Hard Start/no Power

Jeff Staples · August 10, 2009

Here's a problem I'm having and I hope someone can offer some insight.

Since Ive had the truck its been gradually getting harder to start, recently Ive had to let it crank about half a minute for it to start (FYI I have a electric choke).

Every so often(probably once every 2 weeks), I get in to start the car...turn it to the "On" position, all gauges start(battery gauge reads 13), everything has full power, but when I go to start it, all I get is a "click" and I lose all power to everything, like the battery is fully dead.

If I go out and move the posts around, I'll get power again, but only until I try to start it.

I did remove the cables one time and cleaned them and the posts...after that the truck started fine for 3-4 weeks, then the issue resurfaced...the posts/cables are still clean.

I did have an oil leak on the passenger side and it did drip on the starter, however since its been fixed its still getting harder to start.

So my question...whats at fault? I know it could be multiple things but Id like to know the most likely culprit before I go wasting money on stuff I dont have to fix since money is tight.

Id also like help to make the truck immediately start instead of crank crank crank start.

Thanks in advance for any help!

kuhl_530 · August 11, 2009

Remove all battery cables and clean your battery terminals, cable ends, and the cable studs on your starter. Bad/Dirty battery connections will imitate the signs of a dead battery but still show full voltage. But wait, there's more! If you're getting low amperage through the cables (because they're dirty) you will have low spark voltage, which could in turn explain the hard starting problem.

Hope that points you in the right direction!

Jeff Staples · August 11, 2009

Remove all battery cables and clean your battery terminals, cable ends, and the cable studs on your starter. Bad/Dirty battery connections will imitate the signs of a dead battery but still show full voltage. But wait, there's more! If you're getting low amperage through the cables (because they're dirty) you will have low spark voltage, which could in turn explain the hard starting problem.

Hope that points you in the right direction!

You were right, the cable that connects to the starter was corroded, I had removed all cables and cleaned them previously, but I had overlooked that one, figures thats where my problem was...lol

Thanks for the advice