Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Shut Off Solenoid

[nfox]

Went out to start my truck and it cranked just fine and no fire, so poped the hood and the shut off was not pulling up, i manually lifted it and it stayed up and the truck popped right off then so i shut it off and turned the key back on it doesn't pull the shut off up. Then i saw the little blue wire coming off of the driver side battery and it is was broke in half before the fuseable link so i spliced on a new piece of wire and hooked to the battery and turned on the key in the pickup and it burned up up my new piece of wire, any ideas on what to do or try next? 96 12v 5-speed.

 

[mstimac]

Could be the solenoid or the relay shorting out. Need to read out each one and find out which is overloading the system. My bet is on the solenoid.

 

[Turbo Thom]

You can take the relay apart and fix it. Are you sure the wire you spliced is the correct one. I just installed a soleniod in a truck that hasn't had one in 5 years. Some kind of a ******* choke cable BS was to much for me. I had to take the relay apart and the points were pitted. Cleaned it up, reinstalled and works like a champ.



Mainly, be sure you're on the right wire in the right circuit.



. . PT. .

 

[radixr]

I discovered through experience that cleaning the contacts on the relay is a short term fix. They go bad again relatively quickly (less than six months). :{

 

[KB0OU]

Hey, watch that talk about the cable option, I use a PTO cable to pull the lever to shut down my cummins, it works great, if I leave the cable pulled no-one will start my truck unless they figure out to push the cable knob in. Good security system. And I will never buy a relay or selinoid for my truck again!!

 

[nfox]

Shut Off

The other end of this wire was still hooked to the positive post, the wire was about 5" long and went into a fuseable link, so i spliced just in front of the fuseable link and it smoked the wire when i turned the key on. Which of the two relays on the firewall is the one i can take apart and clean the contacts on?

 

[mstimac]

on my 98 there are two relays but only one is used and it's the fuel shutoff relay. It's the one nearerst the drivers side.

 

[PKemp]

KBOOU: Nice idea! How did you hook it together at the shutoff lever?

 

[nfox]

I got my blue wire hooked back up to the battery and turned the key to start the truck and smoke came off of the wires on the shut off solenoid any ideas on what to do or check out next? Thinking hard about installing a cable for shut off?

 

[mstimac]

Sounds like the solenoid is toast. Options are to replace it or do the PTO cable change. Having already spent the money on a relay before, I know I would go the cable route.

 

[Turbo Thom]

KBOOU... ... . The cable I speak of is a little, skinny, cheesy, useless, piece of crap choke cable that's in the trash now. I much prefer the solenoid. I have a switch for the other, but with the key, is best for me.



. . Preston.

 

[Joe G.]

The relay is cheap if you don't buy it from Dodge. A 70 amp automotive relay from an electronics store is about $12. Sometimes less than that.

 

[McDowra]

If it does turn out to be the solenoid, we have them on special untill the end of the month. Shutoff solenoid special



I cant post a price on here but its a REALLY cheap price.

 

[Piers]

That's a good price, but not good enough. $10. 00 less is our regular price and you don't need to buy an adapter or splice wires.

 

[KB0OU]

My cable is tied to the arm that controls the fuel pump with a standoff that is 1/4 inch bolt with 20 threads per inch and with a cable pinch assembly on it. I purchased the cable and the cable pinch from a trucking supply company in Joplin, MO. The whole thing was about $40. 00. There was a write up in TDR on putting a cable like it in a Dodge, good write up. Mine is pretty much like that except for the attachment at the controll rod.

 

[PKemp]

KBOOU: Thanks, got it. Its a good idea, rather than an electrical circuit prone to problems, specially in colder and more corrosive (salty - air/roads) climates. I believe there is an old saying about electronic controls: "The more complicated you make it, the more prone to failure it becomes. " Simplicity is always "cleaner" and usually cheaper in the long run.

 

[KB0OU]

PKemp,

My thoughts exactly, I was having problems with mine, saw the cost of a new one, did some research and saw a thread from the guy that did the TDR article. Went and got the cable etc. and on a Saturday did the change. My selinoid fell apart when I took it out, it took me 2 hours to get it all done, I have not had a problem with it at all. It does take a few starts and stops to get used to the cable but after a few it is old hat. I have told my whole family that if they ever drive my truck, be careful!!

My wife does not even drive it so why should I worry???????

If you want to leave it running in really cold weather you can turn off the key, lock it up, and leave it running while you shop or whatever. When you come back to the truck, unlock the door put the key in turn on the switch and go.

KISS Keep It Simple Stupid... ... ... .....

 

[PKemp]

Amen... ...

 

[JoshPeters]

I've got a cable shut down... . and love it. I swear I found at least 50hp that I didn't know I had when I installed mine. The solonoid was not pulling all the way up.



http://www.tdr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140641



Check out that thread, there is pictures of my set up in there. Simple, easy, quick, not terribly fancy or 'clean' as some guys like it, but Functional.



Josh

 

[Howard Durand]

The cable may be a good replacement for the solenoid but you might want to think about what burned up the solenoid in the first place. It usually is a result of the starter contacts failing to open. If so, you still have that problem which could destroy the starter the next time. They are easy to replace and not very expensive.