Starting slow My truck is starting like the battery is very low buti can't even get the starter to engage by connecting the posts on my starter with a screw driver.

Just guessing, but try checking the battery connections and the battery! It sounds like it was cold. I believe the ECU will keep it from starting if the voltage from the battery is low. Turning on the lights warmed up the battery a little and increased its terminal voltage. I have seen similar things in the past. Pops always turned on the lights for a minute when starting in cold weather.

Well, if your starter starts to turn when you hook the battery cable up, then you have hooked the cable to the wrong post on the starter. You have two large posts and one small post on the starter solenoid, the battery cable goes on the large post that has nothing else hooked to it. The other large post should have a large braided cable going into the starter motor housing. If the starter still will not turn the engine over when it is wired correctly then you will need to look closer at the flywheel ring gear.

Sometimes just dirty or loose battery connections cause this...current is OK to lights radio etc...but not enough to engage the starter...Any clicking sound indicates low battery...no turning at all may be the starter...Hope the battery posts (clean & retighten) is the problem.

Does the engine crank at all ?
The low whine could be the starter turning but not engaging the flywheel.
The clunk could be when the bendix gear on the starter makes contact with the flywheel.
If the starter does not have enough voltage, the solenoid or bendix may not engage. Even tho you replaced both the starter and battery, there could be a problem with the cables or the ground connection.

Yes it could be your starter the fact that you hear the click tells you that the starter solenoid is in fact working. Do check your connections for looseness or corrosion prior to starter replacement and fix as needed. Possibly has a dead spot on the starter that won't allow starter motor to turn even though the solenoid engages.

First, make sure your battery is fully charged.

Next, check your plus and minus connections on your battery posts. Don't just check them, clean the clamps on the inside and the posts. They make a tool that is a battery post wire brush tool for under $6 bucks, get one so you can clean them well. This may help the issue.

Once they are clean and it still is slow starting, my conclusion would be you may have a bad starter. The slow start means you typically have a dead spot on the starter armature which you cannot do anything to fix, replace it. .

Their is only other reason it could be slow to start and that is if you had a compression issue, and your car actually runs, so that is not it.

Hi,
Could just be time for a new battery. Take the car to Autozone or WalMart and have the battery load tested. Also have them check alternator output. This will tell you if you need to replace the battery or if you have a recharging problem.....The slow grinding from the starter indicates low battery voltage, not enough to fully engage starter...Mike

If the solenoid is just clicking, then your solenoid is not getting enough voltage to fully engage the bendix that goes forward and engages your starter, that will spin the flywheel. Either you have a low battery, or your alternator is not fully charging your battery, or you have a bad cell in your battery, or the cable connections to your battery post are corroded.

First remove the clamps from your battery post one at a time and clean the insid of the clamps and the battery post with emery paper/sandpaper. Re-clamp and try again. Either check your battery with a volt ohm meter for 13.2 volts, or take it to a parts store and have them check your battery. You may be able to start the vehicle by jump starting it from another vehicle.

if it's a big wire about 1/2' thick, it is the battery cable from the battery positive post to the starter, it provides the heavy current to run the starter.
Another small wire is the 12 volts low current that activates the starter relay which in turn connects the battery cable to the starter motor.
what is starter doing or not doing?
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Starter System The starting system cranks the engine at a speed fast enough to permit the engine to start.

• Heavy cables, connectors and switches are used in the starting system because of the large current required by the starter motor (11002) while it is cranking the engine.
• The amount of resistance in the starting circuit must be kept to an absolute minimum to provide maximum current for starter motor operation.
• A discharged or damaged battery (10653) , loose or corroded connections or partially broken cables will result in slower-than-normal cranking speeds. These concerns may even prevent the starter motor from cranking the engine.
• In case of starting system difficulty, the operator may have discharged the battery before calling for assistance.
• A road service procedure is described in this section to aid the service technician in such cases of a discharged battery .

The starting system includes the following:

• the permanent magnet gear-reduction starter motor with a solenoid-actuated drive
• the battery
• a remote control starter switch (part of the ignition switch (11572) )
• the transmission range (TR) sensor
• the starter solenoid (11390)
• heavy circuit wiring

Vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission have a transmission range (TR) sensor in the starter control circuit. This sensor prevents operation of the starter motor unless the transmission range selector lever is in the NEUTRAL or PARK position.
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Is starter engaging but is turning the engine slowly then not turning engine? (that's what I'm reading) If so, check both connections at the block and starter. If reading proper voltage 12v or better, check voltage across battery when in "start" if it drops below 9.5v the starter has failed. (you can turn the engine by hand...correct?)