need some more tips :)
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Blackwater, VA
need some more tips :)
this is gonna be a little redundant...sorry, but checked old threads and of course I still have questions
my truck has decided that 40-ish degrees F is too cold to start. personally, I agree, but that's beside the point lol
anyways, she hasn't been driven since about Labor Day cause of my vac pump and money issues but I've started her up regularly and moved her around the yard. she's been getting a little slow lately, but as of about 10 minutes ago, she'll barely even try to turn over. I got her started after about 3 tries around 9:30 tonight, shut her off and then realized the !@#$ cord won't reach...grrrrr, what gives?!? and to make it even more fun...I think we have glow plug issues too (white smoke on start up this week)
I gave up on my buddies giving me a hand with putting the new pump in, got paid last friday and supposed to be going over to visit the local stealership in the am
sooo...anything else I can try to get her started?
my truck has decided that 40-ish degrees F is too cold to start. personally, I agree, but that's beside the point lol
anyways, she hasn't been driven since about Labor Day cause of my vac pump and money issues but I've started her up regularly and moved her around the yard. she's been getting a little slow lately, but as of about 10 minutes ago, she'll barely even try to turn over. I got her started after about 3 tries around 9:30 tonight, shut her off and then realized the !@#$ cord won't reach...grrrrr, what gives?!? and to make it even more fun...I think we have glow plug issues too (white smoke on start up this week)
I gave up on my buddies giving me a hand with putting the new pump in, got paid last friday and supposed to be going over to visit the local stealership in the am
sooo...anything else I can try to get her started?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,608
Likes: 13
From: Belair md
if it cranks slow check the batteries. white smoke on start-up is normal. if its cranking slow then it will be much harder to start.
YouTube - cold day truck start
YouTube - cold day truck start
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,010
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From: Johnson City, TN.
Also if you are only moving it around the yard it will not get hot enough to keep it clean. I know exactly what you mean. I believe you need to get her cranked and drive her good to get her warm. Joe is right if she is cranking slow then check the batteries.
I personally think she just needs a good running. If you were near TN or NC anywhere I would be more than happy to help you with the pump. Sorry to hear you need to go to the stealership.
I personally think she just needs a good running. If you were near TN or NC anywhere I would be more than happy to help you with the pump. Sorry to hear you need to go to the stealership.
Playing in the Dirt
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Georgia
Turning over slow could be several things: (not in any order)
1: weak batteries = they need to be "load" tested (not just volt tested) seperately, meaning disconnect the battery cables and test each one (a bad battery will pull down a good one)
2: bad cable connections = check all battery cable connections on the batteries and the starter and the ground (they should be clean, no corrosion, and tight) a little grease will help keep them from corroding.
3: weak starter = to test the starter it will have to be removed and taken to an auto parts store that can test starters. They will test it for free.
If you have not been driving the truck or letting it run for awhile after moving it around, it may not have been running long enough to recharge the batteries, try putting a battery charger on them and charging them up and then try cranking it.
There are ways to test the Glow Plug system, but first we need to fix the slow cranking problem. Let us know what you find.
1: weak batteries = they need to be "load" tested (not just volt tested) seperately, meaning disconnect the battery cables and test each one (a bad battery will pull down a good one)
2: bad cable connections = check all battery cable connections on the batteries and the starter and the ground (they should be clean, no corrosion, and tight) a little grease will help keep them from corroding.
3: weak starter = to test the starter it will have to be removed and taken to an auto parts store that can test starters. They will test it for free.
If you have not been driving the truck or letting it run for awhile after moving it around, it may not have been running long enough to recharge the batteries, try putting a battery charger on them and charging them up and then try cranking it.
There are ways to test the Glow Plug system, but first we need to fix the slow cranking problem. Let us know what you find.
Last edited by plowhand; Oct 24, 2008 at 02:12 PM. Reason: spelling
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
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From: Melbourne, Ky
Agree with all of you guys. When you start it up, you need to let it run for a while just to charge the batterie back up from starting. If the glow plugs are working, they will continue to burn for about 2 minutes from the time you turn the ignition on. They draw a lot of current. Plowhand gave you 3 things to check. Assuming all is OK with those three, try turning the ignition on and waiting for one minute after the Wait To Start light goes out. What this does it lets the glow plugs heat the heads up more before you start cranking. You can also watch your volt meter and when the needle jumps up, that's when the glowplugs shut off, then try to start it.
When was the last time you put fuel in it? It's getting close to the time when they switch from summer fuel to winter fuel. Winter fuel will start easier in cold weather, as well as be able to stay liquid at colder temps. Straight diesel will get cloudy at around 40 and possibly gel at around 32. Most diesel fuel available does have some additives in it so that really shouldn't be an issue, but it could.
When was the last time you put fuel in it? It's getting close to the time when they switch from summer fuel to winter fuel. Winter fuel will start easier in cold weather, as well as be able to stay liquid at colder temps. Straight diesel will get cloudy at around 40 and possibly gel at around 32. Most diesel fuel available does have some additives in it so that really shouldn't be an issue, but it could.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
if it cranks slow check the batteries. white smoke on start-up is normal. if its cranking slow then it will be much harder to start.
YouTube - cold day truck start
YouTube - cold day truck start
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From: Blackwater, VA
thanks! think we're all good...til I bust something else, anyways!
it seemed strange that the batteries would quit just like that when I had just had her running, but I guess they did. she wouldn't start this morning so I skipped the dealership and saved $130 after all 
Long story short, two jump starts later and one stop to avoid overheating, I got her to the 4H center where I used to work and hung out with our maintenance crew "to borrow some tools." (our boss happened to be in NJ so...) Had the battery charging all afternoon, so she's happy now.
I ran her all over town and then a couple miles up the interstate for good measure...felt good, I've missed her!! now I just have to get used to NOT having to stomp the brakes with both feet anymore! lol
here's the source of all my recent woes:
Long story short, two jump starts later and one stop to avoid overheating, I got her to the 4H center where I used to work and hung out with our maintenance crew "to borrow some tools." (our boss happened to be in NJ so...) Had the battery charging all afternoon, so she's happy now.
I ran her all over town and then a couple miles up the interstate for good measure...felt good, I've missed her!! now I just have to get used to NOT having to stomp the brakes with both feet anymore! lol
here's the source of all my recent woes:
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
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From: Melbourne, Ky
Batteries are funny things. They can act fine, then one day, dead. When the weather changes is when they really seem to go. Too hot will take the life out of them, and when it gets cold, same thing.
Playing in the Dirt
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,302
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From: Southwest Georgia
My quess, locked up vacuum pump and no belt.
Glad that she's up and running.
Last edited by plowhand; Oct 24, 2008 at 08:44 PM. Reason: addition
Posting Guru
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You can do a starter draw test too, its like load testing the batteries but your checking out how much amperage the starter is drawing which tells alot.
Duh..
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From: Blackwater, VA
and tomorrow i'm putting her back to work...we are moving!! Fully-loaded 8000-lb trailer and two horses tomorrow, one more horse on monday, and then every single one of my worldly possessions by the 31st
Playing in the Dirt
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From: Southwest Georgia
and tomorrow i'm putting her back to work...