7.3 won't start (bad starter?)

[Josephs44]

Two weeks ago (immediately preceding my knee surgery ), my 95 started cranking slower and slower. It started about 4-5 times but, because it was getting worse, it finally wasn't able to start (barely turn over once).

I checked the batteries and they are fine. I cleaned the terminals really well (poor connection made my truck not start in the past) and it still won't turn over.

I'm wondering if it is the starter or maybe the terminal wires are corroded bad enough that they aren't doing their job properly.

What do you guys think?

[J. Wheeler]

Starter. just went through the same thing. acted like a dead bat. for a couple days and then it just slowed down to nothing. got lucky one time by tapping the starter, it got me back to the house and that was it.

[Josephs44]

Is there a test to see if it is only the solenoid?

[Josephs44]

any more ideas?

[WHICKER]

im having the same problem the trucks been down for 2 1/2 weeks replace starter, starter solenoid, starter relay, checked the batteries, checked fuse number 22 for the fuel bowl heater, all other fuses are good so im in the same boat..... good luck to you

[BartZ32tt]

Had the same issue. Once you pull the starter out, you can bench test the solenoid. Just pull the solenoid out and connect 12V positive to the big terminal and ground anywhere else. Piston should extend and retract. Save yourself the frustration and don't even bother going to O'Reilly to get it tested, their testers don't detect a bad solenoid (don't ask me how I know). You can also try shorting it out while someone turns the key to start it but that's very dangerous and I don't recommend it unless you absolutely know what you're doing. There's a good video on YouTube explaining how to bench test it, I'll search and report back if I find it. Also, buy a new starter online (or just a solenoid from the store if that's your problem), it's $97 shipped on eBay for an oem AND you get to keep your core! Take THAT Autozone! My solenoid was bad but winter is coming up so I decided to spend the extra $60 and get a brand new starter.

[BartZ32tt]

Here's the video. You'll enjoy his cheesy redneck nature but it's a good instructional demonstration on how to test the solenoid.

You Tube

You Tube

[HaysKSFirefighter]

One thing you guys might want to check would be the positive cable that runs to the starter. After about 235k mine was so corroded inside that it wouldn't put enough juice to the starter...had to replace that and the starter, havent had a problem since...It was a pain figuring it out thats for sure. Good luck!

[Josephs44]

Yeah, I first checked the cables before I did anything else. They were fine.

It turned out to be the starter. The first autoparts store I took it too tested it three time and it worked. The next two I took it to both said it was bad.

Ordered a new one, bolted it on, and she started right up...

[BartZ32tt]

Glad you got it figured out. Just for future reference for someone with this problem later on, to make sure the cables/batteries are good, you can check the voltage at the solenoid. If not 12+ volts, then check batteries.