My truck has been getting harder to start over the past few months. It is not glow plug/GPR related. It sounds like the starter is turning slower and slower. New batteries and alternator about 1 year ago. Batteries have a full charge.

Anyone have a starter wear out and get slower but not just fail? Could it be the brushes are worn out and I can simply replace them, or should I replace the whole starter?

 

when mine wore out it just kept getting harder to start than it got where only one bank would fire, when I replaced it it was night and day difference.

 

Just now it spun slow like the batteries were dead - both at 12.68 V - and now it just goes click. I think it is dead. I will have to miss work and get to the auto parts store and replace it. CPS failed today and now the starter - tough day today for the Power Stroke.

 

If you have time, get a high torque starter from DB Electrical. $150 shipped to my door and the dang thing spins over so fast, it starts almost as soon as you turn the key!

...And yes I had a starter die slowly, and I have another one that stopped completely the other day. Still need to pull it off and see what's up.
I rebuilt a starter once, cost almost as much as buying a new one, when you add the cost of a new solenoid (which is what it needed inthe first place).

 

If your bateries are good, it probably your starter.
Like DZL Jim says, get one from DB electric.

 

Another vote for the high torque starter from DB Electric.

 

+1 on the DB hi torque starters... Another thing to check is your battery cables, mine rotted out from the inside out.... about $100 for a set on Ebay....

Slick

 

mine really was slowing down, and then one day we were leaving for a 600 mile trip in my truck, and the POS would not start... i put in a new starter, its really easy to do took like 15 minutes, much easier when you dont have to jack the vehicle up to get under it.

And now the thing starts and cranks like a champ! went from like 7-8 seconds to start, to now 2-3

 

Yup, the oem starters are easy to replace.
After a couple weeks, I'm still cussing from putting that DB starter in. Nice starter, but a real pain to put in...

 

Is this the starter that you are in reference too? Anybody know where is made?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-S...tem1e60204cf3Q

Rog

 

Oops, something happened. I got the above starter right off of DB Elect. site. Oh well.
Sorry.
Rog

 

Rog, this what you're talking about?
DB Electrical - Ford 7.3 Diesel Starter Powerstroke Truck HT 1994-2003 SND0355 17802

 

Way to go Robb. Now.....where is it made? Anybody know?
The price seems reasonable. beats the hell out of $430. +
Rog

 

It's Chinese unfortunately. I have just removed one from my truck after it has been failing lately. It didn't quite last a year. Check out the other thread towards the end (that ironically references this thread - lol):

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...e-starter.html


Bulla pointed out this starter:

Ford Super Starter

I wonder how it measures out against the DBE starter. I'll measure the DBE to compare and email Foster Truck.

DS

 

After 500,000 on my IDI I can tell you that I have replaced several starters.

They slow down so slowly that you don't realize how slow your engine is cranking over, right up till you replace the starter.

Put that new one in there, suddenly you realize no wonder it has been getting harder to start.