steve672

Howdy! I have a 2007 f150 5.4. I recently replaced the starter after a no crank no start issue. After the replacement the engine didn't fire up normally, it was real sluggish while engaging the key and i had to jump start to turn over the engine. Left the battery on a trickle charger over night and the next morning the truck was difficult to start- sounded real sluggish but eventually turned over. I did a voltage test at the battery without key in ignition and it read a touch over 12v- I started the truck (again very hard to start) and it read a touch over 14v while running. The truck runs and drives fine but still struggles to start even after a lengthy drive. After going down a internet rabbit hole , I pulled off the belt to check all the pulleys and they spin freely, I ve checked the starter relay (the high beam relay was hot to the touch for whatever reason), the fuel pump driver and they both seem fine. Im at wits end, so I decided to check voltage while i was turning the key/ cranking the engine and I noticed voltage drop to as low as 8.6 v. This seem bad to me and everything i've read says so but yet here I am wanting to confirm with the experts within- Do I have a bad battery or is there something else i should check\ diagnose before a spend money on a new battery.
I should also mention that for over a yr I've had to start the truck in Neutral but I'm not sure if that's tied into what's going on currently.
Thank you ,all in advance.

needsmoarturbo

I'd double check the heavy gauge cables to ensure they are tight and don't have corrosion inside the sheath at either end. Hard to pass the current required for cranking through crusty cables or terminals.

steve672

Thank you for your reply! Should i check both neg and pos cables?

needsmoarturbo

Yes

laterongc

- why would you replace a starter for a crank no start condition ?

- ‘a touch over 12 volts’ and symptoms noted seem to indicate a bad (or inadequately charged) battery

digitaltrucker

Is the old starter gone? Have it tested and or put back in and see what happens with a good battery.

steve672

Tested starter while on the truck and it was dead. tired to jump power leads and it didn't engage.

steve672

bench tested once off and it didn't engage

laterongc

Realizing now you had said “no crank no start” and not “crank no start”

Battery specs still lead to bad battery and/or insufficient charge.

step one would have seemed (and still seems) to be: ensure you have a good battery, good charge, and good cables and connections.

steve672

Thank you,
Left battery on charger all night and still got the same reads.
I checked cables that terminate at battery post and other then the little exposed tips showing a little green,when I peeled back a bit of the cable sleeve they look bright copper. Excuse the ignorance on my part but where should I check the cables that lead away from the battery,?power cable at starter and negative cable where ,at alternator?
I have my battery at an auto parts store for testing. My fear is that they tell me I have a bad battery, get a new one home and it doesn't fix said issues and I'm out $200+. Is there anything else I should look at before that ?