Starter issues..
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 320
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From: Dallas, Texas
Starter issues..
The other day (after about 4 days of rain), i went out to start up the truck, and nothing happened. Symptoms said it was a low battery. Charged up the battery, still nothing. Relay clicks but the starter never spins. I pulled the starter, tried hooking it up with jumper cables to the battery, and all it did was spark when i made the final connection (like the battery was shorting out). I took the starter up to AZ to get it tested, said it was good. Actually I had my spare starter tested too, also good. So i figured it was my battery. Took it up to Pep Boys to get it tested (that's where the free replacement would be from). Tested good, but it still seemed like it was shorting out. Got a new battery, tried hooking it up with cables to the starter, still just a spark.
Could the starter be shorting out but it somehow tested good at autozone?
getting frustrated! and i'm stranded at home until I fix this....any help is greatly appreciated!
Could the starter be shorting out but it somehow tested good at autozone?
getting frustrated! and i'm stranded at home until I fix this....any help is greatly appreciated!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Lewis Center OH
I am guessing here.
Is the AZ test actually spinning the starter? Is the power source at AZ AC powered and transformed to 13.9 v DC? Then when hooked to 12V (or maybe 11.sumpthin) the possibly dying (or damp) but not dead starter won't turn?
Maybe a good jump from a running vehicle (13.9 v)would get things turning and dried out?
Just questions I would be asking myself in your shoes.
Is the AZ test actually spinning the starter? Is the power source at AZ AC powered and transformed to 13.9 v DC? Then when hooked to 12V (or maybe 11.sumpthin) the possibly dying (or damp) but not dead starter won't turn?
Maybe a good jump from a running vehicle (13.9 v)would get things turning and dried out?
Just questions I would be asking myself in your shoes.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,271
Likes: 2
From: Mexia, TX
Put it back in, hook it all back up, then have someone attempt to start the vehicle while you carefully but firmly tap the starter with a hammer a few times as they're holding the key in the start position. If this makes the starter work, then the carbon brush assembly inside is sticking. You'd want to pick up a new starter if this is the case.
My family's Jeep Cherokee had the starter act up like this awhile back. It started only turning slowly, but then it stopped working altogether, and we'd only get a click under the hood from the starter relay. A few good taps with a tire iron got it to work long enough to start the engine.
My family's Jeep Cherokee had the starter act up like this awhile back. It started only turning slowly, but then it stopped working altogether, and we'd only get a click under the hood from the starter relay. A few good taps with a tire iron got it to work long enough to start the engine.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Something similar happened to me when the diaphragm in my mechanical fuel pump got a
leak and the engine crankcase filled with gasoline. So, my question is, is the engine even
capable of turning? Can you put a socket (I think 15/16ths) on the front bolt holding the
dampener on and turn over the engine by hand?
leak and the engine crankcase filled with gasoline. So, my question is, is the engine even
capable of turning? Can you put a socket (I think 15/16ths) on the front bolt holding the
dampener on and turn over the engine by hand?
5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
I had a problem a little while back with mine, I thought it was the starter. Same thing I'd turn the key and the relay would click but no starter movement, also everything in the truck went dead, I found out it was a bad battery cable, I pulled the cable out of the terminal and filed it down with my good old leatherman, put it back together and fired right up. I replaced both cables and was back in business. Just a thought for you to try if you arent sure of things to try. I could be wrong though, it may be something else. I am glad I tried this though, I was pricing a new starter and then I read that if the relay/solenoid is clicking it is probably not getting the proper voltage to turn the starter. Good Luck
