Posted by gmharris [71.105.36.254] on Saturday, July 05, 2014 at 15:43:24 :
In Reply to: Re: Starting problems - 61 WM300 posted by jerryinidaho [64.234.49.226] on Saturday, July 05, 2014 at 15:23:49 :
Yes, I agree. That is my exact point. You can have that situation, but if you turn on the headlights and watch while somebody tries to start the truck, the headlights will either almost go out or go out entirely.
In that case, you will either have a low or bad battery or a bad connection in the high amperage circuit. Nine times out of ten you can fix it be wiggling the terminals on either end of the battery cables.
For some reason, bad grounds seem to befuddle people most. If wiggling the battery terminals doesn't work, try moving the ground. If the engine is cranking slowly and the battery is O.K., it's a good chance the ground is poor. Connections on the battery seem to either work or not work, no in between.
The headlight test is the first thing I do when diagnosing starting problems because it is so quick and easy to do. I just have the driver crank over the engine while I watch the headlights.
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