Won't crank, battery ok

[drunk_monkey]

Okay, here's the deal: '00 7.3 stock, sat for two days and it started to get cold (around here anyway) 28-30°F at night. Tried to start it in the AM and it cranked for a while. Hit the glow plugs twice more and still nothing: no smoke, no trying, no nothing. Ran out batteries trying. Charged one of the batteries overnight, plugged in the block heater, and now it won't crank. Wait to start light comes on, fuel pump runs, I hit the key and hear a "clunk" from passenger side of truck, then nothing. Once, it cranked slowly a couple times, then nothing. A meter on the battery while cranking shows that key in "On" position runs voltage down to 11.8 or so, then "Start" doesn't really do anything to the voltage, like it's not even trying. Need to get to work on Monday! Help!

Oh yeah, my driveway is like a 30° slope, if it matters.

Thanks,
Dave

[bigcountrysg]

It sounds to me like you burned up the starter trying to start your engine. I suggest you remove starter and get it tested to see if it is good or not.

[drunk_monkey]

Yeah, I posted this right before I went outside with the wrenches. . .

I didn't crank for more than 15 sec at at time, honest!

But then, as far as I know this starter has 182K miles on it, so it might not take that much. . . . .
--Dave

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by drunk_monkey

Yeah, I posted this right before I went outside with the wrenches. . .

I didn't crank for more than 15 sec at at time, honest!

But then, as far as I know this starter has 182K miles on it, so it might not take that much. . . . .
--Dave

I am on starter number 3. The first one went out at 85,000 miles, the other one the wire kept coming loose on it so I got it swapped out for a new one. I got my starter from Autozone lifetime warranty. I have yet had any problems returning it and getting a new one for free.

[drunk_monkey]

sho 'nuff. New starter and BAM! Started right up. Mighta been the connections at the starter, they were pretty rough looking, but tight. But since I bought the new starter, and had taken the old one out already. . . might as well put it in there. Lifetime warranty and all.

Thanks bigcountry!