Starter engagement/shutdown problem-READ

[Niki]

My truck has made a howling noise for a few seconds after startup sporadically after shutdown since I bought it 12000miles ago. Then recently, I would turn the key sometimes and all I would hear is a click. After a try or two it would fire up. Tonight while my brother was moving the truck, he tried to shut it off and it started howling and wouldn't stop running. I ran out there and while I was trying to manually activate the shutdown solenoid, the solenoid smoked and it stopped. I took the solenoid off the truck, loosened the battery terminals, and started the truck. After it fired up, I went under the hood to shut it down. After it shut down the starter started cranking, so I took the positives off the batteries. The Key was in the on position, but the clutch was not pressed in, and it cranked anyway. Bad starter , solenoid, or ignition switch? These trucks are too much between the throttle cables, steering, ... ...

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Most likely, sounds like a starter solenoid to me! What year truck, 12v or 24v?

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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, TST Powermax3, 275hp RV injectors, Joe Donnelly modifed Sachs Clutch, SS ladder bars, SW fuel pressure gauge, BD exhaust brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, front Draw-Tite receiver, rear Draw-Tite class V receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's, (all the common stuff clipped)

[This message has been edited by Steve St. Laurent (edited 05-07-2001). ]

 

[Niki]

Originally posted by Niki:
My truck has made a howling noise for a few seconds after startup sporadically after shutdown since I bought it 12000miles ago. Then recently, I would turn the key sometimes and all I would hear is a click. After a try or two it would fire up. Tonight while my brother was moving the truck, he tried to shut it off and it started howling and wouldn't stop running. I ran out there and while I was trying to manually activate the shutdown solenoid, the solenoid smoked and it stopped. I took the solenoid off the truck, loosened the battery terminals, and started the truck. After it fired up, I went under the hood to shut it down. After it shut down the starter started cranking, so I took the positives off the batteries. The Key was in the on position, but the clutch was not pressed in, and it cranked anyway. Bad starter , solenoid, or ignition switch? These trucks are too much between the throttle cables, steering, ... ...

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Nick-95 2500 CC 4x4 5 sp 4. 10 Skyjack 2 1/2" Lift BFG 315 75/16, Bedliner
95 Arctic Cat ZR700 85 Mustang GT

 

[Jeff Clark]

Mine did it too while I was dianosing a bad injector pump. Replaced the starter and works fine now. Problem was I couldn't find just a solenoid. Had to replace the whole starter. Got one from Auto Zone for $299.

 

[Missouri Mule]

If your starter solenoid is the problem than go to auto electric or starter/alternator repair shop and beg them for contact point for battery side if you want two get down on your knees and beg.
My battery side contact point was gone as in burnt off, replaced it and starter works fine. Brought starter with me so matching contact point was easy and it cost only 8 bucks. Can get from that diesel electric shop in AZ also.
But I think you have electrical problem other than starter solenoid. AS in starter relay, bad wiring, bad connector/connections. This is for last symptoms of starter cranking by itself.
Your other symptom do point to starter problem I believe sticking plunger, shift lever, or overrun clutch not working properly.
Since you have 5 spd and if does it again engage and disengage clutch this knock the starter gear back into starter. This worked for me the last time it did to me. Repalced fuel lines and contact point in starter solenoid since then. No more problems.
Will have to think/search about your last problem.

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Bill Thomas
Missouri Mule - 96 Wht 4X4 ST CC,5 spd, 3. 54, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards.
99 Freightliner bl/wht FL60 ISB-5. 9 24v,215 hp,520 tq,6 spd, 3. 59 nsr,16 ft box, 19. 5 tires,Wt/gvw 11,000/23000