Intermittent starter issue
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New User
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Intermittent starter issue
I have been having an intermittent starter issue. Everything works fine and then I jump in to start the truck and I get noise that sounds like the starter is not engaging the flywheel and the motor does not turn.
Should I just change the starter or solenoid or both? I don't want to wreck the flywheel. Would there be something else to look at?
Thanks,
Don,
Should I just change the starter or solenoid or both? I don't want to wreck the flywheel. Would there be something else to look at?
Thanks,
Don,
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
I have been having an intermittent starter issue. Everything works fine and then I jump in to start the truck and I get noise that sounds like the starter is not engaging the flywheel and the motor does not turn.
Should I just change the starter or solenoid or both? I don't want to wreck the flywheel. Would there be something else to look at?
Thanks,
Don,
Should I just change the starter or solenoid or both? I don't want to wreck the flywheel. Would there be something else to look at?
Thanks,
Don,
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
Not likely as when the bendix's fail they usually just fail. All it takes is for them to slip once and the rollers get flat spotted.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,251
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From: Kenner,La.
Starter engagement
Over a period of time and mileage the crankshaft main bearing thrust shoulders wear and the crankshaft can move slightly back and forth, the starter thrust washers also wear along with the drive teeth. If you change the starter it would be very helpful to be sure the drive is a new one and not rebuilt. Replace it with a new drive. When a starter drive is rebuilt the teeth are ground back and refinished. Take a close look at a new drive and a rebuilt one, sometimes the teeth are ground back 1/8” or more. So what happens is the starter is at full speed before engagement and you get the grinding which will eventually kill the flywheel. And whichever # cylinders you have is where the flywheel stops every time.
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New User
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Thank you all for the response. The starter seems tight, I will look into the new starter with the new drive.
Don,
Don,
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Senior User
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Gonna hitch a ride on this thread...my starter sounds like there is a dead battery...thunk, thunk...but when I push it a bit, or hammer on the starter, it will work...going to R+R starter in the am, question: Do I have to stay with whatever is in the truck, or can I install a gear reduction type starter to spin that old diesel a bit faster...'84 F250, 6.9idi, 4sp manual Thx for the replies!
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Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
They had two different types of starters the factory used on the old diesels, and one of them was a gear reduction starter. You may already have one on it.
This place has one that has good ratings if money is a factor. https://www.dbelectrical.com/ I think they sell this same starter on Amazon.
This place has one that has good ratings if money is a factor. https://www.dbelectrical.com/ I think they sell this same starter on Amazon.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
Gonna hitch a ride on this thread...my starter sounds like there is a dead battery...thunk, thunk...but when I push it a bit, or hammer on the starter, it will work...going to R+R starter in the am, question: Do I have to stay with whatever is in the truck, or can I install a gear reduction type starter to spin that old diesel a bit faster...'84 F250, 6.9idi, 4sp manual Thx for the replies!
Since it sounds like you have a drirect drive delco remy starter it may just need brushes. Hammering on the starter and it working is a good indication that the brushes are toast. Brushes are cheap and take about 5 mins to install once the starter is off. For a gear reduction unit go with the Mitsu unit.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2020
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Cool...if I were younger, I'd probably rebuild it..learned that in jr hi shop. Going to swap it out for new...want to make sure a gear reduction type will drop in even if the old one is direct drive...gotta spin that old diesel faster...thx much!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,606
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From: San Jose, CA
Might still be an easy swap, but my book says that the '83 and '84 used only the Delco starter, while the '85 to '87's were the ones with either an "original Mitsubishi" or "replacement Nippon Denso" starter.
Don't know if they wire up all three the same, or if you have to tweak things a bit, but it sounds like the others know their way around these 6.9's enough to get you there.
Good luck.
Paul
Don't know if they wire up all three the same, or if you have to tweak things a bit, but it sounds like the others know their way around these 6.9's enough to get you there.
Good luck.
Paul
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,606
Likes: 1,175
From: San Jose, CA
Started off by doing it once every few weeks, then got down to every few days. Until it just would no longer engage no matter what I did.
Replacement starter fixed it for the next 15 years or so.
Paul
Moderator
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From: Virginia
No matter what starter he has, the old diesels used a starter with the solenoid on the starter itself. It almost sounds like the copper washer in the back of the solenoid that makes the connection to the starter motor is burnt up. He keeps hitting it till it finally makes connection.
But by this time the whole thing is probably worn out, a whole new starter would be a good thing. Those old diesels are hard on starters when a little something goes wrong with the engine.
But by this time the whole thing is probably worn out, a whole new starter would be a good thing. Those old diesels are hard on starters when a little something goes wrong with the engine.