Diesel F350 won’t start

Broken Arrow

Broken Arrow

Heathen Pagan Witch
My husband’s f 350 diesel won’t start. I had it running on Tuesday but to took a bit of coaxing to get it to turn over. No issues while running errands, started right up. Tried to start it Wednesday and it cranked, didn’t catch, and all the gauges on the dash dropped down and flashed at me. It didn’t start

Same thing Thursday.

I put a volt meter on it this morning. Non cranking it read 11.8. Cranking it dropped down to 6.8

Am I correct to assume the battery is dead? I have not put it on a charger. I know I can pull it and have it load tested.
Don’t want to have to deal with a starter or alternator issue.
 
lisa

lisa

Veteran Member
What's the weather like where you are..I remember our diesels having issues starting on cold days...(of course this was years ago and maybe the industry fixed that issue on newer vehicles idk)
 
oleglass

oleglass

Contributing Member
I have an 02 F350, samething happened to me.
Bite the bullet and replace both batteries, problem solved.
If you have a block heater, helps to plug it in a few hours before needing truck. Diesels are hard to start in cold weather.
 
Jackpine Savage

Jackpine Savage

Veteran Member
How cold is it there?

1. Charge the battery.
2. Plug in the block heater for at least 3 hours.
3. If it doesn't start right off the bat, cycle the glow plugs a couple time before you crank it. (based off my 2002, not sure if the 1996 has a glow plug light?)

Your battery(ies) might be going bad. You might have some bad glow plugs or the glow plug relay might be bad.
 
Broken Arrow

Broken Arrow

Heathen Pagan Witch
Took both batteries down and had them tested. One was completely dead and the other wells drained but fine.
New one is in place, other one is charging. Hopefully this fixes it and I’m not looking at the alternator

checked the fuse link also and that was not blown.
I do use the block heater.
 
Raggedyman

Raggedyman

Res ipsa loquitur
BA
another thing to consider - if you aren't driving that vehicle much in the winter the extreme cold where you're at is hard on the battery. even here in WNC where we may get into the teens I will set up a trickle charger or battery tender on the tractor and the pickup neither of which get used that much this time of year. here's a link to wally werld - $29 well spent sister. keeps yer batteries topped off and happy :D Robot or human?
 
Broken Arrow

Broken Arrow

Heathen Pagan Witch
Well, shite just keeps getting worse. Trying to put the charged battery back in and found the terminal clamp has a hole in it. Now I have to try to figure out how to fix that damn thing.
 
Marie

Marie

Veteran Member
Broken Arrow said:
Well, shite just keeps getting worse. Trying to put the charged battery back in and found the terminal clamp has a hole in it. Now I have to try to figure out how to fix that damn thing.
Click to expand...
You have a way to post a picture. I'm unsure of what your saying.
 
rbt

rbt

Veteran Member
Batteries diesels are that way about every 5yrs, you go to start won’t, pretty common. Just replaced mine 360 dollars.
 
S

Sterling

Contributing Member
Nom nom, that battery acid just ate that terminal... You need to scrub the terminals more often, and use a felt ring around the base of the battery post... You can pick new ones up at the local parts store, along with a tool to scrub them and the felt rings.
 
D

dash8200

Senior Member
Looks like that hole will be no big deal as long as the terminal itself is stable and solid one piece. Clean the terminal with a wire brush and rinse with clean water only. You need a clean connection from the terminal to the anode.
 
