Starter engaging while hooking up batteries
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2015
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Starter engaging while hooking up batteries
Going to try and make this as short as possible. Not my truck but helping an elderly man. 2003 Excursion. First symptom was a dead starter while trying to turn the key to start. No click, noise, nothing. Unplugged yellow/blue wire, put to positive post and the starter would free spin but not engage the flywheel. He went out and bought a new starter. NOW the starter engages, turning over the motor over as soon as you connect the positive battery cable with the key in an off position. I went under w a volt meter while someone touched the cable, turning the engine over in hopes the tickler wire didn't have power and that the solenoid was defective internally but not that fortunate. The ticker wire reads same voltage as the main starter wire when engaged turning over engine and key off.I don't think any of this matters as there is direct power to the starter but did switch out starter relay 307 and checked fuses 113, 116. Suggestions on where to start from here. Could it be the key ignition? Any help is greatly appreciated
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,826
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From: Jersey Shore
Unless I’m misinterpreting what you wrote….
Unplug the solenoid wire at the fender and then put the battery cables on and see if the starter engages immediately.
You checked at the solenoid, positive when cables are connected. But that doesn’t confirm if the ‘power’ is coming from a defective solenoid or the starting circuit.
Unplug the solenoid wire at the fender and then put the battery cables on and see if the starter engages immediately.
You checked at the solenoid, positive when cables are connected. But that doesn’t confirm if the ‘power’ is coming from a defective solenoid or the starting circuit.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2015
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Thank you. I will check that tomm. When I went under with the volt meter (positive cables to battery and starter spinning, key off) I was hoping the tickler wire didn't have any power on it. That would tell me the Main starter wire was shorting out with the internal solenoid ground causing the starter to turn over meaning the solenoid was bad🤷 But like I said, the tickler wire had same voltage as the main wire. Maybe I'm thinking about it all wrong in that ^^^ aspect lol. I will report back on what happens by disconnecting the yellow/blue wire. Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,826
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From: Jersey Shore
The solenoid trigger post is getting voltage from somewhere, either within the solenoid or the starter circuit. Separating the connection at the fender, the 'jumping connection", would isolate the starter.
So then, if the starter starts to spin with the battery terminal connection but the "jumper" free in the air, it's with the starter.
So then, if the starter starts to spin with the battery terminal connection but the "jumper" free in the air, it's with the starter.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,504
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From: Woodbridge, Ontario, CA
.....and if it doesn't, check the other end of the jumper for power (it shouldn't obviously). If it does, then you need to trace backwards to isolate where the feed is originating.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 256
From: Woodbridge, Ontario, CA
Defective new starter.
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Hotshot
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2015
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Yes sir and I sincerely appreciate your time. The elderly gentleman also wanted to say thanks and ask your name. I just replied...I don't know his name but apparently he has Too Many Toys Hahaha...
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 256
From: Woodbridge, Ontario, CA
Just for confirmation, if you take your DVOM and set it to ohms, take your leads and touch the main battery positive post with one lead, and touch the 's' terminal with the other lead. If there's continuity, that means the two terminals are shorted together.
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