Buzzing sound Ident?
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Summit, NJ
New Problem
Greetings, y'all..
So I went to start my truck this afternoon and all I hear is a loud buzzing sound. The starter doesn't even try to move or engage. It almost sounds like an electrical arcing sound.
I tried replacing the solenoid (the one on there was new) again and still the same. Whatever it is, it definitely sounds like it's mounted to a fender or something else sheet metal. The battery cables are new, the Voltage regulator is new.. the only two crusty parts on there is this little cylindrical thing that shares a screw with the voltage regulator and the other crusty part is mounted in between the starter solenoid and the battery.
I'm trying to figure out whether its better to just replace the crusty parts and try that out or to find out which part is the problem. I double checked all the grounds, and they seem pretty good. The truck has never done this before. Many thanks!
James
So I went to start my truck this afternoon and all I hear is a loud buzzing sound. The starter doesn't even try to move or engage. It almost sounds like an electrical arcing sound.
I tried replacing the solenoid (the one on there was new) again and still the same. Whatever it is, it definitely sounds like it's mounted to a fender or something else sheet metal. The battery cables are new, the Voltage regulator is new.. the only two crusty parts on there is this little cylindrical thing that shares a screw with the voltage regulator and the other crusty part is mounted in between the starter solenoid and the battery.
I'm trying to figure out whether its better to just replace the crusty parts and try that out or to find out which part is the problem. I double checked all the grounds, and they seem pretty good. The truck has never done this before. Many thanks!
James
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Elizabeth City, NC
Re: New Problem
Originally posted by 1970f2504x4
Greetings, y'all..
the only two crusty parts on there is this little cylindrical thing that shares a screw with the voltage regulator
This is an interference suppression device for the radio.
and the other crusty part is mounted in between the starter solenoid and the battery.
Horn relay???
Greetings, y'all..
the only two crusty parts on there is this little cylindrical thing that shares a screw with the voltage regulator
This is an interference suppression device for the radio.
and the other crusty part is mounted in between the starter solenoid and the battery.
Horn relay???
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 497
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From: Houston TX
Where does the arcing sound like it's coming from? I'd try it in the dark while someone is looking around the starter/engine area and see if they can see anything. Almost sounds like your starter grounded out, or shorted a winding, but hard to say without seeing/hearing it. Unhook the hot cable to the starter and see if it still does it. If it quits, you may have a kaput starter. This would be pretty rare. I don't think I've ever actually seen this before with a starter... Most go south in other ways...But I see it in lots of electric motors. If it's grounded or shorted, it's probably drawing a lot of current, and should be dimming the lights a bit when this happens. If it's not dimming lights, might be something else..MK
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 238
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From: Bridgeville,CA
I have seen cases where the corrosion in a battery terminal made a frying bacon sound. Take a voltmeter and check the voltage at the starter while someone tries to crank the engine. if it isn't at least 10 volts then start looking for the reason.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Wesley Chapel, FLA
I'm not exactly clear on your descriptions but on the fender well near the battery there is the starter relay.(That other crusty part?) The positive cable from the battery goes directly to it, then through it to another cable that goes to the starter. The ignition switch works the relay instead of having all that current going through the switch back to the starter, which would take a much heavier switch for one thing. Perhaps that is your problem. It could do what you are describing.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 602
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From: Huntersville
Sounds to me like he's describing the sound the solinoid makes when the battery is about dead. The real fast clicking sound sounds like a buzzing sometimes. Try charging your battery and cleaning all the connections
Clint
Clint
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 85
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From: Solano County
Have you checked to make sure the primary from your seloniod to starter is tight. I had a similar problem twice. once it was the primary came loose at the starter the second time the positive post on the starter backed out and wasnot making a good enough connection.
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From: Summit, NJ
I never thought about the possibility the battery might be dead. I'll finally have some more time tommorrow morning to fiddle with the truck (Holidays and shopping kept be booked the last 3-4 days). The starter, solenoid, battery cables are all new and the connections are clean. I'll try jumping it first to see if there is any difference.. I'll then try pulling the solenoid to battery cable to rule out the starter.. then I guess we go from there! (I may even have time to do that tonight after work). I'll keep y'all posted 
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From: Summit, NJ
Well Clint,
Your guess was correct! The battery was low. I jumpstarted the truck and it fired right up. The alternator is charging and the truck runs fine. After driving it around a while, I finally parked it and decided to see if any power was drawing when the key was shut off. I pulled the positive battery cable off and put my meter in series between the battery and cable. Something appears to be discharging and drawing less and less voltage. It started out around 1.3 volts drawing... and is now down to .2 volts. I don't have a Radio or clock in the truck. The last time I had a power drawing problem, it was the module that is located next to the radiator. This time I pulled the cable off that.. no change. It was still drawing something that was pulling less and less. Is there a capacitor somewhere that slowly discharges? I'm just wondering what draws a few volts and draws less and less (with everything OFF). Perhaps this is normal?
The only other thing I can think of that can draw the battery down is once in a while my brake lights will stick on without me knowing it...
Your guess was correct! The battery was low. I jumpstarted the truck and it fired right up. The alternator is charging and the truck runs fine. After driving it around a while, I finally parked it and decided to see if any power was drawing when the key was shut off. I pulled the positive battery cable off and put my meter in series between the battery and cable. Something appears to be discharging and drawing less and less voltage. It started out around 1.3 volts drawing... and is now down to .2 volts. I don't have a Radio or clock in the truck. The last time I had a power drawing problem, it was the module that is located next to the radiator. This time I pulled the cable off that.. no change. It was still drawing something that was pulling less and less. Is there a capacitor somewhere that slowly discharges? I'm just wondering what draws a few volts and draws less and less (with everything OFF). Perhaps this is normal?
The only other thing I can think of that can draw the battery down is once in a while my brake lights will stick on without me knowing it...
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