Starting issues..need some starter advice!

[BlueBreadTruck]

Lately, my truck has been getting worse. I have to crank it 2 or 3 times to get it to fire.

It has all brand new ford glow plugs.

It cranks fast, then after a few seconds, slows down so it is barely turning over.

I swapped in 2 new, known good batteries, and cleaned all the battery terminals with dielelectric grease, also the starter terminal. same thing.

SO, I am thinking possibly the starter? Am I missing something else? Should I try and take the starter apart to clean the brushes, grease the bushings? thanks

 

[sootman73]

how old is the starter? did you ever have to re-prime the fuel system? Or did someone before you have it on there when they re-primed the fuel system? that puts a lot of strain on starters.

I would just buy a new db electrical starter for $100 and be done with it. i've had a year and a half now with my starter and it is awesome. prob one of the best things i've ever put on my truck.

 

[icanfixall]

It really sounds like the batteries are your starting issues. A weak starter is slow cranking from the first crank. Bad batteries begin turning the motor fast. Then they wear down and the cranking slows down. The slow turning is what kills starters so don't do it much. As the starter turns slower it builds lots of heat and that will ruin the armeture quickly. Is the current starter you have a gear reduction starter? If not you really need to install one. As posted above the DB units are great for the price...

 

[BlueBreadTruck]

yes, I have a gear reduction starter....as far as i know, its OEM with 64,000 miles.

I had thought it was the batteries, that is why I got 2 new ones yesterday.

Im going to pull the starter today and see if there are any issues with it, connection wise.

when I get some $$, where do i find a DB starter?

 

[BlueBreadTruck]

As a follow up, I pulled the starter and dissasembled it to find the inside filled with black powder. I cleaned the brushes and stator till it was shiney, put it back togther and it cranks like a brand new truck!! yay