Slow starting sometimes just a click? (not dead batt)

Just picked up a 99 4 cyl reg cab 4x4 with 184k miles, original clutch (still good) & from the original owner. I thought it needed a new battery (even though old one was over 12.5 volts), went and got a brand new everstart maxx, chaged it a little and put it in, but still slowly starts as if the battery is dead, sometimes just makes one click.

My guesses are: bad ground somewhere, or a bad starter or starter contacts, loose fuse? The Terminals are clean and tight.

What do you guys think, I thought I would ask maybe its a common problem that I am unaware of.

 

sounds like a bad starter

 

Check the connections on the solenoid on the starter as well as all other connections to/from starter/battery.

 

x2

 

X3

 

one click would indicate a bad starter, several clicks would be a battery. try tapping on the starter lightly while trying to turn it over. this can free up a stuck solenoid and verifie a starter issue. also inspect your ground cable condtion to make sure its not all corroded, corrosion will cause a high draw and can act just like a stuck starter. good luck.

 

Sorry for the late reply. Got a new stater because I dont have time to deal with taking apart the old one, 2 days later I got rod knock and just sold it today.

 

With older trucks (like my 2001) Id recomend re-wiring the engine block ground, and the chassis ground. And re-wiring the alternator wire that goes to your battery.

i did it strictly for car-audio puproses, but it can greatly help the performance and life of your battery.

I changed all the wires to 4guage. (The negative ground was literally 24 guage)

 

TSB for '03 - '04...maybe not applicable to your situation (especially because you sold the truck):
http://www.customtacos.com/tech/files/tsb/hard_cranking_tsb.pdf