Broken Arrow

Broken Arrow

Heathen Pagan Witch
Please give me a break here. I’m doing the best I can at the moment. I can’t afford to replace both batteries at the moment.
This is my hubby’s truck and he passed away 3 months ago. Taking care of the vehicles was his job. I’m sorry my battery terminal care is not up to snuff.
I’m trying to get a job and need the truck running to do that.
I am not a mechanic and this is not easy for me to do. I’m scared I’m going to screw something up and make it worse.
Too many conflicting ideas here.
 
tech

tech

Veteran Member
Broken Arrow said:
Please give me a break here. I’m doing the best I can at the moment. I can’t afford to replace both batteries at the moment.
This is my hubby’s truck and he passed away 3 months ago. Taking care of the vehicles was his job. I’m sorry my battery terminal care is not up to snuff.
I’m trying to get a job and need the truck running to do that.
I am not a mechanic and this is not easy for me to do. I’m scared I’m going to screw something up and make it worse.
Too many conflicting ideas here.
Click to expand...
Do the best you can...noone can ask for more :)
Just relax, don't get scared or flustered...
But as was mentioned above, plugging in the block heater really makes life easier on both the batteries and the starter.
 
9

9idrr

Veteran Member
Take your time, kiddo. Hopefully, your system will isolate the older battery while charging so the new one won't get overcharged 'til you can finish the replacement process for both. Just don't wait too long. A parts store, or even WallyWorld will have a new clamp to use if the cable is long enough to cut off with an inch or so left over. You might notice a bit of corrosion in the cable when you remove some of the insulation to attach the new clamp. If so, soak that end of the cable in water and baking soda 'til any bubbling stops.
Let us know how you're coming along.
 
Broken Arrow

Broken Arrow

Heathen Pagan Witch
Thank you to everyone for your input, knowledge and encouragement.

It's done, all fixed, clamp replaced, it starts, and runs. I'll take it Monday to the parts place and have them check the alternator for me. Battery meter on the dash is much happier at the higher end of normal.
 
Marie

Marie

Veteran Member
Broken Arrow said:
Please give me a break here. I’m doing the best I can at the moment. I can’t afford to replace both batteries at the moment.
This is my hubby’s truck and he passed away 3 months ago. Taking care of the vehicles was his job. I’m sorry my battery terminal care is not up to snuff.
I’m trying to get a job and need the truck running to do that.
I am not a mechanic and this is not easy for me to do. I’m scared I’m going to screw something up and make it worse.
Too many conflicting ideas here.
Click to expand...
You're doing wonderful! Sorry I was pulled into crazy running and couldn't get back on here.
You did fine!
 
F

FireDance

TB Fanatic
Just relax. I have never replaced nor jumped a car before in my life. But had to do both not long ago. Battery dead because all the electrical crap eats power from the battery slowly. You (and I) need a trickle charger and/or really better take the car for a ride so it doesn’t develop flat spots on the tires.

I’m the world’s worst at doing this, but it is well worth the gas $.

Anyone have a recommendation for one of the portable things that you can jumpstart with? These can be a lifesaver for those of us who are alone.
 
lisa

lisa

Veteran Member
[QUOTE="Broken Arrow, post: 8947514, member: 1798"
Thank you to everyone for your input, knowledge and encouragement.

It's done, all fixed, clamp replaced, it starts, and runs. I'll take it Monday to the parts place and have them check the alternator for me. Battery meter on the dash is much happier at the higher end of normal.
[/QUOTE]

And look at you, just like that you learned some new stuff about mechanics! You are doing fine and will will get stuff figured out. I try to take on new ...typically considered untraditional tasks when I can just so I can learn stuff. I changed out the toilet tank plumbing a couple of months ago just to see if I could...it was a success. Couples do tend to divide up the chores and when one dies the other is left trying to figure stuff out. I know there are stuff my dh does that I need to catch up on just in case and vice versa.
 
ShadowMan

ShadowMan

Designated Grumpy Old Fart
Clean your battery terminals AND check your engine ground. Make sure they are clean and firmly attached.

Also take a really good look at all the wires coming out of your electrical bundle in your engine compartment.

DW's Xterra wouldn't start one day after a snow storm....because some little furry critters got in and ate through two ground wires and the two wires going to the front fuel injector......$4,600 bucks later and a whole new engine wiring harness we're back on the road. THANK GOD it was covered under our USAA auto comprehensive insurance !!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top