Alrighty folks, I apparently am having a cold start issue of some sort. It seems to happen every couple of times that the truck sits for 2 or 3 days. Weather has been in the 20s to 10s which I didn't think was all that cold.

When I turn the key all I get is a click. If I turn the key several times in a row it will click but eventually the starter seems to unstick and turn the truck over. However it only seems to turnover for about 10 to 15 seconds before the batteries run out of juice and then they remain dead.

This doesn't seem right to me. I would think the truck could sit for a while before it would be this dead. I realize that it should be plugged in and that I could get a set of batteries heaters for it but I wanted to test it in a sitting situation in case I go camping for a couple days and leave the truck parked for a while.

I am going to assume the starter is acting up since it sticks, but what could be up with the batteries? Both of these are brand new with better CCAs then the originals I had in the truck.

 

Hi Alex.

Since the batteries are new, check your terminals/connections and cables.. the batteries are going dead awful quick. Even if the battery is new if you have a crappy connection, it'd act the same way. Could be that you've been trying to start the truck with only a true connection to one battery.

Also it doesn't seem right that you only get a click out of the starter. Does it ever grind or make a "spinning" noise when you try to start the truck?

A starter, however, would be cranky whether you left it for one day or three, if it is indeed a failing starter issue.

When investigating cold start issues, the order of business is:

Check batteries
Check cables, terminals, connections for corrosion or wear
Check Glow plug relay
Ohm glow plugs
Check starter

 

Hey there Lisa! You do prove a good point, the ground on one of my batteries is a little loose. I am going into town tomorrow so I can spend an hour or two at Napa fixing my batteries my connections as well as even have my alternator tested out.

The starter doesn't do jack other then the clicking sound. Once the starter frees itself up, I can get the truck to start just by letting the glow plugs run through a cycle.

Ill start with the main connections while I am in Wasilla tomorrow and then see what happens. Fortunately I can walk to work but when it is dead it means using one of my room mate's dinky cars to jump start.

 

The trip to Napa sounds like a pretty good plan. If you clean the connections and terminals and everything is tight and you still have issues, you can start pulling stuff off and having it tested.

Sounds to me like you're having a voltage issue. One battery is making a good connection..so when you cycle the keys all of that juice is going towards charging the glow plugs. Once the glow plugs cycle though, there isn't enough to turn the starter.

I have to clean and resecure my connections every few months or I start getting the dreaded "buzz".

 

Good Morning Alex.. I have nothing to add, I agree with what Lisa has already said. Good Morning Lisa...

 

Morning Pat!

 

Hey Alex, how is the body repair going?

On the batteries, while you are at NAPA, have them load tested to be sure one isn't bad, even though they are new. Along with doing everything that Lisa said, do a current check with everything closed and turned off to see if there is a drain on the batteries when the truck is sitting. Since you have done a "little" work on the truck lately, there could be something shorting or whatever that is draining the batts.

 

Alex, my truck was acting similar, my batteries were the originals. After a few days setting it was dead. They tested @13.4 volts static. I had my son turn it over and the voltage dropped to 7 volts immediately.I replaced the batteries and issue resolved. You might try that.

 

I agree with getting the batts tested. Also clean the terminals with either some battery cleaner or baking soda and water. Once all the corrosion is cleaned off rinse with a small amount of water and reconnect batts to truck. It's also a good idea to put on some type of terminal protector spray or grease to help keep corrosion from building up so quickly. Think I got some at the parts store for like 2 bucks.

 

Make sure and put the terminal protection inside of the connection. That way it seals the connection and stops the oxidation from occurring.

 

Use Noalox it will seal and prevent the corrosion from coming back. It is an oxide inhibiting compound that is electrically conductive.

 

I was gonna bring that up Jim too, I use it and it works great.

 

I bought new battery connection bolts so that I can help secure a ground that is a bit loose. Had it happen to me last night after having used the truck all day. Started fine all day and then after sitting outside of a restauraunt for a couple hours it just wouldn't turn over. It was about 0 degrees last night. Plenty of battery power according to my gauge.
After about the 20th time it "broke loose" and turned over and fired right up.

 

This is a pic of the starter relay mounted on the passenger wheel well area(1999-2001 only). To check this relay pull off the wire the arrow is pointing to and check for voltage while someone turns the key to start. You should also feel or hear the relay operate. That wire runs directly to the starter solenoid at the starter. If you pul that wire off and use a jumper wire to feed it some battery the starter should crank. Sounds like you have a bad starter relay, bad contact in the relay or an intermmitent open in the wire to the starter. Hopefully this will help troubleshoot your problem.

 

Thanks Robin! I would rep ya but I got spread it around some more.

I really need to pick up a volt meter.