Starting issues. Battery? Alternator? Starter?

[Reed Perry]

Ive read some threads on each of these components and can't find a good answer. The last week or so I go to crank the truck and the starter turns over once, then slows down and takes a few seconds of buzzing to turn over again. Once it turns a second time it spins like nothing is wrong. I had the battery checked, they said it was good, but needed a charge.. After an hour or two of charging, nothing different. Next day, same symptoms so I have the Alt checked, all good, but battery is DEAD. New battery, same issues. The main reason Im thinking its not the starter is because once it turns over once, it spins with no problem.. The interior lights and dash lights dim some when i turn the key, but are fine once the starter spins well. Anyone with similar issues? Or should i just go ahead and put a new starter on a 15yo truck, and maybe even an alternator as well. I think ive heard stories of "good" alternators draining batteries??
Sorry for the long post, I hope it makes sense.. Thanks

 

[adriatic04]

i had this and it was a bad battery. It tested fine a couple times, finally got so sick of the truck being dead at random times I made the shop test it multiple times, finally it showed dead. you can do the alt and battery test with a multimeter, i suck at electronics so I have to search on here everytime I want to do that test (voltage readings, etc.)

 

[singingcamel]

Start the truck and with a volt meter on the neg and positive , see if your getting 14.2 volts , if not could be alt.
Sounds like dirty connection at the battery or the starter , clean them and see what happens.

 

[Reed Perry]

Well it cranked up much better today than yesterday. I should also add that it seems to do it more often when the truck is at operating temp. It cranks okay on a cold start. I've checked the connections at the battery and the alt, now ill check the starter connections tonight when i have time. I don't have a good volt meter so ill pick one up and see what i come up with

 

[Reed Perry]

Well im pretty sure the starter kicked the bucket. Went out to get some lunch, turned the key, starter turned over once and then proceeded to click click click.. and now the relay wont even click

 

[cdmbrennan]

I think it's your battery, not your starter. Before you replace the starter, buy a new battery and hook that up. If that doesn't clear it up, return the battery. It might have needed a charge once, but it may not be holding a charge now.

Just my $.2...

 

[pdxrovermech]

well since you said you tried a new battery >_>, I'm going to go with dirty connections. especially the ground connection on the starter.

 

[Reed Perry]

Im thinking connections also. Now when I turn the key, theres nothing. not even a buzz, a click, or anything.. All I can hear are some relays clicking near the glove box???