Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 96 12 valve quit. Starts but dies immediately.

[keckland]

While driving to work today at about 55 mph my 96 3500 w/5 speed quit. The first thing I noticed was that the throttle pushed my foot and then the truck quit. I looked at the dash and noticed after a second or two that the speedo and tachometer went to zero and then the rest of the meters went to zero a fraction of a second later. I coasted to the side of the road and shut everything off. I restarted the pickup but it immediately shuts down. The fuel, oil pressure, and battery gauges started working again but some of the other dash lights did not work ("wait to start' for one). I found fuse 9 blown. I replaced the fuse and it will hold for a few seconds before blowing again. All other fuses, both in the cab and under the hood, were OK. The pickup will still start but immediately shut down. Any ideas?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Check the shutdown solenoid on the side of the governor.

 

[keckland]

Thank you for the place to start, Joe. I searched through TDR for diagnosing tips and I determined that the solenoid itself is the problem. I wanted to get it running today so I attempted to buy locally. NAPA wanted $664 and the Freightliner dealership wanted $404. And both would have to order. I placed my order through Geno's today.

 

[hsmith]

Good decision to go with Geno's. Mine is still OE with several boot changes and one relay replacement.

 

[surfbeetle]

While I was waiting for mine, I used a wire and disconnected the solenoid. I had to pull it up and down to start and stop the engine

 

[HHhuntitall]

A manual push cable works, too..... So does some baling wire in a bad situation....

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The relay for the solenoid is on the lip of the cowl--there are two of them there. You might carry a spare.

 

[keckland]

I learned a lot from this experience. I drove around for 2 or 3 weeks without a solenoid. I removed the faulty solenoid and manually moved the lever when I wanted to start or shut down. After the parts arrived, and the once the weather got a little nicer, I replaced the solenoid. The relay was OK. I now have a spare that came with the kit from Geno's Garage, which I will carry in the pickup. Thank you all.