Starting issue diagnosis?

So I tried starting my 03 after not using for a week. I have tried 3 times.

I hear a sharp metallic grinding repeating bark. This repeats, I think, as the starter fires or the engine tries to turn over.

The fluids look fine. I have been blowing off an engine code, but I don't think it's that.

 

You gotta check that code

 

Does the engine crank but not start?
Or does it not crank?

Is it the starter making the noise?

 

I don't think the engine cranks. I think when the starter fires, instead of hearing a "braying" noise, or however you describe it, I get the harsh grating bark. It repeats evenly, like bang bang bang. It's significantly louder than anything else.

I could be wrong though.

I'll try to pull the code when I get home.

 

If the engine isn’t cranking, and you hear a noise. It’s likely the starter. Take a marker and put a mark on the belt. Try to crank the truck. If the belt doesn’t move, there’s your problem.

 

Since it was working a week ago, I'm going with the battery voltage has dropped. It's cold out, if a battery is past it's prime and sitting for a while it can drop off really quickly when it's cold.

With the engine off, check the battery voltage with a voltmeter. Do you have at least 12.5 volts? Less than that is questionable, if it's below 12 volts the battery is basically dead or dying. Depending on the battery age, you may be able to bring it up with a slow charge. Don't try to start it with a charger connected, see this thread.

While you're in there to check voltage remove the battery terminals and clean them. I can't count the number of times I've been called by friends who gotta getta wurk an de're car won' start, then deemed a miracle worker simply by cleaning the posts/terminals. :-D

Last week I did my alternator and was getting 12.1 volts, it would start fine but that's low (and can damage an alternator.) Battery was 6 months past the 3 year mark, so it was time to go.

I'm not following what the the "barking sound" means. I am guessing it's the "solenoid click" you usually get when power is too low. If you hold the key in the start position it may click multiple times, like a machine gun sound sorta (as good as barking I guess hahah . . . .)

The single click or repetitive clicking is caused by the starter solenoid trying to engage. The starter motor in most cars won't turn unless the solenoid is fully engaged with the flywheel. So what you get is a single click or a fast repetitive clicking without the starter motor ever turning over.

Start* Begin by checking your battery as above. Disclaimer, the same conditions can happen if the starter or solenoid is going bad, but if it was working before, chances are really good the battery voltage has dropped.

* Even for me that's a horrible pun LOL

 

I gotta go with low battery voltage .

Is it uncommon for your truck to sit so long?

Enough of a drain to cause a no crank issue . Add in battery terminal and ground corrosion .

Funny how terminals looking fine can cause a no crank condition.

 

need OBD2 code

 

@KeptOnChooglin did you get this solved? What did it turn out to be?

 

OK, sorry for the delay, but I was lazy.

So I bring out a chalk marker, mark the 3 belts, I also checked the terminal tightness. I also noticed that whatever the hard rod/line that clips in to the back/top of the radiator shroud was loose. I nut/bolt was missing (on left) the one on the right was out, so I got it back where it should be and tightened it. That was all I did.

I give it a try and ....

It starts...

OK. Sort of.

I tried again, and it started, no problem. The engine sounded smooth enough, after a minute or 2.

The codes are
PO301 Cylinder 1 misfire (Current)
PO505 Idle Air (Current)
PO505 Idle Air (Pending)

 

I think you need to turn your attention to fixing the codes.
Those aren't really codes I would want to brush off for a while like a catalytic converter code or something.

 

I’m thinking the misfire code is a result of the P0505

 

Good god almighty
What kind of boat are we working on again?

 

The only ads I get anymore are for cylinder heads how do I get these

 

well, at least yall don’t want to go ‘MotorBoating’
lol
Freakin ads

 

https://youtu.be/i8zH3e-INQ0?si=-V4XPX20j4W37au2

 

OP, are we working on a 2.7 or a 3.4 engine?

 

2.7 I4