Hello all,

I started having a problem cranking the engine last week...every time I would go to start the truck, the battery guage would go lower and lower until it didn't start yesterday. I went and got two new batteries (875 cca) and had the same problem after install (slow crank). The needle on the battery guage is between 8 and 14 when ignition is turned on, then drops to just above 8 when cranking, and bounces up to just over 14 after idling for a few seconds. When idling, it surges from above 14 to just below 14. When driving it stays above 14. Is this normal?

 

the heater in the intake will cause a big drop in voltage. I always turn the key on and wait till the heater is finished and then start the truck. After starting the heater will cycle and you will have the needle moving all over.It will settle down once the heaters have finished. Sound normal to me. Make sure all your grounds are clean . later Don T

 

Thanks Don T

 

If the ground wire for the battery wasn't directly connecting the frame, would that cause issues? I put in a leveling kit yesterday and it's between the head of the bolt and the lock washer. Sorry for the dumb question, I know almost nothing about electrical

 

yes a poor ground to the starter is most likely your problem. Clean all your grounds good and connect any that you have removed. jumper cables I have used to test grounds. Let us know how you make out. Later Don T

 

I looked over all of the grounds that I could see and all appear to be clean. I also re-tightened a loose negative battery clamp, but still have the same problem...
Could this be a starter that is starting to die?

 

I never re tighten a battery connection with out cleaning the area first. arching will cause problems in any connection. I use nolax on all my power connections.

 

Might not be the starter is junk, but the contacts inside are worn. Search starter contacts and you'll get the low down on how to replace them. Larry B has the rebuild kits for the starter. Mine is getting weak as well, with 2 fresh batteries it's still a bit slow to turn. When it's new it should sound like a mini on a 350.

 

Cranking the starter with low voltage eats one contact rapidly.
Replace the contacts first.
Don't get caught in the trap of trading in your high quality, expensive OEM starter for a junk Chinese "lifetime warrantied" auto parts starter.
You can get oversized contacts here> http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm
Installing them is a fairly easy job.

 

Pictures of the offender...

 

The starter was rebuilt with new housing, armiture, brushes and contacts and now has a 1 yr warranty. No wonder it was having a hard time cranking.......

Thanks to everyone for your help! This site is awesome