7.3 Diesel: Starter, Battery or What??

[LMNRancher]

Has me stumped. 2002 Ford 7.3 will barely turn over, about 5 times. Tested battery it has 12.4 volt and battery cells all have full charge but 4 have 3/4 charge. After I charge the batteries by another car for 10 minutes it will turn over and start. After that it will runs good and will start without a problem, till it sits over night. Battery is charging 13.8 when running. The batteries are just about 5 year old.

First ideal is to replace batteries, but hate to spend $180.00 and then find out it is something else. ANY SUGGESTIONS

[HVAC SuperTech]

Remove and test each battery by itself. Sounds like you have a bad battery and its drainig the others down. You probably only have to replace'ome battery.

Sent from my Acer Android Tablet

[JSchuricht]

That sounds like batteries.

[JPilkinton]

mine does the same thing when it is super cold so i just be sure to plug it in every night so it starts o so easily in the morning and the heater is pretty much warm lol .. and its cause i need new batterys... trying to build up some money to buy new ford ones probably the best ones you can buy a little more than a regular one but twice the warranty and have a little more power than the others

[Nashotah7]

It is your batteries, time for some Die Hard Golds

[Turbostang500]

I say batts too.
maybe try unhooking both before sitting all night
Just to make sure you dont have a drain.
Im sure reguardless you need to change the batts.

[Frankman63]

I have a similar problem with a diesel van. Alternator is putting out about 14v when running battery reads 12.5 when cold. Going to bitr the bullet and replace the starter

[jesilvas]

Originally Posted by Frankman63

I have a similar problem with a diesel van. Alternator is putting out about 14v when running battery reads 12.5 when cold. Going to bitr the bullet and replace the starter

before wasting money, why don't you load test the batteries individually
Voltage is just part of it

My Samsung SGH-I997 made me send this.

[Dobbelaar]

unhook both batteries and load test them, get a clamp on ampmeter alternator should read 60 amp at idle and 100 with increased rpm ... if these dont work test starter or replace.