Question Engine spins slowly, until this morning

[CKyle494]

My '00 7.3L's engine was spinning slowly for the past couple months. I got 2 new batteries and it still spun over slowly. My uncle has a 7.3L in his Excursion and the starter spins his motor over VERY quickly. For the past couple of weeks, even after the truck had ran for a while, the motor would get to the point when shut off, the truck would crank slowly the first time for 3-4 seconds, shut it off and try it again and it would do better the second time and start. This morning I went to go to work and it cranked slowly, shut it back off and tried it again, no start. Tried it a 3rd time, again, no start, the 4th time I tried it, it cranked slowly and surged then just stopped all together. When I turn the key the starter doesn't engage or even try to engage, the lights on the dash seem fine and the none of the radio stuff has reset. I got out and could smell electrical burn smell. Is my starter TOAST? Or do you think it may just be my starter relay. I haven't had a chance to check it out because of work, but tomorrow morning I am off and hope to get a start on it, after it warms up some.... Thanks, Chris

 

[DaveBen]

You toasted either the starting solenoid or a cable going to the starter motor. People neglect checking the main cables until they can't start the truck. Slow cranking is a BIG CLUE. Clean ALL of your cables and make sure your ground cables are clean and tight. Good luck.

Dave

 

[Butch Cassidy]

Yep, as DaveBen says - check the solenoid and all the battery and starter cables for corrosion, breaks, loose connections.
Check for continuity on the above cables would also help.

Butch Cassidy

 

[JLDickmon]

more than likely you toasted the starter....

 

[CKyle494]

more than likely you toasted the starter....

Yep, sure did toast the starter, but hey it lasted 11 1/2 years and 252K miles. Now the thing spins so fast I'm shocked it doesn't throw the pistons out the heads...... Thanks for all the info on what to check prior to changing the starter, hopefully $169.00 well spent.....

 

[WD40]

Glad you got it fixed, we all hate dead trucks.
Doug

 

[IDSTROKER]

where did you get the starter and what brand..

 

[CKyle494]

I got it at O'Reilly Auto Parts, HERE is the link to it. It really spins over like I have never heard in a LONGGGGGGG time. So far I am really stoked about how it spins the thing over. Can't wait get COLD to try it out.