My dad's 2001 D/A is having major starting problems. When the truck has been sitting overnight, the batteries act completely dead the next morning and the truck won't even crank. Once it's jumped and running, it starts fine the rest of the day. We assumed the problem was the batteries, the our local parts guy tested them and said they were OK, however the starter was drawing way more current than it should be. Any ideas here?

Second wound: A few times in its life, the tranny has acted like it has no line pressure in gear. For example, when pulling up to a steep highway approach, the truck will roll backwards while in gear. After giving it a little throttle, it will act as though line pressure is built and then crawl up the hill.

Now, however, it won't move in any gear when started in the morning. You can give it a little throttle, and absolutely nothing happens. Could this be drainback or the NBSU switch? It's been parked on level ground and only overnight (not several days).

Thanks for your help--this is his work truck and it's hurting business! We have a service appt. at our dealer scheduled, but I'd like more advice.

I would start with a NSBU on the trans. I replaced three of them this morning already.

FOr the dead battery, something is drawing them down...

Thanks dmaxalliTech. The tranny problem doesn't worry me as much as the electrical problem. The batteries and alternator seem to be working fine, but the starter draws way more amps than it should. Any ideas there? I don't feel that the batteries are actually dead in the morning, rather that the starter is bad. Would this make sense?

I know this is a crapshoot without actually looking at the truck, but I appreciate the help.

Is the parts guy comparing to what he normally sees on a gas engine for amp draw? I don't know for sure, but it seems to me that a diesel would have a much higher torque requirement to spin that 22:1 compression. Also seems that if a simple jump off will fire it up, that all ain't kosher with the batteries.

Check that all of the connections to the batteries are clean of corrosion and tight. Check that all of the grounds are good also. Put a volt meter on the batteries first thing in the morning before you try to start-should be about 12.5 volts. Now try to start. If it drops real low, like under 8 volts, then you have either bad batteries or there is a short or drain on the system that is running them down overnight. Could be as simple as a glove box light stuck on or maybe the under hood light.

My 02 had a short in the glowplug module, which was drawing down the batteries.