Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Turn the key, and... delayed starter engage?

[AndyMan]

Sequence of events:

1. Enter truck, insert key.

2. Turn key to "ON" position.

3. Wait for grid heat cycle to complete (wait to start light go out).

4. Turn key to start position.

5. 3-4 second DELAY

6. Truck starts, I release key.



Why is there a delay when I turn the key to start? It doesn't seem to have anything to do with key twist pressure or the clutch engagement sensor (which was bypassed by PO). I've checked the length of the adjustable arm on the bottom of fuel shutoff solenoid (with a caliper), and the length is correct according to the adjustment information I found on dodgeram.org.



Any ideas? It's not a huge deal at the moment, I'm just fearful that it may be a sign of impending failure of something.



BTW, there is no boot over the spring of the solenoid. If that matters (shrug).

 

[Joe G.]

Is that a 3-4 second delay before it cranks? Or is it 3-4 seconds of cranking before it starts?



If it's the former then you probably need new starter contacts.



If it's the latter give it a little pedal when you start and see if that helps. If it does then your idle is too low.

 

[AndyMan]

Ooh. Good call. Left that detail out. It is 3-4 seconds of silence. No cranking. after the silence, when the starter engages and spins, it fires RIGHT up.



I'll read up on the starter contacts. Larry B's? I've heard nothing but good things.



On that note, if I don't replace them soon do I risk destroying something?



I say that because this is a project truck. There a LOTS of little nit picky things that I'm slowly but surely addressing. I just want to prioritize this fix.

 

[Howard Durand]

It sounds like the solenoid plunger is moving slow if it takes that long for it to make up the contacts. It may be dirty or worn. At any rate, you probably need to change the contacts. A new solenoid plunger should be included along with them since it has part of the contact mechanism attached to it.

Once you get the starter apart, clean it real good with some electrical component cleaner.



I have never had my starter apart yet but it will probably need to be done in the near future.

I did replace the contacts and plunger in my 90 Chrysler which are basically the same design. When I took it apart I noticed that one of the contacts was pitted much more than the other one.

I think the short contact life some of these starters have had may be due to how carefully the contacts were installed in the first place.

If they are adjusted so that the circular contact on the end of the plunger touches both stationary contacts at as near the same time as possible there will be less arcing which should result in longer contact life.

 

[Joe G.]

Larry's kit has the plunger and the contacts. The contacts are the ones used in the 24 volt version of the starter. More contact area so less tendancy to wear away from arcing.



If the starter contacts stick you run a very good chance of burning up your fuel solenoid.

 

[Woodenhead]

If it's your contacts which it sounds like it is then get er fixed soon. Mine was clicking when I turned the key (sounded like the starter relay) then it would eventually start. They day when it sticks and won't stop turning may not be far behind, I was lucky and it didn't stick long enough to fry anything but each start turns into a crap shoot. If your going to leave it for a while you may want to keep a wrench in your pocket and practice bailing out to disconnect the battery cables. Larry Bucks starter contacts are the only way to go.



Mike

 

[raxley]

It wasn't hard to change the starter contacts and also put another plunger in. I got the $50 kit with 12 pt. box wrench, and plunger. I couldn't believe how tight the bolt holding the starter to the engine was. If it was a 6 pt. box wrench, I think I would have rounded off the bolt while trying to loosen it There are some good youtube videos that explain and show everything. Larry B got the contacts to me very quickly, he must have sent them to me the same day as he got my money.
You will like the way the starter spins after the fix. I didn't realize that the starter turned that fast, I was used to the old worn contacts.

 

[Cummins12V98]

The LarryB starter kit works well!

Told the neighbor about how the starter can stay on and toast a few things. Of course he ignored me! HA, a few months later and several hundred $$$ he said he wished he would have done the upgrade.

 

[Missouri Mule]

12 point 10 mm box end does the job. If the starter keeps running on manual trans just put in a high gear and let the clutch out. Auto trans you need to beat starter with hammer.

Best thing to do is replace the contacts!