battery charged but not cranking

[bforr]

1984 Ford 1520
cranked right up at the end of fall last year. battery dead now. charged it. checked it with a meter. Registered 12+ volts. turned the key and the glow plug lit up. Then nothing. Checked the battery connections. The negative was able to be twisted slightly so i tightened it. Still nothing. Checked the wiring at the starter. It registered just under 12v. Sometimes the glow plug lit sometimes not. Only once did it sound like the starter wanted to do something. I'm guessing the starter is bad. How do I test it? Any other ideas on what may be the problem?

 

[mjonesnh]

1984 Ford 1520
cranked right up at the end of fall last year. battery dead now. charged it. checked it with a meter. Registered 12+ volts. turned the key and the glow plug lit up. Then nothing. Checked the battery connections. The negative was able to be twisted slightly so i tightened it. Still nothing. Checked the wiring at the starter. It registered just under 12v. Sometimes the glow plug lit sometimes not. Only once did it sound like the starter wanted to do something. I'm guessing the starter is bad. How do I test it? Any other ideas on what may be the problem?

Fully charged battery should read 12.6-12.7 volts. If less than 12 volts would suspect battery not up to snuff. Can you load test battery?

 

[bforr]

Ah. I'll check it out next weekend when i go back. Thanks for the reply.

 

[grsthegreat]

Ya, i think battry is also shot. Also test battery voltage WHILE trying to start tractor. This will tell you if the battery is tryly shot

 

[ChiefBodie]

A depleted battery can more easily freeze than a charged one.

 

[bforr]

Ya, i think battry is also shot. Also test battery voltage WHILE trying to start tractor. This will tell you if the battery is tryly shot

I didn't know to do that. Thanks.

 

[thclimer]

I didn't know to do that. Thanks.

You would need two people, one to watch the voltmeter attached to the battery, while the other turns the key, or a device that can engage the starter with push button similar as below:

 

[mrmikey]

As others had said, your battery's toast. I use the analogy take 8 1-1/2V D cell's hooked in series and measure the voltage, it'll be over 12V. The reason it won't turn over an engine is the available amperage, somewhat same deal with your tractor battery.

 

[Williy]

You said the cables were loose did you clean them before
tightening them??

willy

 

[Harry in Ky]

I didn't know to do that. Thanks.

Before you condemn the battery, have you checked the ground cable where it bolts to the tractor? That's also a common problem with intermittent and/or poor starter response. Loosen the bolt, work the cable back and forth then tighten the bolt and try the starter again.

 

[etpm]

Before you condemn the battery, have you checked the ground cable where it bolts to the tractor? That's also a common problem with intermittent and/or poor starter response. Loosen the bolt, work the cable back and forth then tighten the bolt and try the starter again.

What Harry says. It is so common for the cable to frame connection to corrode that I'm starting to think it should be the first or second thing to check in a situation like yours. Especially since you said the glow plug was intermittent. Unbolt the connection, clean well, and then bolt it back on. Clean the frame as well as the cable end.
Eric

 

[dodge man]

First thing should always be to load test the battery. If the battery is shot you are just wasting your time.

 

[Harry in Ky]

First thing should always be to load test the battery. If the battery is shot you are just wasting your time.

That's easy to say, provided everybody has a load tester in their back pocket. If not, it's a matter of removing the battery and another trip to town. I'm guessing the chances are better that he has a couple wrenches to fit the cable anchor bolts even if he doesn't have a load tester.

 

[dodge man]

A load tester is 30 bucks and you don’t have to take the battery out. It’s crazy to replace a starter, battery cables etc when it is the battery the entire time. This is even more true since the battery was dead not long ago.

 

[Williy]

Because I live in the country IMHO a battery tested is mandatory
mine has saved me many times. It will tell you if battery is dead,
needs charging etc

willy

 

[garry1p]

I would remove the cables from the battery post, clean the post and cable.

Corroded post will create resistance and show 12VDC on tester, but not enough current (amps) can get through to start the tractor.

 

[grsthegreat]

Battery load tester,…. I have 3….. use them all the time. But i buy at minimum 50 batteries a year for my generator business. My goal is to replace them BEFORE they go bad.

 

[RjCorazza]

I agree that there is no substitute for load testing batteries. Life is a lot easier when you know in advance that a battery is approaching its end of life.