Need help Motor slow cranking

[rollnthunder]

Ok here it goes i have a 2000 Fl-106 with a detroit engine.I have the block heater plugged in and it seems to be working the side of the motor is luke warm.I go to start it and it cranks really slow.I have had the batteries tested at 2 different places and they are about a year old.( 3 batteries)I have also pulled all the battery cables loose and cleaned them and reassembled and used protectant spray.When i got to start it the volt gauge will be up around 12 to 13 volts but when i crank it they will drop to 11 or so.And it cranks really slow.Now if i go and fire up the generator and let it run for a 1hr or so it will start.I checked the batteries volts and they where at 12.5 before starting the generator so i dont think its a Electrical Draw.Everything is off.Could it be the starter is dragging and drawing to much current.Also even when its warmed up i dont think it cranks all that fast.

 

[RichM]

What type of oil are you running. If you are running single weight of 40-50 that will act as glue when the engine is cold. 10-40 is the way to go in the winter.

 

[rollnthunder]

Well i have always ran 15w40 year around and never had a problem with any of my trucks.Its is very hard to find 10w40 diesel oil around here.

 

[RichM]

15 - 40 should be OK. Something is drawing lots of current to start up. I had a similar situation with a 8.3 Cummins,bought new batteries with no help and it turned out to be the starter.

 

[rollnthunder]

Well im going to go get a clamp on style volt meter and see if i can measure the amp draw.I call Freightshaker and they told me it should be around 300 to 350 if its anything higher its the starter.Im also peak charging my batteries as we speak and i am going to unhook the batteries over night to make sure there isnt a drain.I figure if i hook them up and it still dont start i would almost have to my money on the starter or maybe a ground.I really think starter.Because the the generator is acting like a boost charger its giving it a 50 or so amps extra to pull then it will start

 

[Mudflap]

Starters do wear out and will ultimately crank the engine slower. Mudflap

 

[Deville]

O yea its the starter, I just put one in mine a few weeks ago, when those things go bad THEY GO BAD! they draw off the batterys somthing fierce. its about 300 to replace, save yourself another $300 on a tow and bring it in NOW! you could always use the hammer method, but that only works for so long

 

[rollnthunder]

I do understand that but at $300 and this close the holidays....I would like to see what people have to say before i bit the bullet on this one.NEver know someone may have had the same problem or might know a trick to figuring it ....

 

[Mudflap]

For those not familiar with the hammer or wrench method it involves rapping the starter casing with a wrench or hammer to get another start out of it. Not fun and it rarely works when it's really cold out. The shop can test the starting system, but in having owned an FL106 many times the shop's guess is a lot more expensive than your own. If you have checked the obvious that being the batteries and cable resistances, the only piece left is the starter. It has a solenoid, but on the Delco/Remy starter the solenoid is an integral part of the starter assembly. With key on my old FL106 would crank fine and start in the coldest temps as long as the battery voltage was above 12.5 V. If I had the block heater plugged in, it would crank like a warm summer day. I'd ask Santa for a new starter. Mudflap

 

[rollnthunder]

Well after a few trips to the dealer and having them test things it ended up being the battery cable that connects the 3 batteries together.