Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Fuel Solonoid Failure

[Runaway Ron]

My wife called me to save her the other day. She had a load of horses and was about to pull out on the hiway. She said the truck had no power and would quit. I left my meeting to help ( At least I got out of the meeting). We unhooked her truck and I limped it forward out of the way. We hooked up my 94 dodge and she was back on the road. I thought we had gotten some bad fuel or the fuel filter was bad by the way it was starting and running. I had to go into low range to make it up small hills. I searched alot of posts and had a list of things to check. It came down to the fuel solonoid. The spring had come off and the swivel in the top of the plunger was out. The boot was also in bad shape. I hooked it up and it worked but its kind of sloppy. I got the bad news about the price for the new improved solonoid and bracket. $265. 00 from cummins and I have not checked the dealer yet. Do any of you have any ideas on a better price or a different fix? Maybe how to get the old style with the old price. Thanks Ron ps this forum is a great way to exchange ideas.

 

[moparguy]

Ron, good to see you're still around.

While mine hasn't failed, I've been on the lookout for the best price in anticipation of the day it does. However, I haven't found a much better price than you've located. Some members have paid upwards to $400. 00.



There was a posting for replacement boots a few weeks back. You might try a search if you wanna clean and reuse the original solenoid.



I've about decided that if/when mine fails, to install a manual set-up. All it should take is a cable like most older diesel tractors use.



Good luck, Ronnie

 

[Runaway Ron]

Thanks Moparguy

Thanks, I will look for the boot post. I think with a little dry lube and a cleaning I might be able to get some more time out of it. I might have to drive it myself, I don't think my wife will take the chance. By the way guys you got my wife all excited about bombing her truck. She has been nosing around in my Turbo Diesel review magazine and noticed what you were talking about. She even threatened me the other day that she was going to take her truck to Janette on the East coast. I told her Piers was closer, but I think I'll do it myself and buy the parts from Piers. She is the speed and power demon in the family! Ron

 

[shendren]

how long did the solenoid last? you mean that it only takes $265 to get the wife back in her truck and you won't spring? c'mon man!

 

[Runaway Ron]

I work for a living

I work hard for my money. Thats alot of money for that particular part. If there is another way I want to know about it. I am not foolish enough to plunk down the money to the first bidder!

 

[Deezul1]

That much money will buy a #11 plate

 

[Runaway Ron]

Gettin Scared

My wife says amen to that Deezul 1!

 

[QRTRHRS]

I am one of those hapless souls who paid 400 bucks for a selenoid. It smoked at a bad time, well, worse than usual, and I had to get it up and running.



For the benefit of those who had not read this before, the new and improved version is slightly larger in diameter. For whatever reason, it rubbed my master cylinder resevoir. I ended up "canting" the whole master brake assembly away from the engine.



If I were to do over, I would do as moparguy suggested and set it up manually. Heck, that might save the truck from a thief sometime.

 

[Runaway Ron]

Called Cummins today

I saw on a post a couple of weeks that someone said cummins has new boots available for $28. 00. They don't. If anyone knows who it is that has new boots for the fuel solonoid let me know. I saw a post from Bill Flemming on that same thread where he said that the in most cases the fuel solonoid should go the life of the engine. I agree with that statement after looking at my solonoid. My boot rotted causing grime to get into the bore. The plunger is chrome which clean up easily and has no wear. The cylinder is brass and cleaned up easily with no wear. I and most people have a grime problem and only need a new boot. Very simple fix and after the cleaning it works fine. I'll run it like it is until I get a new boot. Sorry you paid the $400. 00 and still had a problem.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I could have saved myself the 400 bucks and the aggrevation had I taken the starter off and replaced the contacts as a matter of routine maint. My starter stuck and thats what took mine out. Just too many things to do all the time.

 

[illflem]

Ron about the only thing that will kill a solenoid is high opening voltage staying on along with a stuck starter. You are right on to repair it, here you go.

Originally posted by KWentling

Guys: Just got my Power Booster News flyer today and they are now offering the solenoid boot (part number SA4153) for $19. 95 regular price and 10% less for Booster members. They are supposed to be available at all Cummins Rocky Mountain locations. Fuel solenoids are $274. 72.

Kim

Shipping from Cummins Rocky Mountain in Missoula is probably cheaper than WA sales tax. No tax in MT.

 

[Runaway Ron]

Thanks Bill

Thanks Bill, for a minute there I thought you dropped of the face of the earth. I'll check it out.

 

[BCFAST]

Runaway, mine puked out at a bad time as well... no $$ for piddelly nonsense like this... anyway, what I did was chuck the electric selenoid for a pull cable. I made a little bracket to hold the cable end at the motor and one under the dash. To start, pull the cable (imitating the lift of the selenoid) and turn the key! Cost me less than $10 and some time.

 

[Runaway Ron]

Called Cummins again

Bill, I called cummins both in Spokane and Missoula and they did not know that part #. Is Cummins Rocky Mountain different that Cummins Northwest which is where I called. I might have tried using a manual shutoff if it was my truck and not my wife's. Also it is working great, it just needs a new raincoat.

 

[illflem]

Ron I always figured Cummins is Cummins. I've seen that same p/n posted here a few times, don't know what to tell you. The boot available separately is something that has happened in the last six months, could they be looking in an old book?

 

[Runaway Ron]

Jefferson Diesel

Bill, I looked up that post that KWentling made. The guy who started that post was Pumperdude on 3/7/02. Pumperdude said that the boot was available from Jefferson Diesel specialists in Harvey LA for $32. 00 and would be discounted for TDR members. The phone # is (504)340-5162 and speak to John. I will call them tomorrow and report back.

 

[Blakers]

They probably have a cable shut down option available for these engines. Perhaps in Case-IH?



Generally the cable shut downs kill the engine when pulled OUT. Run position is in. All the older big rigs are set up this way. Mercedes was out to run and in to stop.



Blake

 

[Runaway Ron]

Boot Ordered today

Hey, I'm a happy camper. I ordered the boot from Jefferson Diesel. John is very helpful and thanked us for all the business we have sent their way. It was approx. $33. 00 and said it would be about $3. 00 shipping. She's startin like a champ. I won't have to move money out of the bombing fund!