Truck won't crank..... Stranded @ home!

[KEENO]

Keeno needs some First Generation HELP!



My truck will not Crank or Start!



The Battery isn't the problem... ... ... . It seems to be related to the Fuel Solenoid or Starter or Clutch Start Switch.



Known:



I have 12V @ both Blue Wires on the Fuel Solenoid. Terminals Clean & Secure. I have nice 'spark' from the Blue Wire to Fuel Solenoid W the Ign. Key in the run position.



Battery Up & Post Cleaned & Secure.



It Just won't CRANK... ... . Everything else electrical is working prefectly.



This problem has been intermittent over the past few days. I repaced all of the terminal connectors to the Fuel Solenoid. In the past if as played w/ the hot lead to the Fuel Solenoid it eventually started. I'm beginning to think it's somewhere else.



How does the Clutch "Depressed" Switch work on a First Gen?



KEENO

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

I had problems with the clutch switch a coupla months ago. The problem wasn't really the switch, I think the clutch master cylinder rod end has wore down on mine, not allowing it to travel as far? I could reach under the dash, grab ahold of the tubular switch on the master cylinder rod, and pull it back like when the clutch pedal was depressed, and she would crank fine. Eventually, since I'm pretty much the only one to drive my truck, I just straight wired it. I still push the clutch in to start it, habit I guess. I'm planning to put a safety switch in sometime.



If I remember correctly, there is two yellow wires going to the switch, I just cut them off of the switch, then connected them together. Hope this helps.



Steve

 

[paccool]

Keeno,



I responded in the 911 forum. Steve had some good info for you, if it is not that, I would bet it is the starter contacts.

 

[bgilbert]

Keeno, have you got under the truck and tapped on the starter with a ball pen hammer? Tap the front and bottom of it and then see if it will start. Thats where I'm at, truck wouldnt start awhile ago, replaced the ignition switch, battery cables-needed it-, troubleshooted the way the manual instructed on the starter relay, everything pointed to the starter, even though I didnt want to believe it. Tapped on the starter with hammer and zoom it fired up. Has been starting and running for about a month in a half, starter is on borrowed time, nice day out yesterday, no crank, got under there tapped the starter again and it fired. Bill

 

[KEENO]

Starter Bolts.....

I finally made it into work but the old girl is still silent in the Driveway... .....



I plan to clean the external Starter Motor Connections when I get home tonight.



Question: Anyone know the size of the 12 Point Fasteners that attach the Starter to the Block???



I also forgot to mention that the start up sequence for my truck is absolutely Normal... ... . Just no Starter motor.



The Wait to Start & WIF light come on... ... .



I can hear the Starter Relay cycling... ... .



Just, No Cranking followed by a sweet rumble!



What Else????



KEENO

 

[1stgen4evr]

starter on borrowed time

I know a guy who carrys a hammer with him always. He has to get the starter to listen up with a sharp crack from time to time. Wouldn't have believed it if I had not seen it myself. Myself, I use a long bar. I don't have to get under the truck.



The starter on these trucks get very little wear other than the contacts. You may need to have new ones. There is a post on larger contacts that someone is selling.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[bgilbert]

[starter on borrowed time]-- i carry a hammer now too since im on borrowed time, come on Kenno tap that sucker and tell us what happens... Bill

 

[jlast]

starter is the problem, hammer, tear it down change to the updated contacts.



I called around for a denso parts place around me went in took what i had apart told them i needed bigger contacts and a new plunger, it was cheaper then anyone i seen selling them.



mine dragged for a day, double clicked one day, then didnt do anything the next. hammer worked for two days then i fixed it, never had a problem since.



one time i tapped, i had to have someone turn the key while i tapped it really stuck.

 

[dpuckett]

Keeno,

Starter mounting bolts are 10mm, 12-point. You should know by now that the engine is metric, truck is SAE.



Hope you get it up and going. I had the same problem last summer. Took the starter off, took the end off it, and it was just powder- nothing to even begin to afro engineer Had a friend pull the truck to start it, and drove 30mi home w/o a starter on the engine. Got the starter rebuilt, and so far so good.



Daniel

 

[Mel Fuelling]

Keeno,

I paid $2. 00 for a pair of starter solenoid contacts last year at an automotive electrical shop. No symptoms of trouble yet, so they are still in my glove box. The shop owner discouraged me from purchasing the plunger, told me they will usually clean up with a wire wheel.

Mel

 

[WadePatton]

Lots of folks in the Mid-TN chapter might could help. Give us a shout sometime.

 

[KEENO]

Contacts it IS!

Thanks Guys!



Sorry for the delay... . I was playing w/ my truck all afternoon!



It Was indeed the Contacts inside the Starter. I still need to find "Upgraded" Contacts and drop the starter once again. I cleaned up the Contacts & Plunger w/ a wire wheel & emory paper. Thought I was home free until it just "Clicked" once again.



One good 'whack' w/ a wooden ax handle got her going again.....



So what's the HOT Ticket on CONTACTS????



Aftermarket or OEM Denso stuff? I read about both in this posting.



Temporarily back on the road w/a long Stick... .....





Thnaks Again... ... .



KEENO

 

[AlK]

Keeno,

Take a look in the classifieds for LarryB's SuperStarter Contacts. They appear to be heavy duty and come with the plunger and contacts.

---

Al

 

[Paychk]

Hey Keeno



Could you PM your phone # I need to talk with you.



Thanks

 

[bgilbert]

I just ordered LarryB's contacts for my starter. I hope that is the only problem in mine... Is the starter really heavy? I've heard that its not fun wrestling with it under the truck? Any tips on removing it? Bill

 

[phillips5]

It's not that heavy not like the mt40's on the big trucks. I could be the brushes also. My 90 needs an armiture and brushes. I pulled it off,pulled the bach off cleaned it up I found one spring not pushing on a brush. Put it back together and on the truck in 2 hrs. It only takes 10 minuts to get it off. Use a long wably extion.

 

[KEENO]

Larry B!

Thanks for all of the help... .



I ordered (2) complete sets of contacts from "Larry B's" website today. One for me and the other for my First Gen Brother that helped me spin wrenches all afternoon on Friday!



Thanks to all... .



KEENO

 

[LarryB]

Keeno

You should have them by now.



Larry

 

[bgilbert]

Got mine, think I'm gonna have to fix the starter before doing the POD install, with all the cranking to bleed the air etc. . I hope thats all I need is contacts and plunger. . Bill

 

[KEENO]

Thanks Larry! Problem still exist...

Hey Larry B.....



Thanks for the quick delivery! I had them in 3 days from the Left Coast!



Bad News tho: I thought I had the problem licked after installing them today on my lunch hour. All was well after the installation..... Until, a few minutes ago when I jumped in truck to run over to the other plant.



"Click" 'Click'..... Click! "Whack" (w/ ax handle)..... Starts Perfectly... ... insert Beautiful Cummins Music!



Why am I still having intermittent Starting Issues???



Here's what I know:



I've have a new 1125CCA Deka Battery.

Clean Terminals

Confirmed Ground

Continuity run on all wires/Good

New Super Contacts/Plunger Installed.

Good Clutch Interrupt Switch



What else could it be in the starter? Solenoid?



Tim "KEENO" Keen