Let it sit...now it won't start!

[portlandmaine]

Hi all....I let my 2001 Econoline 350 7.3 sit for a couple of months and now it won't start. I threw a new battery in it but it won't turn over. Any ideas?

[Goose]

no cranking?

[portlandmaine]

it almost starts then clicks as if it's not getting enough power, even when it's being jumped by our other car.

[vitalidle]

Check all your battery connections and make sure they are tight. Does the van have a two battery setup? If it does you might have one bad battery draging the good one down.

[portlandmaine]

Okay. Now my husband says that the battery was new but had also been sitting for about two months. But we're jumping it and still no start, even after it sits for a while hhoked up to the running truck. What's happening?

[vitalidle]

I would charge the battery up with a charger overnight and then try it again. Your battery will be run down enough after a few months. Its possible your connections aren't making good contact with the jumper cables.

[vitalidle]

Also is it a good heavy duty battery with lots of cranking amps for a diesel engine?

[Logan]

Do you have a battery charger? This trucks have to have something like 10.4 volts min. to crank. If you are not getting that, you will need to charge it. Also, you can try using some WD40 to help it along. Use it like you would starter fluid. BUT NO STARTER FLUID! That may get ya headed in the right direction.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by vitalidle

Also is it a good heavy duty battery with lots of cranking amps for a diesel engine?

Good point, I always get batteries with at least 1000 CCA for these trucks.

[bryanbrown]

vital may be on to it, does it have two batteries? I've had one of my batteries go bad twice, and it will still crank, and seems to nearly start. When I put two new batteries in, it fires right up. Also, drain your fuel filter, or just change it.