I'll also get the alternator tested but the idiot gauge showed a steady charge all the way home (about 20 miles on the highway). So, I'm watching to see what you guys think on this problem.

And 7.3 mule - hope you don't think I'm hijacking your thread - it just sounds a lot like what I'm going through, too. thanks
not a problem at all my friend, in your case sounds like it could be your alt i'd check your batteries volts like some other has said. if you replace it i'd go with the large case(6G)
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 10:07 PM
  #11  
7.3mule's Avatar
7.3mule
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by megawatt00
A few guys have gotten them from here and been very very pleased with the product, customer service and the price:
NEW Ford 7.3 Diesel Starter Powerstroke Truck High Torque 2001-2006 17802: 17802 DB Electrical Starter-Alternator

dang thats a good price!! the one i was looking at was around 400 bucks!!
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 10:08 PM
  #12  
megawatt00's Avatar
megawatt00
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
Club FTE Gold Member
We can help you spend the extra $$$ you saved on some mods!!
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 10:18 PM
  #13  
7.3mule's Avatar
7.3mule
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
this is the starter i was looking at for 500 bucks....wow!! sounds like its the ***** though.
Ford
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 10:19 PM
  #14  
puddle jumper's Avatar
puddle jumper
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Port McNeill BC Canada
something not right. If you are just changing the battery's around all your doing is disconnecting the power. It sounds like your resetting something. I would get it scanned and see if something is out of perimeter and go from there.
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 10:30 PM
  #15  
7.3mule's Avatar
7.3mule
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
just swapped the batteries that one time, last night it fired up on its on after a few tries
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:35 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE