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Starter Solenoid/Relay
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 553
Likes: 6
From: North Western New Jersey
Starter Solenoid/Relay
I think I need a starter relay. I haven't fully made the prognosis this is the issues BUT if it is, has anyone had problems with a parts store solenoid like we do with the glow plug relays? I replace my GPR with a napa one a few years ago (against my better judgement) and I think that's failed as well. I just don't want to waste the $20 or so on a cheapy starter solenoid if I should be getting a better one like I will be doing with the GPR. I suppose I could get two new GPR's from Mouser and use one as a starter solenoid? haha!
I'm sure I could get a dealer part too but I don't have the patience to find and deal with a dealership.
Thanks.
Al
I'm sure I could get a dealer part too but I don't have the patience to find and deal with a dealership.
Thanks.
Al
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,123
Likes: 38
From: Columbus, Oh
Have you tried jumping the relay with a screwdriver to see if its the relay yet? I'm finding more often than not that Napa parts are getting shi&!er by the minute. Whenever possible replace with OEM.
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 553
Likes: 6
From: North Western New Jersey
I have not had a moment to further diagnose my problem (i.e. short the terminals with a screwdriver) but will before I go buy a relay. If the relay is the issue, which I'm pretty sure it is, I just don't want slap any piece of junk in there if there is a better alternative. The starter on the truck is believed to be original and its got over 170,000 miles on it so that's pretty good if it is stock. I just know as you have mentioned that even napa parts are worthless.
thanks!
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 553
Likes: 6
From: North Western New Jersey
NP! thanks anyway! 
I don't understand why these oriental manufacturers can't make a good product. You're going through all the motions to manufacturer, package, ship and sell a product. Can't you just make it with $0.0002 of a better material or whatever, charge the end user a little bit more and be happy? I mean I bought the Chinese garbage part, now instead of replacing it with another chinese garbage part like they want you to do, I'm going to buy the more expensive/better part like I should have in the first place.
OK I'm done ranting for now.. LOL! I know its a dollar and cents thing as well as quantity. I'm not that dumb, just wish the world would still make a reputable auto part. :::sigh:::
I don't understand why these oriental manufacturers can't make a good product. You're going through all the motions to manufacturer, package, ship and sell a product. Can't you just make it with $0.0002 of a better material or whatever, charge the end user a little bit more and be happy? I mean I bought the Chinese garbage part, now instead of replacing it with another chinese garbage part like they want you to do, I'm going to buy the more expensive/better part like I should have in the first place. OK I'm done ranting for now.. LOL! I know its a dollar and cents thing as well as quantity. I'm not that dumb, just wish the world would still make a reputable auto part. :::sigh:::
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 365
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I went with a Western Plow relay...its rated for 15 volts....stock GPR's are rated for 12 volts....auto/truck alternators put out closer to 14 volts, so the stock relay wears out simply because it wasn't designed for 14 volts....hth
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
The starter relay is never energized when the engine is running, so it doesn't need to be rated for 15V. It also doesn't remain closed for more than 5-10 seconds at a time, so it doesn't need to be of continuous-run duty like a glow plug relay. The only other difference is that a glow plug relay cannot be grounded through the mounting frame, where the starter relay completes its coil circuit through the grounded mount. So you can make a glow plug relay work as a starter relay simply by running a wire from the second small terminal to a ground.
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 553
Likes: 6
From: North Western New Jersey
I don't drive the truck much and have been working out of town so I haven't had time to diagnose. A month later I finally managed to fix it. After thinking my 7 year old Walmart batteries were shot, I replaced them. then started having more start issues. I thought the GPR was shot too. So after digging around and finding out there are TWO Solenoids i concluded the one at the starter was bad.*
I dropped the starter, pulled it apart and cleaned up the brushes and communtator. I installed a new solenoid and cleaned and greased all the electrical connections. Man OH frikken man I don't remember this starter EVER cranking so fast. It sounds deliciously sick
Im totally amazed. A $40 fix and she's back in business albeit I'm out the $220 from the batteries but I suppose I'd eventually need them too.Thanks all for your advice, help, insight, two cents, etc that led me to getting my stroker back on the road. I wish y'all a merry Christmas, happy Hanukah, happy festivus or a happy whatever you celebrate! Oh and a happy and safe new year. May we all keep on truckin!
Al
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,418
Likes: 196
From: AZ
Al, thanks for getting back to us on this. I just got another PSD and took the engine harness off for repair. The top big terminal on the starter relay on the passenger fender broke off removing the nut. In your research, what did you find, if any, for a good replacement?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,408
Likes: 75
From: Plankinton, SD
Glenn, I was having starting issues 7-8 years ago approximately, and before finally replacing the starter to actually fix it, I bought a relay at the parts store and tried it. Of course that wasn't the fix, but I've had it on there since with no problems. I do carry my original one for a spare as it was good, but the one I got works fine. It was a name brand, but can't think of it. I'll look at the box when I'm at the shop today if I remember.
I guess its worked for this long, but I sure won't recommend it. Glad I have my spare in the back seat.