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Posted on Mar 31, 2010
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I have a 2000 Ford F250 T,D. I went to start it and it would not crank. the voltage seemed low so I charged up both batteries. Even when the voltage is near max the starter does not crank. how do i test to see if its the starter or relay or anything else.

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  • Ford Master 5,692 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 31, 2010
fordexpert
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Joined: Apr 20, 2009
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There is a current draw meter you can hold over the starter wire which will show the amount of current going to the starter. You do this while someone is using the starter and turning the key to start. This test can be done on the starter at a workbench too.

If your solenoid relay is reachable you can use 1 side of your jumper cables and bypass the relay. It will spark when you put the jumper from the hot post to the starter cable after the relay and the starter should work. If it does not work after doing this, then your starter is bad. But check your cable ends at the starter for corrosion.

Unless you wore down the batteries trying to turn the bad starter, the batteries should not drain without some other problem. Charge them up while you are taking off the bad starter and have at least 1 of them checked at the autoparts shop. You can drive it to Autozone or somewhere after you get it running to check the remaining battery.

I would ask the parts place to test your new starter to insure that it works before you take it home. Unless they will switch out a bad one for you.

When you get squared away you may want to disconnect the batteries and hook a meter to the cables to see if anything is on when it should be off to insure your batteries will not run down again.

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