1950 M68 with 239; converted to 12V; with S10 transmission.


Has anyone experienced the starter staying engaged only when you are going up a hill? We've got the truck out on first test runs, and this seems to be consistently happening. The starter works well to get the engine going, and on the flat or going downhill it's ok. Kind of weird. Looking for ideas.

 

That's really odd, since the bendix moves forward to crank. But it has to be the bendix causing it, I'd say.

 

Grounding issue. Loose wire , bad insulation, faulty switch. On starter button circuit.

 

We've pulled it out and will have a look at it over the weekend - we should do that anyway I suppose since this was one component we had not done anything to at this point, and as far as I know it's the original starter.

 

Hey cowdog86 that's also worth tracing back. It's all new wiring including the starter button but that doesn't mean it's done perfectly! What I don't understand is why it only happens on downhill runs if it is wiring. Maybe I missed the part in physics where electricity runs downhill?

 

If it happens only when you go uphill, then that pretty much lines it out to a physical position thing. A bare spot on a wire that touches a wire clip when going uphill , etc. Or the cheap Chinese made starter button is completing the ground when.going.uphill. Do this. Remove starter button. Ground the wire to start it . Throw a piece of tape around the end and go drive uphill.. I bet the starter button is faulty is my guessay from way up here.

 

Is the starter actually energized, or is the bendix just not kicking back?

 

i'm guessing a bad return spring on the starter bendix. had the same problem awhile back. down hill it would engage a little. up hill no problem. get access to your starter gear and see if you can move it out by hand easily (ground cable off of course) if you can the spring is bad and time for a new starter.

 

We will know the answer to that better after we pull it, but my guess is that the starter is energized by the sound of it. If it was because the bendix is not pulling back then we may need some parts of course. Or maybe a new starter. It has been many years since I've had anything to do with starters and solenoids but I'm sure it will come back.

Fun times. Good news is that everything else seems to be working well as far as we can tell, and with all the new parts that's promising.

 

That's quite specifically the same issue and a specific thing to check. That would mean the starter is not engaging, but slipping back into gear. Thanks.

 

Actually the old starter button but rewired - but your point is well taken. Worth checking and doable. We will check the bendix first I think, but it doesn't hurt to go over the rest of the wiring.

 

Your post said Uphill and Engaging. The only way that could happen is the ground path is completed in the starter / solenoid circuit. If the bendix alone is engaging then that obviously is a bendix/ starter part issue.