6.5 starter troubles.

[ALASKA]

Working on the girlfriends old 6.5 to get it ready for winter. It had a bad starter. Relay would click but the motor wouldn't spin. The batteries are both new, given they've been sitting for a year but have never been used to crank the truck. I bought a remaned starter from
Schucks. Got it in and everything hooked up. Hooked the batteries to my powerstroke and let it charge for about 15 minutes. Went to go fire it up and the starter did the same song and dance. Relay clicks then nothing. The truck has power to the dash and radio and lights. Gauges are fine and not freaking out.

Note: 2000 K3500. Been sitting 2 or 3 years.

Thoughts? I need this thing running before first snow which is just around the corner and I can't get it moved as I have no trailer.

 

[DieselCash]

Have you checked the wires going to the starter?

They have a tendency to corrode and break.

 

[ALASKA]

It was too dark last night to see much even with the flashlight. Sunset is a about 4 pm here in the winter. If the wires were corroded would the starter still contact?

 

[DieselCash]

It was too dark last night to see much even with the flashlight. Sunset is a about 4 pm here in the winter. If the wires were corroded would the starter still contact?

Yes, just not enough to start. These motors take a lot of energy to start. When it is cold out, even more.

I fully understand the weird hours of sun in Alaska. I lived in Fairbanks for almost 5 years.

If it is corroded it will be near the battery. We have seen them corroded pretty far down the cable.

 

[ALASKA]

Alright I'll check for that. Thanks! And yeah we were stationed at eielson for 3 years. I'm at Elmo now.

 

[DieselCash]

If you have the old starter have it bench tested, it might not be bad.

 

[JMJNet]

Make sure that back bracket is back on!!!

I agree with cables.
They tend to corrode and make sure that plastic/rubber covering the battery terminal is peeled off so you can clean the metal contact.

Are you sure the truck have good fuel in the tank and make sure the LP is operational.

 

[WarWagon]

Batteries that have been sitting for a year? :skep:
Were they on a auto charger of any sort?
If not they went dead in 30-90 days and froze. Sitting in a sulfated deep discharge state also helps ruin them. They don't have enough amps to spin the 10+ HP starter anymore.

You can't jump start a 6.2/6.5 with batteries in this shape - the jumper cables simply don't pass enough current. As a warning: Depending on the temperature they still could be frozen and an explosion hazard.

Swap a couple of known good batteries in for the temporary move and return them when done.

 

[Will L.]

Also, make sure the puck in between the two cables is clean.

 

[racedaymechanic]

I think new larger Battery cables are always a great Fix for a 6.5:hihi: