Slow cranking

[thirsty]

So after a long break on my truck I decided it was time to do something. First thing was to pull it out and clean the garage so I could have some room to work. I opened the hood to connect the battery only to find that I never disconnected it. It hasn't been started since last January so I put a charger on it. That didn't work so I assumed the battery was toast. Hooked a booster pack to it, that didn't do it. So I charged the booster pack to make sure it was good. All the time I was happily cleaning the garage getting ready to start work. When the booster was fully charged I tried it again. Still it would only turn over about one revolution and stop. I even took the battery out and tried it with just the booster. Same thing. Now I am getting really annoyed because all I want to do is start my truck. I go and get my daily driver and hook some cables up. Still one revolution real slow and stops. Got my poor daily driver about three grand in neutral, still wont spin fast enough to start it. Gave everything a quick once over and found nothing obvious....Grabbed a beer to think about this (today is my one day off this week so a beer was in order.).

This took me by surprise because everything was fine last time I started it and it's not like it is just giving me a fit and not starting, it just won't turn fast enough or more than a revolution. It has been sitting in a heated garage since January without being started.

Any guesses as to what I am going to find???

[zieg85]

A battery that is junk... Your guess not mine is what you will find...  Hey I am a poet but don't know it...

[Fairlane514]

Check your battery ground wire where it bolts to the engine and see if there is some corrosion.  Did you notice if any of the wires were getting hot while cranking?

[Stewart G Griffin]

So have we determined whether the battery is good or bad yet?   How about temporarily swapping the battery from the dailydriver into the truck?

[thirsty]

The battery is no good any more. I had it out and was using another also.
Removed the belts to make sure it wasn't the alternator or power steering pump.
Turned the engine over by hand.
Checked the cables and connections up until the starter.
I didn't notice if the cables got hot.

Next step will be to remove the starter and check those connections. I suspected the starter right along but have never had one go bad like that sitting in a dry shop, but it does have some age on it. I'll have to look around and see if I have another starter to try or borrow one before I buy another. It acts just like it is hot and heat soaked.

[bake74]

Next step will be to remove the starter and check those connections. I suspected the starter right along but have never had one go bad like that sitting in a dry shop, but it does have some age on it. I'll have to look around and see if I have another starter to try or borrow one before I buy another. It acts just like it is hot and heat soaked.

      After all you have checked, I would take the starter out and at least get it tested, they should be able to test it under load and tell you if it is good or not, or if it just need another solenoid maybe.
      I have seen winding's go bad from sitting too long and not being used,I have seen it in all kinds of motors and generators that I work on.  It is funny when the customer says the magic line " IT WORKED THE LAST TIME I USED IT", 3 - 6 years ago.

[Irish_Alley]

tap on the starter see if it helps. but im sure its the problem

[thirsty]

So I can finally put this issue to rest.
I it was the starter. I tried one and it did the same thing. Changed the positive cable and it did the same thing. I have been getting home late and haven't had much time. I took a spare starter from a friend that was a spare for a racecar that I knew worked and it fired right up.

[bake74]

     Glad you got it figured out.

[Irish_Alley]

weird how a second starter would do the same thing

[thirsty]

weird how a second starter would do the same thing

Some good luck huh?

I tried the first starter that I came across, had no idea of it's condition or origin. That's why I went and borrowed a good known one when I had time enough. Also didn't want to buy a new one if I didn't need it. Ruining my battery was a big enough waste of money for me.

[Irish_Alley]

oh so the 2nd starter was used and so was the third

[bake74]

weird how a second starter would do the same thing

     I have gotten 3 different starters from parts stores that were remanufactured and did not work, all on the same vehicle.  You have to be picky where you get a starter from.

[Irish_Alley]

i know, i cant count one one hand how many times i sold a part at autozone and it comes back soon after.