Starting Problem Ideas?

[ARiley23]

98 5.4
So yesterday I went to start it up and turned the key and it clicked once did not start. Tried again and it started up no problem. Drove it around with multiple stops so I was starting it a few times and had no issues. I go out this morning to try and start it and nothing but a single click every time. Interior lights worked, radio worked, etc. Seemed like all normal power but would not start and the battery gauge on the instrument panel was in the normal spot. (I did not test the battery to see what the volts were at, I should of) But it would not start. It was like the battery was dead. So I charged up the battery and it started up no problem. I live in Michigan and past couple weeks of below zero weather we had it had no issues firing up. Anyone have any input thinking something may be draining the battery every so slightly that it does not have enough power to start it?
The neg and pos cables are clean, the terminal connections are new as of July 2017 and the battery terminal posts are clean as well. The connections there are all good not loose or anything.
Battery is new as of January 2017
Starter Relay new July 2017
Alternator new July 2017

 

[Bedrck47]

Just a dumb question

What is the battery voltage? You won't know until you test it Yes you should have.

Read the attached link It may help you.

http://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/your-battery-keeps-going-dead-the-parasitic-draw-test.24600/

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

how old are your cables?

 

[1955moose]

Besides doing a full load test of battery, and starter, you may want to thoroughly clean and tighten battery cables at battery, and starter solenoid on firewall. Most intermittent starting problems can be traced to a poor connection. You also want to be sure the positive cable going to the starter is clean and tight. In the severe weather you live in, any little thing can make your vehicle not start. Oreillys or auto zone can load test starter in vehicle. Be sure you have sufficient oil, and proper weight, 5w20 during winter months. Let us know what you find.

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[stamp11127]

Do you have a multimeter?

 

[ARiley23]

Do you have a multimeter?

Yes I do.

 

[Bedrck47]

Yes I do.

Then why didn't you check your battery voltage???

 

[ARiley23]

how old are your cables?

To be honest I am not sure.

 

[ARiley23]

Then why didn't you check your battery voltage???

Again like I said in my original post I should of. I Did not think about it at the time was in a rush to get going.

 

[ARiley23]

Besides doing a full load test of battery, and starter, you may want to thoroughly clean and tighten battery cables at battery, and starter solenoid on firewall. Most intermittent starting problems can be traced to a poor connection. You also want to be sure the positive cable going to the starter is clean and tight. In the severe weather you live in, any little thing can make your vehicle not start. Oreillys or auto zone can load test starter in vehicle. Be sure you have sufficient oil, and proper weight, 5w20 during winter months. Let us know what you find.

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Thank you for the info. I plan on going up to autozone to have everything all tested. I am running 5w20 as well.

 

[stamp11127]

Always determine your supply voltage before diagnosing electrical issues. Better to have battery at 100% state of charge.

Check voltage when attempting to start. Voltage should drop some. If it doesn't tap the starter body with a hammer. Try again.

Voltage drop test the starter circuit:
http://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/voltage-drop-testing-for-not-starting.26144/

Max limit is .5v

 

[ARiley23]

Update: just went out to start it and same thing. Tested the battery and it was at 11.99 volts.

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[Rich_007]

I thought it should be about 12.4 and not drop much under 10 when cranking.
Doing a static check/measurement with no load can be very misleading.

 

[ARiley23]

I thought it should be about 12.4 and not drop much under 10 when cranking.
Doing a static check/measurement with no load can be very misleading.

Yea my thoughts exactly that it should be no lower than 12.4 that's what I've heard/read.

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[stamp11127]

Battery state of charge:
12.6 = 100%
12.4 = 75%
12.2 = 50‰
12.0 = 25%

Less than 50% @0°F = screwed

Battery voltage while cranking should stay above 10.5 volts @80°F on a fully charged battery. I'm guessing at this one but at 0°F it should be above 9.6v

 

[ARiley23]

Battery state of charge:
12.6 = 100%
12.4 = 75%
12.2 = 50‰
12.0 = 25%

Less than 50% @0°F = screwed

Charged it up and same thing kept getting a click then tried the remote start for the hell of it that did not work at all no click then tried the key again and it started up.


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[ARiley23]

Right now with it running.

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[stamp11127]

VD test across the high current starter solenoid lugs while cranking. If less than .5v then vd test the positive high current side of the starting circuit (positive battery post to the large positive lug on the starter).

 

[ARiley23]

No one is around to help crank for me. I'm going to drive up to AutoZone to have everything all tested

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[stamp11127]

Well, good luck with that.