no cranking, lights dimming when i try to start.

[Ramon Triton]

just troubleshooting, consulting online hivemind, before calling for assistance.

truck sat in parking for a little over a week.

batt gauge has always been at high midpoint when running. truck
usually starts in one attempt.

no "battery not charging" warning lamp when running ever.

now, no cranking at all and lights go dim when ignition set to start.

tried with ac fan on (to see if current is low) and ac fan dies when i try to crank.

it has done this a few times before and i'd move transmission to N and it would start fine, not sure if that actually helped, my theory was it wasn't clicking into P and was possibly enabling anti theft.

any suggestions would be appreciated.

at any rate, rescue is at most an hour away and i'm thankfully just home and not stranded by the road side.

 

[Ramon Triton]

turned headlights on, fog lamps on (to see if current weak) attempted to start and in one click it roared to life!

so it is not lack of current from battery.

how to diagnose if loose connection or sticky/dying starter?

been reading up, some others have experienced similar situations. folks have mentioned possible loose connections on battery, relay, anti theft, and some other doodads.

gonna eliminate issues one by one. gives me something to do in the day aside from depleting the single malt shelf.

 

[riphip]

Clean battery cable ends & battery posts. Apply plenty of dielectric grease to clamps before tightening to posts

 

[Yupster Dog]

Do a voltage drop test to see where you are loosing power.
The wires on the starter are suspect.
Look carefully as the corrosion can be inside the insulation of the wire.

https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/voltage-drop-testing-for-no-start.26144/

 

[Ramon Triton]

ok thanks yupster, will do and report back.

just went for a 20 mile drive to heat up trans fluid and check levels.

starts fine and dandy for now and the fluid's clean too.