Archived starter problem

[mschoenheider]

When the starter contacts fail, can you still hear the solenoid clicking?

Here's the story, my brother is borrowing my truck right not, and has it about 60 miles from me, and he just called to say that the it won't start. He said he hooked up a little jump start box to it so it should have plenty of battery power available. I think that if the batteries were dead, one of those little jumper packs would not start my truck. Ideas? he said the voltage gauge is reading about 11 volts with the key in the on position, not trying to start it. When he turns they key, he can hear the solenoid click, but the starter won't turn over. Ideas? My batteries are old, and could be toast. 140k on the truck, original starter I believe.

Mark

 

[Lnwing]

Yes, you can hear the solenoid clicking.

When my contacts went bad it was a progressive thing. Just before I finally fixed it, it took maybe 20 clicks in rapid succession before finally catching. Definitely better not to wait that long!

Have you cleaned the battery terminals to rule that out? That's always my first step.

 

[illflem]

Sounds like the batteries are run down. Unless you can come up with a very large set of jumpers you will have to put the batteries on a charger for awhile. I think one of those jumper packs will also charge if but might have to be hooked up for several hours.

 

[MidwestMotorman]

redneck jump start

Has he tried to roll start the truck yet? It shouldn't be too hard to start that way. Otherwise, if it is the batteries that are toast, you can hook the starter pack directly to the starter. That will bypass the batteries and cables, both of which will pull juice from the starter. There are a couple of ways to do this depending upon how the starter is configured.



1) If he has help, have one guy turn the key so the starter clicks. Then hook the negative to the starter frame. Now quickly shove the positive clamp to or over the main drive power strap or lug between the solenoid and starter drive circuit. This will put full juice to the starter drive (bypassing all batteries and cables), turning the starter drive, and having the key on will keep the solenoid engaged, thus cranking the engine. This will also work if the solenoid contacts are fried.



2) You can hook the jump box with the positive on the positive cable lug on the starter. Put the ground somewhere on the starter frame. If you turn the key to start and you have a click but no go then you have bad solenoid contacts. Double check to make sure that the clamps are contacting good.



3) You can short the solenoid with a screwdriver or other tool, providing that the solenoid is capable of being shorted out. Make sure the tool has a handle (tool will heat up) and watch out for all the sparks (mostly at your face)! The screwdriver can be used in method #2 if the batteries and solenoid contacts are toast.



You can also try swapping batteries in case one is dead and the other still has enough juice to start the engine. You can also use a set of jumper cables connected to another truck to make the starter turn in the examples above.



These above tricks also work very well to start tractors in the field when the batteries die and it takes too much juice to feed the batteries and the starter.

 

[jboehm]

Gotta funny feeling about the "jumper pack". . that's probably good for a gas engine... don't think it's going to pull over well on a diesel. . way, too much draw.



Just had to jump start a Jeep Wrangler tonite... didn't have anything but my cables, and his battery. . he hit the starter. . my gage went to about 10 volts..... readjusted HIS connection. . DUH. . still nothing... . Finally, it his started. . I know it wasn't mine. . fresh batteries. He finally came up and said "well, duh, must be a problem with my battery connections. . told him that I could have cranked his starter without his battery... ... . he had the weirdest look on his face when he seen the double batteries... .



At least I'm getting a beer or two from him. . next time. , besides, it's Christmas season!!!

 

[mschoenheider]

Using the rapid click method mentioned above, he got it started. Thanks for the help! I think it is the contacts, and will pull down the starter tomorrow to check.

Mark

 

[Rhondasway]

Starter contacts

If the starter is old, I think you should just have the replacement contacts there and go ahead and do it when you have the starter out. I don't know if you have heard of LarryB's Super Starter Contacts, but you can order at www.fostertruck.com/dodge. I put them in mine (plunger as well) as a "preventative measure".

I would still have your batteries tested (as well as being sure to check all connections including ground at both ends), and if one tests even a little low, replace them as a set ! Good luck!

 

[MidwestMotorman]

check the draw too

I would also have the main drive tested for amp draw too. If it is old, chances are those brushes are getting old and may be about ready to die. Your starter motor may be drawing too much amperage which will cause the solenoid contacts to wear faster. A new $120 starter may be the best course. Any good starter repair shop can test your old one.

 

[C. Harlan]

Roll Starting

you need to turn the key to the on position, and manually lift the fuel shutoff plunger... Otherwise the motor will go, but it will not fuel it, thus making for a frustrating time. . I just replaced my starter contacts not too long ago, and Starter took a dump on me this past week. I thought it was the contacts, but it had a bad spot in it, and would not work. . At all. Keep these in mind as you are trying to figure out the probby.



-Chris-