I have always heard that tapping the starter seats the brushes so that they transfer enough juice for everything else to work. I've done it more than once on cars and it worked, but I remember you saying that the starter got a clean bill of health from a rebuilder. Worth a shot? John
On Sat, Aug 14, 2010 at 11:25 PM, The Emmerichs <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Ralph, > > > > Finally got a chance to talk to the guy that was in the cabin past > Wednesday. He said he heard the fuel pump clicking but nothing from the > starter solenoid. I understand what you are saying about not enough voltage > to cause the solenoid to throw or close. I couldn’t get to that wiring, > think I’m going to have to get in the port locker to see those connections. > I do have 13.8 volts where the large gauge wire connects to the solenoid. > > > > What I do not understand is why tapping on the starter a couple of times > causes it to work. If the starter solenoid did not click, then the issue is > in the solenoid or the wiring connections going to it. I didn’t hit the > starter hard enough to vibrate everything back there. Maybe it was just > hard enough to jiggle the wiring a little and remake the connection. I > don’t recall a fuse back there but it’s been 5 or 6 years since I’ve had > everything apart. > > > > We’re starting on a 40 mile trip to Madison IN Thursday afternoon. It will > be an exciting moment every time I pull the starter switch. > > > > Send me the drawing when you have a chance. I did something similar on a > Chevy van some years ago which would not start when it was run hard during > hot weather. > > > > John Emmerich > > C27 TR Fortitude > > > > *From:* [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] *On Behalf Of > *Ralph Ahseln > *Sent:* Thursday, August 12, 2010 8:07 PM > *To:* [email protected] > *Subject:* Re: [IC27A] Starter Gremlins > > > > > > John, > > > > You didn't mention whether or not.. the starter Solenoid "Clicked" ..or > not? > > > > If it didn't ... Before you take everything apart.. > > Check to see if the Starter Solenoid is getting enough voltage. > > It may be a very simple fix if, in fact, that is the case. > > The wiring harness connectors from the Key switch to the Solenoid are > Famous for getting corrosion or being loose. > > That will reduce the voltage at the solenoid. > > This subject was covered a couple weeks ago. > > And, I'll offer my solution to you... > > You can check the solenoid by direct DC . There's probably an In-line fuse > "Dangling" close to the starter. > > you can Kick over the starter by clipping on to that from a DC source. > > > > Here's a couple solutions ..IF.. the solenoid isn't getting enough from the > Key/starter switch. > > 1. Rewire the line to the starter solenoid. A single new wire from the > start switch to the Solenoid. It'll go to the other side of the In-line > fuse. > > > > 2. (what I did).. Attach the old key/starter wire to a small Car type > Relay. They will take voltages from quite low to over 12 volts. > > A new short wire from a good 12 volt DC source is then "Switched" by the > car Relay to the Starter Solenoid. > > This can be installed in a protected spot in the engine compartment. > > The relay AND an added "Bump" switch are just inside the engine Hatch. > And I have a second DC source on the Bump switch as well Bypassing the Car > relay. All this not only solved the problem of a "Cranky" (pun intended) > start, but allows me to start the engine while below. > > > > I can supply a drawing on request. > > > > As I say, This all hinges on whether or not it's indeed a Low voltage at > the Starter Solenoid problem.. > > But, it is a common problem. > > > > Uniform Whisky, > > Ralph Ahseln > > "Oblio" > > Lying: Portland OR > > > > *From:* The Emmerichs <[email protected]> > > *Sent:* Thursday, August 12, 2010 3:12 PM > > *To:* [email protected] > > *Subject:* [IC27A] Starter Gremlins > > > > > > Yesterday evening, we were going out to Wednesday races. I pulled on the > starter knob for my M-18 diesel and nothing. I had good voltage on the > batteries, the starter switch was good but no response from the starter. So > we went to plan B, sit at the dock and drink a few beers. > > This morning I went out with the intention of pulling the starter and > taking it to an auto electric shop. I decided to try a high tech fix > before removing the alternator and oil filter to get at the starter. I took > a large wrench and tapped the starter a couple of times. By now you can > guess what happened, the starter and solenoid worked just fine, the engine > cranked normally and started. > > I went through this same drill about 5 or 6 years ago. I took the starter > to a shop, they checked it out and said both the starter and solenoid were > fine. I told them to put a new solenoid on as that seem to me to be the > most likely culprit. I’m sure that would be the same diagnostics if I took > it back now. > > Any thoughts on this? I’m definitely not a starter mechanic. > > John Emmerich > > C27TR > > > > >
