So I just bought a 1987 250 Reg. Cab 6.9. The guy I bought it from had not started it for about 2 weeks. You think he would have got her warmed up earlier in the day so she would fire right up for me, but no. Being that it was -5 out, the beast didn't want to start. The starter worked great and cranked it over no problem. Until we killed the batterys. So after jumping them a few times and finally putting a charger on it, it still wouldnt fire up. So we decided to pop start it. So we strapped up my little 91 s10 and yanked her down the road. She fired right up and there I went.

Now when its cold in the morning, the starter only clicks. The fender relay is good and the solenoid on the starter is clicking. When I pop start it and warm it up, the starter will work perfect, fires it up instantly.

I know its not the batteries. They both tested good with the volt meter and passed the load test.

I have no clue why it only works when its warm. The truck does leak a considerable amount of oil due to it needing valve cover gaskets and it being neglected. So oil is all over and gummed up on everything, including the starter.

Maybe that has something to do with it?

I bought a new starter but hoping I dont need it. The starter on the truck is only a year old.

 

Oil will fry the starter. When you buy one, it comes with a manufacture warning label that says oil will affect lift expectancy of starter.

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Also did you check each individual cell on both batteries with a hydrometer? That's how you really know weather the batteries are good or not. And did you have the batteries disconnected from each other for the load test? If not then you cannot count that as dependable. EACH battery should test for no less than 9.6v after under load for 15 seconds for half the cold cranking amps at 70 degrees. If they didn't pass, fully charge them and they should not go past 13.8v once fully charged. If they do, buy new batteries.

 

I didnt check each cell. But they were not connected when I volt tested and load tested them. I brought them into our shop to warm them up and then did each one separately.

They are both only 750 CCA. I would say thats the issue but then why did it crank for so long when it was ice cold after sitting for 2 weeks?

 

Fuel Return line fittings on top of the injectors, they have 2 little o-rings that dry out. Once they are dry, it allows air into a fuel system which is the most common this for these trucks

 

The guy claims that he did injector seals also. My question is why did it crank for so long the day I picked it up. But now she wont crank over, only click.

 

Crawl underneath, and tap the starter with a hammer lightly, and have someone crank while you do so. If it starts, I would look at your battery cables. My 95 used to do that on the daily, especially sucked when I was getting fuel at the gas station, but that's because my battery is over 10 years. I added distilled water to it, to bring it back to the proper level. VIOLA no more clicking. She also needs a new positive terminal, but that is an easy fix.

 

She starts up no problem when its warm. Ive tried tapping it with a hammer when trying to crank it and still nothing but a click. When the oil thickens up, is that creating too much resistance on the terminals or something?

 

I would toss on the new one after you clean it. Seems like that will be your best bet.

 

I don't like just being a parts changer, Id like to figure out why she just randomly quit. But, I definitely want to be able to start her in the meantime so that's what I'm gonna have to do. Thank you!

 

Oil, swap starts, hook up 12 volts to the starter with the teeth against a 2x4 if it eats the wood then you're good to go after you clean it up, then clean the mounting area of the starter, and get all the grime off of it. If it does not chew up the wood real good then it's toast