Intermittent no start after starting once

[ttcole1254]

This Bronco is about to hit the hay. I've replaced the alternator, starter, negative battery cable that was corroded, ignition switch, starter solenoid, and cleaned all the ground connections to the frame. But for some reason, after starting the truck once, running it for a bit, then shutting it back down, it refuses to start. It cranks, but extremely slowly.

The battery measures 12.9 volts with everything off, but 11.7 volts with the key in "On" which primes the fuel injectors and turns on the dash. Upon attempting to start, the battery drops to as low as 7 volts, and when I give up, the battery recovers to 11.3. Letting it sit for a few minutes brings it back to the 12.9.

If I throw a battery charger on it for an hour, it'll start like brand new. Battery measures 14 volts with the alternator running. We have tried a new battery as well, and the same thing happens.

If you guys know of anything it could be, I'm completely stumped. At this point I don't know what else there is.

Thanks!

 

[Rons beast]

Hey TT,

sounds like you have a high starter draw.  Consider all this:

You could have gotten a bad starter. Have a parts store do a draw test.

The + battery cable could be the problem. If it's original to the truck, I'd replace it first.  (I have witnessed good looking cables, causing a "no crank/ slow crank condition.)

Sometimes if there is an oil leak the oil seeps between the cable and the connections on the starter causing a high draw.  Clean up and repair the oil leak  ( don't take this as personal We don't know the condition of your truck.)

Your solenoid could be the issue. During the slow crank check voltage on both sides of the solenoid.

Your battery may be too small for the engine in your truck.

The battery may be defective...(though not likely if you tried others)

Your engine may be getting "tight"  after it warms.  When the engine  cranks slow, check and see if it cam be turned by hand, with the ignition OFF!  

Are you starting with the AC on, and the compressor is "tight".

There may be other things that others on the forum here can think of.

Good Luck

 

 

[ttcole1254]

Alright. I'll run the tests and let you know how it goes. I'll go get some battery cables tonight and re-do the positive as well. The AC has no freon, so it hasn't been used since the truck was purchased. It does seem to do better if the engine is cold, so its possible it could be getting tight when hot. Is there any way to fix that if that's what it is?

Also, I took the alternator and starter into a repair shop to get rebuilt. They found a lot wrong with the alternator, but not much with the starter. They told me the brushes looked a little short, and they fixed them. I can have both tested though to make sure they're good.

 

[Rons beast]

Hey tt,

 If you didn't buy a new or remanufactured starter, and just had a shop rebuild it my money is on the starter.  But do all the checks.

When I crank the beast (hot or cold) my battery voltage drops to only 10.3 to 10.3...a drop to 7 is massive.  That indicates the battery is done, the starter is done, the cable/s are bad, the connections are bad, The engine is tight. 

 

[ttcole1254]

Alright so after not even one test, the starter solenoid I bought at NAPA yesterday died. The engine would crank the second the battery was connected. Thought it was the ignition switch (replaced it yesterday when it shorted out from the recall), but even with it on the workbench the engine still tried to crank. Put the old solenoid back on, and took the battery to get load tested. The store told me the "new" battery was only measuring 65 cranking amps when it should have been 850. So I'll be getting a new battery soon and it should be good to go.

Chasing electrical problems can be a nightmare.

 

[Rons beast]

Hope it all works out for you......but....there is the possibility that the solenoid was damaged from too much amperage lowing through it.  Fingers crossed that you have the issues covered

Good Luck

keep us informed.

 

[ttcole1254]

The original solenoid is working just fine though... so I'm not sure. Hopefully a new battery sorts it out.

 

[ttcole1254]

The battery did it. Got a new battery, and so far so good! Got the new one tested before it was installed to make sure it was good to go. Will update the thread if anything changes. Thanks Ron for the great help!

 

[Rons beast]

Cool....Have Fun!