Hey guys,

Looking for some advice on my starter. Just bought a 1993, f250, 7.3 idi diesel about a month ago. Recently realized that my positive battery cable was corroded, so I changed it out. While changing it out, I screwed up the small 12-14 gauge red wire that runs from the fender solenoid to the starter solenoid. So I changed that out also with a new one. While I was attaching that wire, I tightened it too much and the bolt at the starter solenoid now spins freely. Subsequently, the starter solenoid is screwed up and I am in the process of pulling the starter so that I can repair the solenoid wiring.

My question is whether or not I should just go ahead and buy a new solenoid/starter (since I'm already pulling it out)? The truck has 306k miles, and it appears that the current starter is the original starter. What is the average life expectancy of a starter? I know that it depends on whether those 306k miles were highway miles, or around town, but just looking for an average time frame. I don't want to fix the solenoid now, and then have to go back and replace the starter in a few months.

 

The starter on my `87 burnt out (my fault) and I replaced it with a new one. The over-run clutch lasted about 4 hours so got another new one. This one is still good.
If it was me I would fix the one you have, may be better than a new one.
Just my opinion.

 

Thanks. Not only is this my first diesel, but this is the first time that I've really done much "fixing" of my vehicles. I worked at a junkyard while in high school, but my job was just to remove the parts. Never had to make the part actually fit anywhere again.

Luckily this truck is not my primary vehicle, so I've got time to play and learn.

 

couldn t hurt to run it to a starter rebuild shop , but then again my 93 f250 has gone now 5 years with no starter prob. im sure its one of the jap. ones, mitsubishi. if it seems to work good id keep using it. u should be able to change your starter in a half hour, with right tools. i d think u would notice a drag if it was going bad.

 

i got mine rebuilt at 370k. Cranks over way faster now. cost 110 bucks.

 

I got one of the gear reduction starters from the guy on ebay and it is great. Little over $100 with shipping.

 

Late follow up here:
I ended up replacing the starter last year. Then, around May of this year I again started having starter problems. For whatever reason, I had an odd feeling that the problem was that the starter trigger wire was too small thereby causing me to have problems only when the weather warmed up. My reasoning was that electricity is not conducted as well at higher temps compared to lower, and therefore that was why i was only having problems when the weather was warm.

The starter trigger wire was a 12 gauge. I asked several mechanics and parts suppliers, and they all looked at me like I was crazy. Regardless, I removed the 12 gauge and replaced it with 10 gauge. I have had no problems since I swapped to the 10 gauge.

Long story short; make sure that the previous owner of your truck didn't use a 12 gauge starter trigger wire.

 

Good to know... my starter died a few months after I bought my truck. I bought a re-man from autozone with lifetime warrantee. Was expensive, like $230 at the time. However, I have now replaced it four times for free. Are they junk? Oh yes, autozone starters are junk but they are going to keep giving me free ones for ever, and ever, and ever... I will get my $230 worth, yes I will

 

Hmmm.... around here Autozone will only warranty a part ONCE If it wears out again, it's on your dime. I think I about broke em when I was running a lifted early Bronco in the mud.... U-joints and brake shoes were replaced regularly