Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 12 valve won't start

[surfbeetle]

I also posted this under 911, but I figured I'd put in the 12valve section as well. Thanks...



Okay, I drove it to work today. Then went home for lunch. On my way back to work, I had to stop at another job site close to home. When I came out, turned the key, I only hear the click of the fuel shutoff solenoid. The starter does nothing. It is the original 179,000 mile starter with Larry B's contacts installed in it a couple of years ago. I also have Larry B's Solenoid saver diode on the starter as well.



What should I be checking for? I tried swapping out the starter relay under the hood with the A/C relay, that made no difference.



Thanks in advance for any advice thrown my way.

Craig

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Out of curiousity what does you voltage meter do when you cycle the key on? If it really drops fast down to ~8V I'd say your starter is dead. The one on my '96 died about 9 months after doing the LarryB contacts, same thing has happened to a couple other guys I've read about (not saying the contacts cause the problem, probably just coincidence). When mine died though it cranked VERY slowly, while drawing the current way down on a good Optima battery.

 

[surfbeetle]

The volt meter definitely kicks over to I guess 8 or 9 ish. I'm hoping it's not the starter, but given the age, it is definitely a possibility. I had the truck towed home, I will look into it more tomorrow.

 

[PRattenbury]

Check the simple stuff first if you haven't already. Like battery connections, fuses, condition of wiring, stuff like that.

 

[surfbeetle]

Started with the simple stuff, turns out that my LarryB's Starter Saver diode broke internally and wasn't letting power to the the starter solenoid. I removed it but I will call them and see what's up with that.

 

[abranz]

That diode failed on of my dodges.

Tony

 

[tp0d]

Vibration did it. .

I didnt buy one of those just for that particular reason... If you have the upgraded contacts, its pretty unlikely they`ll stick on. .

-j