I'm having an on going issue. I think its my batteries but....not too sure. When it first got cold here in NC (about 34F) my truck didn't want to start. I cycled the glow plugs three time as I was taught to do from my mechanic. but it didn't do much. after trying to start it 3 times, the batteries were drained. I had to jump my Excursion with my wife's Mini Van. After 20 minutes of cranking she finally fired up. I read in the forums and found my block heater plug and started plugging her up at night.

On some nights when the temp get as low as 29F, she turns really slow. I don't think its the starter because she cranks fast when it warms up. Its not the altenator because I pulled the cables of and let her run with no issues. When she's plugged up over night the GP light comes on and turns off almost instantly, when not plugged up it stays on for close to 20 sec.

Last night forgot to plug her up and this morning she just wouldn't start. I jumped it with the van again and it took an hour hooked to the van and the block heater plugged in. I cycled the GPs seemed like a million times. Whats the issue? Should I change batteries and glow plugs? I'm lost here. I've used Diesel Kleen (white bottle) and this still happens.

All help would be appreciated

thanx in advance,

Jay

 

I am leaning towards weak glowplugs but your batteries may be weak too, for comparison here our daily highs are under 0C (32F) right now and I am not plugging in yet and my glowplugs run about ten seconds and it starts fine. Only difference may be that I am using synthetic oil.

 

I'm using syn oil as well. I for got to mention that I did a battery test at school using a tester. And did a load test on the batteries, they passed, but it wasn't cold.

 

I how do you think the batteries have been in. Do you think they are getting old.

 

Slow Cranking = Weak Batteries.

You could have a starter going south but I would lean more twords the batteries. I had the same issue as you in February. I had 1 bad battery and the truck would barely start. I replaced both batteries and all has been well since. I still leave mine plugged in when its outside all night, temps are around 10-18* here overnight, 30* during the day, starts up fine now. I replaced mine with the MC batteries. My originals were 3 years old and had 53,000 miles on them. They may have gone early but I wasnt just going to replace 1 at a time.

Sarge

 

I've had this truck almost a year, so I really have no info on the batteries. I think they might even be stock. I checked them out and they are both the same brand but there is no brand name on eithet battery. It only does it when its cold (45 and below).

 

mine did the same thing sarge's did last winter. original batteries were 4 years old w/ ~60K on them, bought new ones and it's been good since then.

 

I had my batteries load tested and they tested good, 1 week later they were dead. Replaced both and all is well again in 6.0 land. Batteries were only 3 1/2 years old and it doesn't get real cold in s. ca. They were 6 months out of the b to b warranty.

 

Go with 2 new batteries. You may have a couple of weak cells which may only be a problem when it is cold. These trucks require alot of juice to start them, especially when you run the glowplugs for extended cycles. My truck is in a heated garage so I rarely plug it in but if I leave it outside for any reason and it is going to dip below 30 F I plug it in. I figure why put the extra abuse on it cranking it ice cold.

 

Thanks guys, and brand battery you recommend? I was just going to go with Autozone's Duralast Golds 103.99 each. But if you know of any that are better.....

 

I got DieHard Platinums for my '04 X 6.0L and love them. They are a 4 year replacement batt. My alt went out and drained the batts 3 mos after i got them and they replaced them. They are a little pricy but worth it i think...hope.

 

I had the same issue last year with the cold weather.

Now anything under 30 degress,its plugged in.It just
starts so much easier when warm,also bit the bullet
and installed two yellow top Optimas,no issues now.