Fuel shut off solenoid

[ABachar]

The truck died on the way home from a long trip. I immediately figured it was the fuel shut off solenoid as I dealt with this a couple months ago. I joggled the wires and rapped on the solenoid a bit with a wrench. I let it sit for a bit and it started right up again. It kinda stuttered for about thirty seconds as I accelerated and then ran fine all the way home.



After searching the forum and reading all morning I went out and checked all the connections, cleaning and crimping and cutting off that pesky bracket that I have read so much about, I am ready pull the solenoid out if need be, but the truck starts fine and runs, so most likely the connection again.



Anyway, before I order the bosch part from those folks in Hermosa beach, how do I tell if the Solenoid itself is actually going bad? Will it go bad slowly, or is it usually a one and done kind of thing? Thanks again guys, I have learned tons from this site.

 

[Rebel Ram]

Better late than never. In my history of problems with the FSS. I experience just the opposite problem. The engine wont shut off. Best way to check is pull the solenoid and look at the rubber end. If its not perfect shape then change it. While you have it off, Ground the housing and hook up the wire ans cycle the key and see if the plunger pulls back. If not go directly to the + on the batt. If no then its bad. You cannot get just the plunger (at least I couldnt ) Youll have to but the entire unit. Hope this helps.

 

[dpuckett]

Try it with the new connections for a while. The solenoids do get weak, and wont hold the plunger up when energized, but bad connections and plungers with chunks out of them are more common. I've had 3 or 4 die on me in the middle of the road. Wiring going to the solenoid was threadbare, and changing the female spade fixed it.



There is a thread either here or on the "other" Dodge site with pics and everything about grinding your plunger down to where the metal JUST starts to show, then reinstalling it.



Daniel

 

[PToombs]

Daniel, that doesn't always work. I chipped my "modified" plunger. So I ground it waaay down. I'm going to try to weld a small nut or collar on it. Then the fuel can't "chip" it off.