Electical starting problem. need help

[issacdilldine]

Alright I have a '93 Ford f-250 with a NA 7.3 idi and they truck yesterday started fine in the morning and at lunch but when I went to start it 4 hours later it just clicked all the lights and power windows work fine and a load test showed the batteries weak but still good. The truck has a some bad glow plugs and usually takes 30 or so seconds to fire when not plugged in here. When trying to turn over you can here the starter engage and release off the flywheel but not turn it over. So could it be the starter solenoid is fried from the long cranking draw or what. Any advise would be helpfull. Thanks.

 

[Mulochico]

My question is: How weak are the batteries? These trucks need the batteries to be in good shape and the connections in good shape to turn over.

Check and clean all electrical connections. This will give you your best shot with "weak" batteries. If this doesn't work, replace the batteries with known good ones with the proper amp ratings.

Lights and power acc. need a lot less amps than the starter for these beasts. (From experience)

 

[lindstromjd]

Ford starter solenoids have been known to just go out without warning, too. It it just sits there and clicks, your relay might have gone out on you. But I'd still check the batteries, too.

 

[issacdilldine]

Well I had a grand prix, tuarus and a chevy 3500 HD try to jump start me(not all at the same time) and it still just clicked so I don't think its the batteries

 

[issacdilldine]

And its just a single click when I turn the key not several not shure if this helps any just trying to desribe it my best

 

[Can30Diesel]

Mine was doing similar stuff last year. Here is what it looked like when I pulled it..

The cable between the starter and solenoid was all green and crusty. Didn't do well in conductivity either. I knew the starter was shot so I took the casing off the wire to see how bad it was before I took the picture.

So don't rule out the starter for sure.

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[icanfixall]

With that amount of cranking time (30 seconds) my guess is the starter finally gave up. Can you hear where the click sound is coming from. Fender solenoid or down at the starter.. Weak batteries will kill a starter too. Slow cranking builds more heat in the windings and that burns up a starter. So does a long crank like you say you have done.

 

[lindstromjd]

If it's still clicking and the extra juice isn't doing it, then I say it's the starter relay. Starter relays going bad usually precede a bad starter, too.

 

[issacdilldine]

Well I just did a voltage test and got 12.66 volts all the way down to the starter so my step dad iis thinking it could be the starter hung up on the flywheelvso tomorrow I'm gunna turn the engine over backwards and se if that does it.

 

[icanfixall]

Well I just did a voltage test and got 12.66 volts all the way down to the starter so my step dad iis thinking it could be the starter hung up on the flywheelvso tomorrow I'm gunna turn the engine over backwards and se if that does it.

I feel this is wishfull thinking but whats the harm in that... Try doing this but please expect to be replacing the starter. fixing the reason for the long cranking is a much better way to fix this.

 

[Can30Diesel]

Yeah these are big starters, and I am sure you would hear if it was hanging up on the flywheel. I know when I replaced my starter, it was pretty much a night and day change to starting the truck.