Help! Weird starting issue!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,191
Likes: 4
From: Blairsville,Ga
don't want to beat the same dead horse to much but the starter is something to look at
at the last mine got to where it wouldn't start hot without the glow plugs,sometimes had to heat it a couple times and up to four times when cold (85 to 95 deg outside)
at the first it just seemed to have to turn a little longer
at the last mine got to where it wouldn't start hot without the glow plugs,sometimes had to heat it a couple times and up to four times when cold (85 to 95 deg outside)
at the first it just seemed to have to turn a little longer
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 0
From: Parker, CO
Not to hijack a good thread but wanted to add that since I have had my truck for almost a month, as it gets colder I noticed that the engine would crank slower. I have two new Optima batteries and will be putting in two new alternators next week some time. I wait for the glow plug light to go off and then 2 seconds after I will crank the engine. I also just changed my oil to Rotella 5-40. When I put the batteries in I cleaned the ends as they were bad. I hope this info helps, and from one college student to another 
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,286
Likes: 263
From: North of Greenville
Ray, thanks for the reminder about the starter. I also want to rule out any potential issues with the electrical connections and/or HPOP ball check or IPR valve issues before changing out the starter or alternator.
Thanks, Andrew. My Optimas are only about 6 months old, and the terminal connectors at the battery are clean and tight from the disconnect/reconnect testing last week on them. Have not had a chance to check the other ends of the cables yet because Benjamin's had it at school al week, but will do this weekend after I get back from my trip.
I'm also running the Schaeffer's 9000 synthetic 5w40 oil.
AFAIK, both the Alt and Starter are all orignal, and I'll be more than glad to replace them with upgraded and more powerful units, but I just don't want to spend the pennies until I have to.
Thanks, Andrew. My Optimas are only about 6 months old, and the terminal connectors at the battery are clean and tight from the disconnect/reconnect testing last week on them. Have not had a chance to check the other ends of the cables yet because Benjamin's had it at school al week, but will do this weekend after I get back from my trip.
I'm also running the Schaeffer's 9000 synthetic 5w40 oil.
AFAIK, both the Alt and Starter are all orignal, and I'll be more than glad to replace them with upgraded and more powerful units, but I just don't want to spend the pennies until I have to.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 0
From: Parker, CO
O, sorry, I had originally bought a 160HD alt thinking that had a single alt system. Once I found out i did not, I sent it back to get two 110 units. The reason that I am changing out my alts is cuz they are original and with others having such weird electrical issues that were caused by the alternators I thought that some preventive maintenance was in order. Once I get the new ones in I will take the old ones to be tested. The other reason that I am replacing both is because I have a soft code stored in the PCM about a duel alt problem. I don't want to be stranded and I will have to replace them sometime, why not do it now?
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,286
Likes: 263
From: North of Greenville
I can follow that logic. Don't know about the soft code issue, bt I hope the replacement resolves that for you.
I getting ready to head out for the weekend (my office closes at noon on Friday's), and will be leaving to go out of town later, but I'll get back in here this evening sometime.
I getting ready to head out for the weekend (my office closes at noon on Friday's), and will be leaving to go out of town later, but I'll get back in here this evening sometime.
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
Like Dad said, we will do a thorough inspection when I get home. Two things to note that I did not mention in the first post:
1) I have not been waiting for the "wait to start" light to turn off before starting the engine. Dad corrected me on that last night, but I guess that might be a source for potential problems?
2) When I disconnected the batteries last night to get them checked, there was a little bit of white residue on the passenger side battery-I beleive it was on the positive post.
What you are saying was happening really is exactly opposite of what is going on now. Now it is closer to 1-2 seconds when hot, and 3-5 seconds when cold. Just for the record, I did start it like you told me to this morning, and it didn't make any weird sounds, it just took a little too long like I explained before.
My class is getting ready to start, so I need to go. I'll check back in later.
1) I have not been waiting for the "wait to start" light to turn off before starting the engine. Dad corrected me on that last night, but I guess that might be a source for potential problems?
2) When I disconnected the batteries last night to get them checked, there was a little bit of white residue on the passenger side battery-I beleive it was on the positive post.
What you are saying was happening really is exactly opposite of what is going on now. Now it is closer to 1-2 seconds when hot, and 3-5 seconds when cold. Just for the record, I did start it like you told me to this morning, and it didn't make any weird sounds, it just took a little too long like I explained before.
My class is getting ready to start, so I need to go. I'll check back in later.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Ok, I checked the HPOP level, and here's what I found...
There is a 15/16" space between the outside top of the HPOP and the oil level.
I don't know what that means, really, but there it is.
Also, that was with the engine still warm from the ~100 mile trip back home.
Hope that helps!
BTW, Andrew, I love your sig. I simply crack up every time I read that
There is a 15/16" space between the outside top of the HPOP and the oil level.
I don't know what that means, really, but there it is.
Also, that was with the engine still warm from the ~100 mile trip back home.
Hope that helps!
BTW, Andrew, I love your sig. I simply crack up every time I read that
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Ok, I checked the HPOP level, and here's what I found...
There is a 15/16" space between the outside top of the HPOP and the oil level.
I don't know what that means, really, but there it is.
Also, that was with the engine still warm from the ~100 mile trip back home.
Hope that helps!
There is a 15/16" space between the outside top of the HPOP and the oil level.
I don't know what that means, really, but there it is.
Also, that was with the engine still warm from the ~100 mile trip back home.
Hope that helps!
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 338
Likes: 1
From: Barbourville Ky
About the starting times; it is definitely starting and running better now that I am waiting for the glow plugs. However, there are still regular instances where it just turns over longer than it should. The weird thing is that it turns over slower, too. It sounds exactly like the battery or alternator is going bad, and there just isn't quite enough charge for the starter to turn it over at full speed.
If you will take the starter off of the truck,all you have to do is remove the end cap and look for yourself.A few of my customers have done this and asked me to replace the brushes only,but generally this is a short lived fix.(kinda like taking a bath and putting dirty socks back on.)
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
Andrew, you really ought to add that tag line I gave you for it.