Got a 89' f150 300 6. It got about -9 here last night and it wouldn't start. I got starter clicks and now nothing. Put the charger on for 45 min and got clicks but it wasn't fluent. It kind stopped and started. Just curious on all possible things that could be wrong and what to do. TIA

 

Also its been starting fine for the last 2 years. It has to slow start in winter but I've never have a vehicle that didn't. Could the starter be done? They usually go out in heat not cold and it hasn't had any problems other than today.

 

How old is the battery? Batteries tend to underperform in cold weather.

I just searched and found this info:

http://m.wikihow.com/Start-a-Car-in-...Winter-Weather

 

I'm sure that it's old enough to need replaced. I did all of that first. I know a lot of basics and things. I just didn't want to lay in the snow to change a starter if it wasn't needed.

 

If I were you I'd find a battery that is the same dimensions as your battery tray/box and up the rated CCA's from the current one. On my older trucks I always put in 700+ CCA batteries. It doesn't get that cold in the midwest very often, but every little bit helps.

 

This one has 885 CCA. I just tried it again. Lights and dash lit up but no crank. Barely any starter click. I pulled the battery and am gonna let it sit inside and clean the posts and cables. It maybe I'm a DMF lol. Starters don't go out overnight right?

 

The horn is also a good indicator of a bad/drained battery.

 

Any auto parts store will test the battery to see if it's bad.

 

So had it inside and charging and put it in and just clicks. Horn works. Brights work. Any ideas?

 

Gonna say this, and don't get offended. Check your grounds, check your grounds, check your grounds. They make ghosts appear in the machine. Lol. If you have a mirror and flashlight look at the wirning going to your starter. Make sure it's not corroded or broken. I don't think your truck has a starter relay like the 70's one. If it did I'd say jump the posts.