starts sometimes
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Dickinson
starts sometimes
OK first 2001 auto 7.3.
I get in the truck and turn the key and hear a click sound like the starter is bad. Check the batteries there at 13 volt look at starter no wires lose, and it is not the gear shifter. replaced starter, replaced starter solenoid. get back in truck starts fine. few days later no start just a click turn the key 4 to 5 times and it starts. this happens at random times any help
I get in the truck and turn the key and hear a click sound like the starter is bad. Check the batteries there at 13 volt look at starter no wires lose, and it is not the gear shifter. replaced starter, replaced starter solenoid. get back in truck starts fine. few days later no start just a click turn the key 4 to 5 times and it starts. this happens at random times any help
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,054
Likes: 0
From: HOUSTON, TX
HA! I have no idea. I am far from a mechanic I just know how a few things work. Wish I could have been of more help, but someone here WILL know. Sometimes I like to post to keep a thread new for someone so it can stay seen, hoping it will get answered.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,054
Likes: 0
From: HOUSTON, TX
I found this on another site Ehow.
Step 1Open the hood and set the dial on your voltmeter to "volts."
Step 2Touch the red lead of the voltmeter to the power terminal on the battery.
Step 3Touch the black lead on the voltmeter to the negative terminal on the battery.
Step 4Check the voltage output. The output should be 12.6 volts. If it is less than this, the battery is discharged. If the voltmeter reads anything below 12.3 volts, it is completely dead and needs to be replaced.
Step 5Pull down the fuse panel cover inside the cabin of your vehicle. Remove the fuse for the starter with the supplied fuse puller (in the fuse box). Check the metal strip inside the fuse to make sure it is not burnt or broken. If it is, replace the fuse with another fuse of the same amperage.
Step 6Once you've determined that the fuses are good, insert the key into the ignition and turn the key. If the vehicle won't start and you don't hear a "click" when you turn the ignition to the crank position, the ignition switch has failed and needs to be replaced.
Step 1Open the hood and set the dial on your voltmeter to "volts."
Step 2Touch the red lead of the voltmeter to the power terminal on the battery.
Step 3Touch the black lead on the voltmeter to the negative terminal on the battery.
Step 4Check the voltage output. The output should be 12.6 volts. If it is less than this, the battery is discharged. If the voltmeter reads anything below 12.3 volts, it is completely dead and needs to be replaced.
Step 5Pull down the fuse panel cover inside the cabin of your vehicle. Remove the fuse for the starter with the supplied fuse puller (in the fuse box). Check the metal strip inside the fuse to make sure it is not burnt or broken. If it is, replace the fuse with another fuse of the same amperage.
Step 6Once you've determined that the fuses are good, insert the key into the ignition and turn the key. If the vehicle won't start and you don't hear a "click" when you turn the ignition to the crank position, the ignition switch has failed and needs to be replaced.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,054
Likes: 0
From: HOUSTON, TX
Yeah that sound more appropriate. A wire with some corrosion. May try an trace all the wires if possible. But I have a feeling someone will better help than I can
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 107
From: BoCoMo
Starters are not cheap. Did you have your old one tested out before you replaced it? The truck needs two good batteries to start it. Fully disconnect one and test them in isolation. Clean all posts on the batteries, pos and neg. Remove the Neg ground from the frame and clean it. At the starter, clean the connections and the area that the starter seats in for a good ground.
Test results and keep your AAA card near by.
The same issue happened to me last week (one time) and I have never found out 'why'. please post what you find out.
Test results and keep your AAA card near by.
The same issue happened to me last week (one time) and I have never found out 'why'. please post what you find out.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 107
From: BoCoMo
The weaker battery will always draw the stronger one down to it's level. Have them both checked. I know that it may be a hard hit in the billfold, but it is better to change both out at the same time, because the new one will loose its' higher charge faster because of the 'old' one.