Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) No Start "click" when turning the key sometimes

[FATCAT]

To start off this thread, I just (a few minutes ago) orderd Larry B's super starter contacts/plunger for my starter so don't jump on me for not doing this sooner (I'm always a day-late and a dollar short).



Now, just in the past few days I have had three occations where I put in the clutch turn the key and "click" ... nothing. After one or two more times the truck starts.



I am assuming the contacts are carboned up and I need Larry's contacts yesterday.



But ... so I don't get stuck here at work tonight. If this happens again and I all I get is a "click" when turning the key ... can I just wack the starter with a wrench to "loosen" the carbon on the contacts and hopfully start the truck ... or will this wreck the starter?

 

[J Shocik]

The problem with the contacts is not that they carbon up, one of them almost totally wears out. The other one looks almost new. The worn one doesn't have enough "meat" left to it to make contact. Seeing you ordered replacement contacts, you'll see what I mean when you take it apart. Whacking the started might help, but hit it at the solenoid & not too hard.

Have fun removing the 3 bolts that hold the starter in. I believe they're 10mm, 12 pt.

 

[FATCAT]

... Have fun removing the 3 bolts that hold the starter in. I believe they're 10mm, 12 pt.

Hummmm ... that sounds ominous. I might make a trip to my machanic's place with some beer under one arm and the starter under the other.



Sounds like it might be a jack-in-the-box when you open up the plate on the selonoid.

 

[LHartman]

It's not too bad of a job. Breaking 2 of the 3 bolts loose was a task on mine and took me about 20 minutes to get the starter out. IIRC, the top bolt was the hardest to get out because I couldn't get my mits in tight places. Extensions are a wonderful thing

 

[FATCAT]

Well, this should be a fun job. Just hope the stuff from Larry's gets here soon. I also hope that it doesn't snow or rain next weekend (don't have a garage so have to do this on the driveway). Hope it ain't too cold also.

 

[Forrest]

I went to Sears & bought the longest handled 10mm they had. I think those bolts are tightened to just about the same ft-lbs as the 5th gear nut.

 

[Dave M]

It's not too bad of a job. Breaking 2 of the 3 bolts loose was a task on mine and took me about 20 minutes to get the starter out. IIRC, the top bolt was the hardest to get out because I couldn't get my mits in tight places. Extensions are a wonderful thing

I had my starter quit on me a few weeks ago (just like you... too late on Larry B's Contacts) and I posted on it here:



http://www.tdr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147505



There are pics of how I got the top bolt off (10 mm 12 point wrench... nothing else worked for me... but... I did not get creative with extensions tho. ). I used a block of wood with a floor jack under it. It worked great! I also show pics of the solenoid cover off. Its a piece of cake once the starter is out... . check out the pics on the link above.



It might be a good time to replace the brushes and add the diode to the starter to protect the fuel solenoid... all on Larry B's web site.



Good luck,

Dave

 

[Howard Durand]

Have you load tested the batteries?

 

[J Shocik]

Fatcat, don't worry about the solenoid cover, just remove it slowly so you don't get any surprises. As for the 3 bolts, I used the 10mm-12pt wrench using a second wrench as an extension for added leverage. If you have mechanic gloves, this is a good project to wear them on to help prevent skinned knuckles. D/C has a gorilla working for them, his sole job, tightening the starter bolts. You'll see what I mean... :-laf

 

[FATCAT]

Have you load tested the batteries?

The batteries are only 6 weeks old and were tested before installations ... they definitely have enough juice to start the truck ... like in a 1/2 seccond.



Well, looks like I'll get my stuff from Larry B's by Friday the 10th, so hopfully next weekend will be nice weather out to work on this. I just gotta remember to disconnect the battery cables before working on the starter.

 

[REFLOYD]

i replaced my starter in my truck and it only took me about 30 minutes to do it. but i had a lift and a 6 pack of bud light gloves are essential one wrench added for leverage will help alot but it can be done quite simply with one long one. putting it one the lift will make it a lot easier. good luck with the starter hope yours is as easy as mine was.

 

[BTighe]

that top bolt is gonna **** you off. after that, its a gravy job. i ended up replacing my 12pt bolts with socket head bolts cause i changed flywheels after going from an ofe to an fe clutch. i like these better than the 12pt's. i would avoid any unecesary(sp?) starts. i almost got stuck were i was fishing ,truck took about 30 minutes to finally get a start out of. hitting the starter didnt help either.

 

[AMink]

Don't be afraid! It's not a bad job. I was able to tap the wrench with a hammer to get things moving. It is true that the top bolt is the tough one. It's a toss up if you go in from the top or bottom. I went down through the brakes lines etc. to get to it, but was able to put it back in from underneath using the "I can feel it but not see it" method. :-laf

 

[Signal73]

Someone once mentioned using a floor jack with a piece of 1X3 or 2X3 jacking up on the end of the wrench to break it free originaly. Thought there was a picture of this floating around here also.

 

[Jim McCarty]

The top bolt is almost always a pain to get out. Just be patient and creative with the extensions and flex joints. Also, DON't FORGET TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERIES!

 

[FATCAT]

The top bolt is almost always a pain to get out. Just be patient and creative with the extensions and flex joints. Also, DON't FORGET TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERIES!

Both batteries or just the driverside battery?



Also, when taking off the starter is it best to take the top bolt off last or first?



Anything special to do when reinstalling the starter ... shiming, etc... ?

 

[AMink]

Both batteries (gives you a chance to clean the terminals too). Having done this once now, I'd do the top bolt first, then the bottom ones so you are under the truck to hold the starter from falling. When you put it back in, it slips on easily. Just make sure to look down from the top to make sure the starter is tight up against the housing. I put mine on from underneath and it felt tight, but looking down from the top I had to snug it up some more.

 

[Dave M]

Someone once mentioned using a floor jack with a piece of 1X3 or 2X3 jacking up on the end of the wrench to break it free originaly. Thought there was a picture of this floating around here also.

That was me... . see post 7 in this thread to the link but here it is again for everyone. There are pics of using the jack and 2x4 about 3 feet long and pics of the solenoid removal. This is not a tuff job and some don't have really tight bolts but mine was very tight. Be sure both battery cables are disconnected... I disconnected the positive lead on both batteries. I did not remove the batteries but did all the work from underneath.



Here is the link to pics:



http://www.tdr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147505



Good luck,

Dave

 

[Signal73]

You da man! thats the one I was talking about...

 

[FATCAT]

That was me... . see post 7 in this thread to the link but here it is again for everyone. There are pics of using the jack and 2x4 about 3 feet long and pics of the solenoid removal. This is not a tuff job and some don't have really tight bolts but mine was very tight. Be sure both battery cables are disconnected... I disconnected the positive lead on both batteries. I did not remove the batteries but did all the work from underneath.



Here is the link to pics:



http://www.tdr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147505



Good luck,

Dave

Awww, there is the extra set of pictures I was looking for.

Your "old" stater looked pretty good ... nice and shiny. The selonoid cover is all rust, I hope it doesn't desintegrate in my hands when I try to remove it.

I'll have to give the bolts a good soaking of silicone before doing any work (I just hope I can get the starter cable and battery cable nuts off).