I have a 97 2500 cummins diesel . My issue is when i go to start my truck and it turns over but very weak just replaced both batteries and connections are good after it starts it seems like theres quite a draw on the batteries for abot 20-30 seconds i know it cycles after you start it but this is a continuous drraw. I'm wondering if it might be the starter?

 

Hi,
I have the same truck and problem.
The first start in the day sounds like it is really low on battery power as the engine barely turns over but it starts, The second start of the day turns over alot faster.

My battery cable sparked when I rehooked it up, slight parasitic drain, I fixed that but still first start seems really week and if I wait a few days it is really really slow turning but again still starts. I heard here we should be able to wait 2 weeks without starting. I have to get a CCS test on both batteries soon.

 

Have you ever changed the contacts in the starter?
They get burned and cause a high amp draw, also if let go long enough they can weld together causing the starter to stay running and lead to a fire.

They are not expensive to change or hard to do once you have the starter out .

 

I've never changed the contacts I might just look into changing them .

 

You can buy upgraded/larger better than stock contacts and that is all that normally goes bad in the oem starter. Some get to the point of needing brushes but not very often since these engines start so quickly.

 

Got my larger starter contacts from Geno garage...Not that hard to install..

 

Contacts and instructions here> http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm

 

I had my 98 do something similar. The starter just kept getting slower and slower over the course of a month, until it stopped turning over. I had the batteries tested, and both were good. The starter had a lifetime warranty, so I took that in next. On the bench, it took about 15 seconds to fully spool up...so it was toast. New starter (at no charge) and the truck was good to go.

 

Get used to replacing it often, auto parts cheap azz Chinese starters rarely last over 10,000 miles. The lifetime warranty ones seem to be especially bad.
They're designed for gassers, not high compression diesel engines.

Best bet is to rebuild your OEM starter or pay around $350 for a new one that lasts.

 

This is true. My OEM starter is long gone...

 

i had the same problem awhile ago. so i checked the gounds one by one and tried starting after each ground. took 42 days. for me turend out to be the battery temp sensors was grounded. ran new wire and cleaned contact points and now it doesnt matter if i sit a day or a month starts the same everytime.