Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) starter drawing over 500 amps??

[Hootguy]

Hi all

I am having some starter issues. .

It cranks slow in the morning,,but gets better when it's warm. .

It always does start. .

My friend came over to test things,,cables tested good,,batteries are good,,no voltage loss in the clamps,,BUT the starter draw pegged his metter at over 500 amps.

The starter was rebuilt by a local shop well known for great work,,this was about 5 years ago. .

Any thoughts,,on either to get it rebuilt again at a cost of about $250. 00 or could Larry B's oversize contacts and plunger fix it,,,or bite the bullet and buy a brand new Nippondenso starter from Larry B's. .

Any input would be appreciated,,,before it leaves me stranded somewhere.

Thanks

 

[Skydiver]

Sounds like a weak battery.

Charge the batteries, Disconnect both negative leads for at least 24 hours. Test each battery while disconnected. Should be over 12. 5 volts. 12. 6 is best. 12. 0 is a bad battery.

Do the Larry B's contact upgrade regardless.

 

[Hootguy]

i did do all the test... . all check out,,just wondering which way to go,,rebuild again,,new,,reman,,
I can get a reman nippondenso rebuilt by ac delco with a lifetime warranty,,but it's over $500. 00

 

[fest3er]

Excess current draw is almost always going to be related to the motor (contacts, windings) wearing out or simply aging. Sometimes it is related to worn brushes.

Take the starter apart. Carefully. Examine the brushes and contacts on the rotor. If the rotor contacts look good, and the brushes look worn, replace the brushes and relay contacts and re-measure current draw. If the rotor is worn, or new brushes and relay parts do not change the current draw, buy a reman unless your local shop can essentially remanufacture the starter.

I've replaced the relay contacts in my starter once and have done nothing else to it in the 12 years I've owned the truck. They're good starters, but like anything, once they get too old and/or worn, they may not be repairable/rebuildable.

 

[Hootguy]

i think i may try Larry B's stuff,,,but i have been trying to call him today with no luck,,i'll keep trying . if not i'll get the $500. 00 lifetime warranty one.
Thanks for the input

 

[Skydiver]

Mine is at 181k with only LBs contacts. Starters are not hard to repair. 500 amps is not excessive for a diesel. 2x 800 amp batteries. Could be the bronze bushings.



Hooter, has your starter ever been used for more than 30 seconds at one time?



rotor contacts = commutators

Sometimes a light sanding will help.

Never connect a starter to a battery for more than 1/2 second while its on a bench. It could become a grenade.

 

[Bill Lins]

i did do all the test... . all check out,,just wondering which way to go,,rebuild again,,new,,reman,,

I can get a reman nippondenso rebuilt by ac delco with a lifetime warranty,,but it's over $500. 00

I got a reman from NAPA w/lifetime warranty for $230. 00 US.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Check to see if your starter shop that rebuilt yours has a new one. The electric shop I go to has new ones. I've replaced the the battery side contact twice and had a little work done on my starter a few years ago.

 

[Hootguy]

the rebuild shop doesnt sell new ones. .
I never crank her for very long,,short cycles only.
I wonder if Larry's stuff would fix it.

 

[hsmith]

I had a similar problem. Was the brushes. Really worn. Like new again with new brush assembly. Larry sells new Denso starters also.

 

[telliott]

fyi..... I just read in the most recent tdr magazine that on a cold day a starter can draw as much as 1000 amps on these things.

 

[WDixon27]

cheapo battery connectors don't help, i am getting ready to build new cables for mine to take care of the garbage previous owners have installed, it still spins over well but when i crank it with the hood open i can occasionally see the left battery ground connection spark

 

[Hootguy]

wow,,mine doesnt spark. . i have the original cables still... it just turns slower than i remember it before. . and i want to fix it before i get stuck in a parking lot somewhere,