Fuel Shutdown Solenoid Insurance

[Jeff Burke]

I recently had my shutdown solenoid toasted when my starter stuck, backfeeding current to the shutdown solenoid. The solenoid got so hot it actually melted the wrap on some wires directly over top of it. After I toasted my shutdown solenoid, a friend of mine who made the repairs did some research for me. He has access to sites I don't because of the his shop. Anyway, he made contact with a guy who services a fleet of 5. 9 engines who was plagued with this problem, and was able to come up with a solution to help eliminate the problem. He designed a timer to go in the circuit that would allow the pull-in circuit to only stay energized for 1. 5 seconds, plenty of time to pull in the plunger. The timer would not reset until the starter was renergized. I have a schematic of the system that I will post as soon as I get it in the right format. The actual part number for the timer is Amperite #12D1. 5 sst2-10amp-Q1. I am currently trying to purchase the timer, cost is $33. 77. I will update as things progress. The cost of my new solenoid was $343.

 

[Cooker]

At first this issue didn't concern me, but the more I read the more concerned I become. I'd consider a "security" measure if the cost was inexpensive and was easy to hook up.



Doesn't the seleniod need to remoin energized to keep the plunger up? Maybe the trigger to move the plunger and the energy to keep it up are a different circuit?

 

[Jeff Burke]

The circuit for the solenoid pull up, and the circuit for holding the plunger are seperate. The hold up circuit is untouched.

 

[Joe G.]

Jeff,



All you need is a $3 switch and a $6 Radio Shack relay to do that. I've had that for a long time on mine. Two planned uses: prelube engine after oil change and theft delay. Now I know that I can kill a stuck solenoid situation just by flipping off the switch.

 

[Jeff Burke]

I see your point Joe, the switch will work. But, like I said, this came from a guy who maintains a fleet of the engines. The only question I would ask is this, if your starter sticks, are you going to remember to flip the switch, or are you going to be trying to fix the starter problem? It will only take one time to forget to flip the switch off and this could happen. Just trying to help out.

 

[Joe G.]

I might and might not, probably would. However, it's kind of a moot point in my case. I know about the point problem in the starter so every so often I take a look at the contacts. About every third oil change or so. The starter is easy to take out so I just added that to my list of things to do. One of the contacts was getting kind of thin and ratty a couple of months ago so I made a new one. Great believer in preventive maintenance. Probably overdo things but I'm kind of finicky.

 

[Jeff Burke]

Joe, if i had your problem of too much maintenance, I probably wouldn't have had to replace the solenoid.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Jeff, I went through this two weeks ago. Is your new selenoid the updated model? I don't know what all was changed but the newer one is larger in diameter for those who have yet to encounter this. I have minimal clearence to my brake reservoir and the valve body now. I need to get in there and do some tweaking this weekend.



I will be glad to look at your schematic when you get it posted. I either got to go with that or Joe G's route. Waiting for nice weather to get the dash ripped apart to do some changing. Be a good time to add that circuitry as well.

 

[amsoilman]

I also would be interested in this schematic and timer setup, as I just changed my Fuel Solenoid relay package, the one that pulls the solenoid in, as well as the one that holds it in.



Wayne

amsoilman