LanceRobson

My M1008, which has been used several times a week and had been an easy starting truck, has had some starting issues lately. Previous to this it started up with no issues and cold weather wasn't an issue.

About 3 weeks ago, the start relay died and was replaced with a spare OEM relay. Last Tuesday, when it was only 8 degrees, it acted like the batteries were weak and went from slow cranking to no cranking and a chattering solenoid to nothing in a few seconds.

Slaving it didn't help. It didn't get any better than the starter solenoid clicking, if that, and the generator and wait lights were dim, even while the slave cables were hooked up. The glow plugs were drawing enough power to make a deuce's alternator belts squeal, which hasn't happened before or since.

After checking the battery terminals and charging the batteries, it wouldn't crank. The starter engaged for a bit (a second or less) and it went back to chattering.

A cell by cell test showed one weak cell in each battery (a matched set of 10 year old DEKA 6TLs) so I got a fresh set ready and cleaned all the connections at the buss bars, the battery terminals, the starter, the engine ground etc.

Still, all I'm getting is the solenoid chatter. Tomorrow, I'll swap in a different starter.

Other than that, has anyone got a suggestion?

Thanks

Lance