At least I threw the 'spare' starter in the truck for this trip!

The DB starter was installed 12/1 at BTS. The truck has literally only been driven a dozen times - 6k miles and 3 trips were in excess of 1000 miles each. IOW's, not very many 'starts'. The thing spun over like a champ, high rpm's etc - but 'glitched' a couple times last week (which is why I put the 'spare' on board ). 1rst time - I hit the key and got nothing one time, then it worked fine 2nd try. I thought maybe neutral safety switch?? 2nd time it glitched, I got a 'click' when I hit the key, then it started (thats when spare got loaded up). Yesterday, I stopped at a friends in NJ after driving 1000mi from home and all it would do is 'click' - at the starter. ONE time it spun, but I was bumping the key over and over again and didn't hold it long enough to start - it never spun again... Good thing is I can change a PSD starter in 15min or less these days.

The 'spare' is the 3rd or 4rth Napa starter I replaced on my F350 (in 6mos...) - I got sick of that routine and bought a 'real' Denso for that truck when the last one failed (prolly 60k miles ago??). This napa starter was only on truck for about a week.

The DB unit 'clunks' inside when I shake it - like Pete described a few weeks ago... I also noticed the power lead post was 'loose' where it goes into starter.

Anyway, calling DB now to get the warranty process started. I'm not sure what I wanna do in the long term. I think I paid $350 or so for the real Denso unit and it has been flawless. That truck gets started as much as 10-15 times/day - the Excursion is now taking its place and will do the same. I'd rather spend the $$$ on a starter I don't have to fool with... Meanwhile, what are the chances the 'replacement' DB unit can be MADE reliable by a local rebuilder? Anybody done a failure analysis on one??

What's a good source for the mitsubishi? starter?? Any other options out there?

Dammit, WTF made me think some cheeeeeep china-junk was good enough for MY truck?? I'm not gonna go back and see who all recommended it to me... The pisser is that I took a perfectly good (well, it had 240k miles on it ) OE starter off and forgot it at BTS... I think I'd have rather rebuilt THAT one than have this POS.

If the DB can't be made 'bulletproof' - maybe we'll have some fun with it. What do ya think - the M1, the SKS, maybe a 12ga slug? We could always start with small caliber stuff and work our way up. Anybody got a 50cal with incendiary rounds? Maybe we could just fill part of the case with black powder and see how much compression it can make? (always aware of the shrapnel danger of course...) Any other suggestions for venting my frustrations on this POS will be appreciated.

 

I had read many of the threads talking about these starters failing so when mine finally gave up I just had it rebuilt at a starter shop.They installed the heavy duty parts instaed of the junk re-manned in Mexico.

 

Jason,

I am bookmarking your post.

You've said it all!

I suspect the Chinese-made case can use good-quality parts (however I am NOT sure), so a trip to a quality rebuilder may get you a good starter after some work.

Pop

 

Jason there is a awesome place in Newton right near the Sears you went to alone the day we did Mike's truck
Its called Rectifiers call them nd tell them the guys from Hank Sanders sent u
If not I have a source for new starters not rebuilds

 

This looks like the place:
Rectifier Auto Electric in Newton, New Jersey 07860 - NJ.com

Pop

 

Thats the place
Thanks pop its a pita to link from my phone
Jason o think his name is Anton or something with an A

 

I put one of those OEM '02-and-newer offset starters and love it to pieces... it's a GREAT starter!

This was a video I made to show the smoke and try to show a slight variance I have while it idles (takes REALLY good speakers with alot of bass to hear it) so don't watch it all the way to the end:
YouTube - 7.3L Cold Start

 

Thanks y'all. I'll let DB send me another one, and we'll try to make that one better. At least I had the option to push-start the dually...

Meanwhile, I think I must have grit my teeth too hard while changing starters - I chipped a tooth. Now I need a dentist as well.

 

Does that work with these trucks? I'd seriously like to know if push starting would work with a 7.3L!

 

I got my Mistu starter from Nations >>> Nation Starter & Alternator,Tractor Auto,Marine,Truck,Small Engine

I tried to order the genuine Denso unit from Nations, but they talked me out of it and down to a lower priced Mitsu which they run in their own trucks. It's a quiet starter, and I'm still not sure that I like that because it sounds sort of... well, not manly. Regardless, it spins fast and reliably. I'll still wait to see how it runs in the long term, and it was only about $205 IRCC.

I've also installed one of their own custom-designed alternators on my Excursion which has been running flawlessly for the short month it's been in service.

 

No, no, no. You don't shoot at starters. You either find a buddy with some electrical toys that can rig an inverter and hook that puppy up to some real voltage and see if you can't get it spinning at around 5k rpms or so. Or maybe just hook it up to a constant 12v source and see if you can get that thing to glow in the dark.


Yes. I've tried diagnosing a noise before and I shut my truck off while rolling about 20 mph. Turned the key back on, put it in 3rd and eased the clutch out and the truck picked right back up. Obviously much slower will work for 1st gear. I have no idea about trying to push start and use granny gear. I guess that would either be too much torque and it would stop the truck, or you'd barely have to be moving at all.

 

Haha! Wow, that is too cool... wonder if I can talk my Dad into letting me try that with one of his company trucks!?

 

You know the sirens that are on firetrucks are pretty much made with a starter motor. Rig the DB and get a turbo wheel and we'll make a siren for the X!!!!

Suck to have it happen, but welcome back!!!!

 

Sure!! It works for (nearly) dead batteries too! I parked on hills for like 3 days waiting for the rain to stop when one of those starters quit. It takes very little speed to fire it up - but I found out the hard way it DOES take traction. I made it to the bottom of the hill on the wet grass trying to start it at home one time...

Thanks for the replies y'all. Mike, are ya coming up this weekend?

 

I'm working on it!!!