Fixing my starting issues!
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 7
From: Anchorage, AK
Fixing my starting issues!
We finally have a sunny day today and I would like to solve mmy starting issue. When I turn the key, I get a click most of the time.
This winter I replaced the starter, the solenoid on the fender and both batteries. I bought a volt meter but don't have the first clue on how to go about using this thing. Also hoping to fix my door locks today and perhaps my overhead console.
Thanks in advance for any help guys. I hope to have the internet again this fall.
This winter I replaced the starter, the solenoid on the fender and both batteries. I bought a volt meter but don't have the first clue on how to go about using this thing. Also hoping to fix my door locks today and perhaps my overhead console.
Thanks in advance for any help guys. I hope to have the internet again this fall.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,340
Likes: 2
Check your cables good. Make sure they are not corroded. You can always use baking soda and water to clean them. I use noalax on my battery connections but probably hard to find up there. To use the meter just set to v dc. Should have a straight line over the V. V ac should have the swirly line. If it is not auto ranging make sure you have it set for the correct V you are testing. Also check your alternator voltage while truck is running. Just put + lead on positive side of battery and neg on the other.
edit: Also check to make sure your cranking voltage is above 10.5 volts dc.
edit: Also check to make sure your cranking voltage is above 10.5 volts dc.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 2
From: Bend Oregon
I googled this
Step 1
Plug the probes into the meter. Red goes to the positive (+) and black to the negative (-).
Step 2
Turn the selector dial or switch to the type of measurement you want. To measure direct current - a battery, for example - use DCV. To measure alternating current, such as a wall outlet, use ACV.
Step 3
Choose the range setting. The dial may have options from 5 to 1000 on the DCV side and 10 to 1000 on the ACV side. The setting should be the top end of the voltage you are reading. Not all voltmeters have this setting.
Step 4
Turn the meter on.
Step 5
Hold the probes by the insulated handles and touch the red probe to the positive side of a DC circuit or either side of an AC circuit. Touch the other side with the black probe.
Step 6
Read the digital display or analog dial.
Read more: How to Use a Voltmeter | eHow.com How to Use a Voltmeter | eHow.com
Step 1
Plug the probes into the meter. Red goes to the positive (+) and black to the negative (-).
Step 2
Turn the selector dial or switch to the type of measurement you want. To measure direct current - a battery, for example - use DCV. To measure alternating current, such as a wall outlet, use ACV.
Step 3
Choose the range setting. The dial may have options from 5 to 1000 on the DCV side and 10 to 1000 on the ACV side. The setting should be the top end of the voltage you are reading. Not all voltmeters have this setting.
Step 4
Turn the meter on.
Step 5
Hold the probes by the insulated handles and touch the red probe to the positive side of a DC circuit or either side of an AC circuit. Touch the other side with the black probe.
Step 6
Read the digital display or analog dial.
Read more: How to Use a Voltmeter | eHow.com How to Use a Voltmeter | eHow.com
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
From: Buckingham, IA
You could be developing a bad ground cable which would cause your situation. If they develop a bad connection, they can get hot and burn the wires which then won't conduct electricity well. You could ohm them to check them but I have no clue what values you should be getting, probably zero or close to it. They also could be getting corroded under the insulation which would have the same symptoms. Hope you find the cause as these can be a bear to track down.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 7
From: Anchorage, AK
Thanks for the responses everyone. I seem to have an idea on how to use the voltage meter but I am intimidated on how to go about solving the issue and finding it. I am very new to electronics.
I checked the grounds this winter and they were snug but I will go over them again. If it wasn't too expensive I was considering replacing all the cables, since it feels like the only thing I have done yet.
TO be more clear on the issue, the truck sometimes starts right up. Very little correlation on temperature.
I checked the grounds this winter and they were snug but I will go over them again. If it wasn't too expensive I was considering replacing all the cables, since it feels like the only thing I have done yet.
TO be more clear on the issue, the truck sometimes starts right up. Very little correlation on temperature.
