Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) crap, that starter contact thing doesn't give you any warning

[WDixon27]

i got the shut off solenoid relay unplugged and hopefully didn't nuke the solenoid but the starter fryed, it had quite the plume of smoke coming off of it

 

[bmoeller]

That sucks. If you get a new starter from LarryB, he sells some with the big contacts allready installed.



www.fostertruck.com

 

[WDixon27]

i can get a new denso unit through my shop for around $170, quite a bit of mark up eh? unfortunately it didn't take a dump till it was too late to hot foot it and have it here tomorrow, ain't that the way

 

[Willys]

Did it stick while the engine was running? Mine did that a few years back. I've been through a few sets of contacts, and finally the brushes gave out and grounded. Had to buy a rebuilt one, I was on a road trip and had to have it.



The brushes going acts like tha batteries are dying.

 

[WDixon27]

i started it up and the starter never disengaged and i didn't realize it, i saw the voltmeter twitching but i thought it was the grids cycling as it was cold, i got a mile or so down the road and it was still acting goofy so i pulled off discovered the problem and pulled the fuel solenoid relay and headed back to the shop and shut it down and disconnected the batterys just incase as the starter was smoking like a turd in a snowbank

 

[bmoeller]

i can get a new denso unit through my shop for around $170, quite a bit of mark up eh?

I'd say so.

 

[WDixon27]

I'd say so.

i am use to it with the euro cars i work on for a living, id say 40% is the avarage, mercedes and porsche are the worst of what i sell and work on

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

For future reference... . just in case. What is the best course of action. Pull the FSS relay then battery cables? Any other options?

 

[WDixon27]

id say pull the relay or disconnect the solenoid and shut down asap, if lucky and fast enough you may save the starter, if you pull the battery cables while it's happening theres a chance you could kill the charging system with the draw of the starter. i am by no means a expert on this subject

 

[LarryB]

i can get a new denso unit through my shop for around $170, quite a bit of mark up eh? unfortunately it didn't take a dump till it was too late to hot foot it and have it here tomorrow, ain't that the way

WDixon27

If these are Genuine DENSO NEW starters, and not the average chinese made auto-parts-store starter, or a rebuild, could you please PM me or give me a call. I want to buy some from you.



Thanks,

Larry

253-272-1444

 

[WDixon27]

now that i look closer it's a denso reman but i am getting it even cheeper because it's going on my truck at $155 (our rep cuts us deals for our personal cars), i don't go for chinese back room rebuilds, don't have time for that crap. my supplyer of almost the last 20 years has only recently started selling domestic parts and usually only has one or two instock but it's been getting bigger and better. denso reman doesn't scare me bosch use to not but for the last couple years i don't know

 

[LarryB]

Thanks,

Thats a good deal, if it's done by a reputable rebuilder or Denso. Even the dealers don't sell new starters. Rebuilts are what the Dodge dealers are selling for $500+ in some cases. I guess that's how they afford those nice buildings, fancy showrooms, and all those suits.

 

[WDixon27]

it says it's a factory denso reman, ill get it tomorrow unless ups screws the pooch (i miss dhl delivery)

 

[WDixon27]

factory denso

 

[vssman]

For future reference... . just in case. What is the best course of action. Pull the FSS relay then battery cables? Any other options?

I've had the starter hang up once. I was in a parking lot and found a large rock to hit the starter with. . After that I replaced the contacts.



I now keep a ball peen hammer in the truck to whack the starter when it finally decides to hang up again. maybe I should keep a fire extinguisher in it too...

 

[BigPapa]

LarryB,



Just out of curiosity, have you ever had a report of your contacts wearing enough to hang? If so, and I doubt it, how long had they been on there?



Thanks,



Scott

 

[WDixon27]

maybe I should keep a fire extinguisher in it too...

i usually have a fire-x in whatever i drive, i even have a factory halon bottle in my 325is bmw with the seat mount, that's handy

#ad

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I always have a fire extinguisher and a ball peen hammer. So I should be set



Actually, I just changed the starter about a month ago. It was spinning everytime but wasn't always engaging the ring gear. The ring gear was fine and when I took the starter out the starter gear was chewed up bad. The auto electric shops said the clutch was bad so rebuilding it wasn't an option. Didn't want to head into winter with a questionable starter.



Heck, that would make a great thread - Most inopportune breakdown like the time the wife, infant son, and I were heading for Havre (MT not France) for Thanksgiving in a blizzard and Smaug, '65 F250, finally gave up the ghost in Wolf Creek Canyon.



So... I know I'm living on chinsy contacts for the next X many months until they go pfffffbbbttt.

 

[abranz]

Where is the fuel shutoff relay? Thanks Anthony

 

[WDixon27]

the biggest of the two on the firewall above the injection pump is the one that pulls the solenoid up when you hit the starter