What next?

I just put two new batteries in my truck thinking it would solve my starter issue. That lasted one day and now the truck will not start again. The pinion gear is not engaging and the starter spins down after I let off the key. I’ve checked the wiring and everything seems fine, does anyone have any other suggestions before I drop 170 on a new starter.

 

Sounds like you have a bad starter drive. A new starter should fix that.

 

It is possible to remove the starter and clean and relube the shaft and bendix and maybe the sloenoid. It's a fairly time consuming job, but if you have more time than money it can be done.
Joe

 

It is possible to remove the starter and clean and relube the shaft and bendix and maybe the solenoid. It's a fairly time consuming job, but if you have more time than money it can be done.
Joe

 

Tell you from experience, buy a new starter not a rebuilt. A rebuilt will last less than a year. A new one will last several years and is worth the extra price.

 

Old starter failed a bench test...got new one and installed it, works fine. Never mind I'm outside in 24 degree weather with my hands numb. Now I have to find the bad glow plugs that are giving me fits. Thanks for all the help.

 

Man I'm sorry to hear that.
Don't feel bad though, I had a buddy of mine call me broken down up in the hills last night. The temp was -7 F. It was a brutal and long cold evening.
I had a feeling there was more to it than your batteries.
I wrapped mine with a heat shield since it's right by exhaust, and it keeps it a lot cooler. Hopefully it'll make it last a little longer.
They sure are little for the 444 cu. in. of diesel they have to turn over.
Well at least that's one less thing you need to worry about for a while.

Hope the wallet bleeding stops soon for you,

Austin

 

The reason the starters can be so small is because of the planetary design. The planetary design gives a 3.5:1 ratio over a direct-drive starter. The starter motor has to spin 3.5 times faster however, but it takes 3.5 times less torque to crank over the high compression engine. It does just as good as a job as a 60-70 pound starter that you can find on the OTR trucks. Even on some of the newer OTR engines, they are moving to planetary starters for lighter weight and smaller size. I've had to lug a starter off a 3406B and boy are they heavy to hold with one hand when you try to get a bolt started.