totally stumped on starting issue.

[builderboy]

Ok, on labor day weekend I found my truck witht he battery switch on. Best guess is either myself or where I park it someone left it on by accident. Batteries where toast and over six years old. I decided to purchase four new orginial batteries. Fast forward to yesterday. Took one battery out at a time and put one battery back. Went to start the truck and it started right up. Ran out of daylight and supper was ready. Boy, I couldn't wait to get it home to tinker on.

Now the problem/questions. Went to start it a little before noon its about 45 to 50 degrees outside. start to crank the engine... and I crank it... and crank it. I usually crank it for 3 to 4 seconds on each crank " cycle" when I go for the fourth "crank" cycle and it won't crank. It just ticks every time I try and start it.

I then take every terminal off the batteries one by one. open them up clean them and retighten. I also retightened every bolt that connects the wires to the terminals. I then retightened the bolts on the starter. It still does the same thing.

The black box on the fire wall clicks very loud every time it tries to start also.

The truck always starts even if it has set for a month on the second crank " cycle" Always, always always. It even started on the second crank when I picked it up from GL


Couple of questions?

Could it be that on of my battery cables is bad? The short cable that connects one neg to the other positive ( about 8 to 10 inches long) was very warm after I had the truck cranking.

Could I have totally missed a loose terminal?

Could it be the black box wasn't allowing it to start and then just finally laid down?

Wildcards, Am I totally missing what could be wrong?

I appreciate any and all ideas.

Builderboy

 

[doghead]

If one cable was hotter than the rest, I'd replace it first.

 

[wreckerman893]

Did you check the fuel shut off?

If the engine is turning over fast but not starting it sounds like a lack of fuel.

 

[builderboy]

It won't even turn over now. It just acts likes it has a bad connection. but I have checked every thing I can think of.

 

[Cycletek]

I know all your batteries are new, but one of them maybe bad outta the box........

 

[builderboy]

It started yesterday just fine. Then today I cranked and cranked.... then nothing!? and your right about this

 

[swbradley1]

Ok, after reading is it cranking and cranking now or just clicking. I can't tell from your post.

Disconnect at least one side of each battery and put a battery load tester on each on to make sure they are okay. I have the one from Harbor Freight and it works great and has found every marginal battery for me. Bad or weak battery change it out or charge each one individually up to the same point. When done put it back together.

If it is still clicking check voltage at the starter and if low disconnect batteries and clean all the terminals on the starter and try again.

It maybe the engine control box has gone bad.

If it is cranking then start looking for a fuel problem. Check to see if you have fuel at the closest point to the IP, if none work back towards the tank. Filters changes lately or ever?

In my case today with my backhoe some dumbazz didn't put any fuel in it. (Me)

 

[builderboy]

It is just clicking now.... after cranking and cranking. I didn't get the volt meter out today because I was... well frustrated. I even had a thinking beer and will attack it again in the morning.

I don't know if I cranked it long enough to have a fuel problem. cranked for a total of about 12 to 15 seconds. the truck always starts before then. It even started yesterday. Now it just clicks.

 

[crasheej]

See if you get anything past thr control box. If so check the starter. Mine stated one day but not the next. Had to get a new starter. Aren't these trucks fun when things go wrong?





ar

 

[builderboy]

Looks like I will get the volt meter out, call a friend (soldier B) and do some checking.

 

[builderboy]

well, worked on it today for about two hours. believe it's either a starter, or the dreaded black box.

 

[Floridianson]

Get you a good remote starter switch and go from hot on starter and the the trip lead on the starter and see if she cranks ok that way. Load testers good fire bad

 

[jarokoro]

did you check the voltage of the bats individually and then as a group?

 

[builderboy]

brand new batteries both sets give out about 25.44 volts and yess I have checked each battery seperatley. The voltage is good that way also.

thanks

 

[builderboy]

got it running !!! Is everyone else but me aware there are more than one style of solenoid on the starters? Heck there is even more than one style of starter! It has never started so fast!!!

 

[BAZYRKYR]

well, worked on it today for about two hours. believe it's either a starter, or the dreaded black box.

I seem to be having similar troubles to yours. What is this Black Box?????? Please tell me what...and where...that is. Also, where's the fuel switch is? Somebody told me I may have accidentally hit the fuel switch but if its not near the batteries or inside the cab I don't see how it happened. In any case...I really need to get this thing running and I don't know s h i t about these trucks so any info you could give me would be greatly appreciated.