Hello,

Honestly, i'm a bit stumped with this one.

Overview: Batteries are new (2 months old) 1000 cranking amps, 850 cold cranking...all ends are new, and dieelectric grease was used.


I disconnected the 'connector' cable as-i-call-it... (the cable that ties both batteries together) and checked voltage from the PS battery Neg - to the driver's side end of the 'connector cable' it read 12.10v. I checked the PS battery at the terminals 12.10v DS battery is the same... cleaned the ring terminal and reinstalled and tightened....turned the ignition on (fuel heater comes on...it was 10 deg.) and the needle went to about 11V or so. When the heater shut off it SLOWLY moved to 12-ish... upon cranking the needle hit 9v or so... and the engine cranked over so slow it would NEVER fire...

got out and checked the voltage AGAIN....still 12.10v... i will check the grounds... again.

I've NEVER had an issue with it NEVER cranking (bad connection...) it just doesn't get any juice..

truck is at home charging.

J

 

Mine was cranking slow when I first got it. Changed batteries,cleaned all connections... still slow. Pulled starter to have a look and found worn out brushes. 1 New starter later and it starts just fine.

 

x2, and you'll need winter-weight oil..................

BTW - it's overcast and chilly upper 40's here, a far cry from the sunny 60's, earlier this week......................

 

You have a problem with the batteries , fully charged should 12.75 , either batteries , some thing is draining them , or the charging system .

 

starter.. i went through the same exact thing.

 

yep starter on both my trucks.Most likely the contacts are worn.Get the larry b ones and maybe a brush plate.Almost guranteed this is your problem.
http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm

 

I had the same kind of problem. I put this relay system in my truck and couldnt believe the difference;
http://startercontacts.com/relay.htm

I had changed my contacts in my truck a few months ago and it worked good, but after using this relay setup, I cant believe how much faster the starter spins now,,, well worth the money and 15-30 mins to install it.

 

I had a similar problem, after replacing starter it was good as new.

 

If you have time, try this link, as posted above - you won't be sorry -
http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm

 

Another vote for the brushes in the starter. Mine did the exact same thing. Two of the four brushes were worn out to the point of barely touching the rotor, and had some good arc marks on it. New starter, and it cranks like a dream.

 

LOL...great.. i go from thinking it's a $30 battery cable, to a $300 starter...lol

GMCTD- i'm using Rotella T Synthetic oil 5w-40... so i have the oil issue covered..

I'm surprised it would be the starter....as it's NEVER had a cranking issue, other than slow...

can the brushes be changed? approx. cost? or does the whole starter as a unit need to be changed?

thanks all!!

J

i'll check out the Larry B stuff...

 

If you have an automotive electric repair shop nearby they should have or be able to get brushes for it. Should cost about 50-75$ if they do it.

I was lucky as my buddy had a starter off a John Deere backhoe that had the same electrical parts in it, so I used them. Had larger contacts in the solenoid too, I guess cause its on heavy equipment.

 

I'm about to rebuild my starter too. New contacts, plunger, and brushes for me. Here's a how-to:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...tarter+rebuild

Great site ain't it?

 

Look at the foster truck site we posted on there,almost guaranteed that its simply the contacts a 30 dollar fix.

 

Ahhh, one more for the thread collection...