I tried to start my truck and the batteries were low...we charged them and she soon fired-up. Son came back from dump and I tried to start her up...starter just clicked (I assume it was the starter) like the battery's were dead. I was able to move both Pos Cable a bit but couldn't really tighten them...I assumed this was the rtouble...so I figured I might as well just replace the whole cable since the post won't tighten all the way (found one for 100.00)...would the starter make a clicking sound (like a dead battery) if it was bad or dose it sound more like battery cable? Batteries should be charged since he just pulled in after a dump run.

 

If the cable can't be tightened then i would replace the ends at least. bad cables can cause trouble in charging and starting. also they can lower the life of your starter, batteries and alternator. i used 0/1 welding cable to make a set of cables for my 86

 

Cut the bolts out and replace with 1/4" stainless bolts.

If you need to grind a little of the clamp off where the split is so it will tighten, while the bolt is out is a great time to do that.

1/0 cable is two sizes to small for the passenger side battery to the starter, that is 3/0 from the factory.

The cross over cable between batteries is 2/0.

 

Thanks Dave as always great advice, I'll try that before I but an expensive cable...does this sound like a cable problem? What does the starter do when it's worn-out? Just cease to function? If I’m not mistaken a gas truck/car with the same clicking is like a relay or voltage regulator because there's not enough juice, same for this F350 Diesel?

 

Actually the diesel has a relay, passenger side on the fender.
Then there is a solenoid on the starter where the battery cable ends.

Could be either, but if the battery cables are not tight, you probably are not getting enough juice down there.

And I am starting to have a problem with my starter relay.
Just clicks about 50% of the time.
But if I turn to start a couple times, the relay will make connection and the truck fires up just fine.

Things are starting to wear out, my glow plug relay took a crap last fall, now the fender mounted starter relay is doing the same thing.
Cheap electrical system parts, 23 years and they are dead with only 440,000 miles on them.

As I say this, is the clicking sound up high or does it sound down low by the starter?

If it is the upper relay, you can jump across the two large terminals and see if it cranks.

 

yes I think the clicking is more of a relay, once yesterday after a full charge it clicked a few times and I jumped in and threw the kid out and did a couple of quick switches of the key and it finally clicked and turned over...rather odd. Almost like a bad switch but if the battery connection isn't right maybe that would do that...or I'm thinking the starter isn't getting what she needs and starting to go bad...ugh.

 

Start with the cable ends, I would get new bolts, I always use longer 5/16 bolts with some big wide flat washers, this keeps the bolt ends from going into the cable end where a wrench won't get to them, then since your cable is already worn out, take the cable end off, put a nail/screw/ or something similar between the cable end and the battery post, then tighten it down really tight. I would recommend this on all four ends. The clicking sound can be a bad starter, bad solenoid, bad ends, or all of the above. There is a fender solenoid and a starter solenoid, it could be either. Make sure you are getting a good battery connection before you start replacing parts. Once you get a good connection, touch the two biggest prongs of your fender mount solenoid together, see if it spins or clicks. If you hear a click at the starter when you do this, and your cables are tight, you probably have starter troubles. If you need a starter, I would recommend some of these big name parts houses, while they may not sell the highest quality parts, most of them come with lifetime warranty, which is great if you plan on keeping the truck a while. People like me are who they do not take into account when they do these lifetime warranties, they think people are going to sell their vehicles after a few years, I needed an alternator the other day, took it back to AutoZone, they looked it up in their computer and said I bought one in 2001 and it was still under warranty.

 

two years ago my 88 started giving me problems with slow cranking. i knew it was not batteries, cause they were less than 6 months old. i bought a starter for it, and as i was disconnecting the batteries to put the starter in, i noticed the passenger cable was "pregnant"
i put a new cable on it, and everything was fine again till 2 weeks ago when the starter went.

it now just "CLUNK" down low at the starter when i turn the key.

all i am waiting for is it to get over 50º so i dont freeze changing the starter.

 

Thanks Andy and TJ some great info...I'll start as suggested at the cable ends and check that all first...my youngest boy did me a favor and when he parked it he put the front end up on a 6 foot high pile of beauty bark, so working on it will be fun ...can't back it down unless she runs cause she'll be in the street haha he said it looked like a Ford commercial! Going to drive me to drink I tell ya Thanjs guys

 

hehehe at least the front end of yours is up in the air.

the kids parked mine in the side yard, rite where all the water collects when it rains. it is now sitting on top of 6 inches of mud!!

 

aw geesh TJC I know what it means...

 

yup. it means i am picking him up at 9 am tomorrow morning, and he is putting the starter in it laying in the mud.

 

oh that'll show him!! good for you

 

I have actually found that many of the dead starters are actually dead solenoids on the starter.

But you have to remove the starter to change the solenoid, so while it is out you might as well replace it all.

Plus you can get a lifetime warranty on the starter, but not on the solenoid.

The second solenoid up high is a much easier/cheaper fix if that is it.

 

got cha Dave...I saw where Autozone sold one for little over 100+ minus core..this week-end I'll diagnose which problem I have thanks