Starter won’t work, Truck won’t work

[Clay Boy]

So a few weeks ago I replaced my dimmer switch, then a week after I tried to start my truck and it was dead. I jumped it with a work truck drove to meet up with my buddy came back to my house and shut off the truck. 30 minutes later I went out to start it, as you think it was dead, and much harder to start even with a jump. Now when I try to start it the battery just drains, the starter won’t work and we’ll I’m just trying to figure it out!

Does anyone know what this could be?

I have a 7.3 glow plug set up on the engine block that came how I bought it.

1987 6.9idi f250 4x4

 

[IDIBRONCO]

First your glow plug set up is normal. The 1987s had a 6.9, but they looked like a 7.3 externally. They even used the 7.3 style glow plug system.
Second, I'm guessing that you have a battery drain somewhere. Since you jump started the truck, drove it, shut it off, and then it was harder to jump start, it sounds like your alternator isn't charging to me. This may also be the source of the battery drain.
The starter not working could be several things. Is there any clicking when you try to use the starter? Have you tried jumping across the fender mounted solenoid in your pictures? What does that do? Hopefully, these questions will help to start you on the right path.

 

[WrenchWhore]

Was the dome light left on for a week which killed your batteries and put them into an early grave?

 

[IDIBOBS]

Soooo many possibilities don’t even know where to start. Unfortunately owning any truck but especially an old one you’re gonna have to get good with a power probe or you’re gonna have. To pay some one that is. I highly recommend you learn about car electrical starting systems in his does not sound like a diesel thing as much an a common electrical problem. Starter, starter solenoid, power draw, bad dome, bad switch, bad wiring…….

 

[Clay Boy]

First your glow plug set up is normal. The 1987s had a 6.9, but they looked like a 7.3 externally. They even used the 7.3 style glow plug system.
Second, I'm guessing that you have a battery drain somewhere. Since you jump started the truck, drove it, shut it off, and then it was harder to jump start, it sounds like your alternator isn't charging to me. This may also be the source of the battery drain.
The starter not working could be several things. Is there any clicking when you try to use the starter? Have you tried jumping across the fender mounted solenoid in your pictures? What does that do? Hopefully, these questions will help to start you on the right path.

I believe there is a battery drain within the cab light, buzzer and cargo light I’ve pulled that fuse for now until I find out what wire is grounding.

The last time I had it running all the accessories were extremely weak and I’ve replaced the alternator.

When trying to use the key to start the truck there is absolutely nothing happening except being able to turn on accessories and headlights.
I’ve tried jumping across the fender mounted solenoid and only get the starter to work slightly then it dies out.

I’ve been looking for what the factory glow plug set up was for my year and got multiple answers from searching on the web so I appreciate that for sure!

 

[Clay Boy]

Soooo many possibilities don’t even know where to start. Unfortunately owning any truck but especially an old one you’re gonna have to get good with a power probe or you’re gonna have. To pay some one that is. I highly recommend you learn about car electrical starting systems in his does not sound like a diesel thing as much an a common electrical problem. Starter, starter solenoid, power draw, bad dome, bad switch, bad wiring…….

I’ve been working on my power probing and testing getting a little better at it but I will have to check out some better books. I’m trying to figure out the wiring situation

 

[tradergem]

If your starter has seen a lot of use ( That is the number of times used to start the truck. ), it could just be worn out and need to be replaced. If your truck has batteries that are weak from not being charged up by the alternator or being drained by a parasitical drain a worn out starter will break the camel's back so to speak of the starting system.

 

[DaveBen]

Check your ground connections. They can cause your problems. Clean EVERY ONE of them.

 

[ihc1470]

1. Charge batteries and then load test to see if they are any good. Repair as needed.

2. Clean battery cable ends.

3. Install batteries connect postive cables on both batteries. Leave negative cable off both batteries. Using a test light go between the negative battery cable and neg post on one battery. If test light lights up you have a draw on the system. Repair as needed. If no draws on system connect both negative cables.

4. With known good batteries attempt starting. If it starts great. If not use volt meter and measure voltage drops between batteries and starter on positive and negative sides of system. Also measure cranking voltage.

5. Repair voltage drops as needed. If no voltage drops and large cranking voltage drop and slow cranking pull starter.

6. When you get it running measure charging voltage. Turn on all major electrical systems, lights, heater, etc. Voltage should be around 12.9 or so with engine RPM at least 1200. Shut off all loads, voltage should jump up to around 14.5 same RPM range.

7. Search EBay or other sources for the service manual for your truck. You can get them as a USB thumb drive and price is around $40.00. Very helpful when you have issues.