Starter/cable problem with the 5 Ton

[jpekarek]

Hey guys! I downloaded the manual and will begin troubleshooting this weekend. I wanted to ask first if there may be a common issue here I can check first and maybe save myself some time.

The other day I was cranking the engine for a while, (10-15 seconds) trying to start it, but it was only about 25 degrees outside and she didn't want to start so I quit. Now when I go to start it, the soelenoid cluncks and the fuel pump runs fine, but the engine will not crank. I cut and replaced all of the battery cable connections and still nothing. The connections on the starter look clean but no cranky!

Is there something I should check first that may be common?
Brushes? wiring? Cables?

Thank you for any help!

 

[topo]

one time I turned the truck off to change a tire on m52a2 and went to restart it and about the same thing . I thought maybe the engine locked up . turned out that one batteries went bad inside I was only getting 12 volts to the starter .

 

[jpekarek]

Good idea. I will certainly check that first.

 

[Amer-team]

Hope the battery was it. You should also have a preheater switch to the left of the steering column. Were you using that when cranking? An old trick for starting Cats, was to crank for 10 to 15, let it set for about 10 seconds, crank again and they would usually start up, with out using starting fluid or preheater. They build up a little pressure and a little heat and off they go. I have a 68 M54A2 and this is how it starts when cold. 25 is about as low as I have tried to start it.

 

[GHall]

Good idea. I will certainly check that first.

I'm having the same trouble, what did you end up figuring out? I just got done slow charging all 4 batteries disconnected with a 1.5 amp battery tender.

 

[ichudov]

I'm having the same trouble, what did you end up figuring out? I just got done slow charging all 4 batteries disconnected with a 1.5 amp battery tender.

What does your voltage gauge show when you attempt to crank?

 

[86m1028]

Could be a bad starter.

 

[GHall]

I'm thinkin it's a battery issue.. I'm hoping at least two of my four batteries are still good so I'll just do a two battery conversion since it hardly freezes here in the winter and see what happens!

 

[GHall]

Two battery conversion done and still no crank. I tried all the batteries for the two batt conversion after being charged for a long time. Voltage gauge is in the red when I turn the switches on, then when I hit the starter the gauge goes all the way down. Time to buy two new batteries?

 

[DJones]

I had the same thing happen on my new 925, went out the next morning and she cranked right up. I've been away for the past week so I'm going to take a closer look, as for now it is cranking fine.