Electrical issue, I'm stumped! Help!
Der Postmeister
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,859
Likes: 560
From: Long Beach, Calimexiforia
Some things I found, see if it helps you. EVTM book shows negative battery cable routed from battery to engine block then starter housing. A second cable starts on the block, I think it goes to frame. My truck was missing the grounds to frame and starter. I added one to frame but missed the starter. Measuring the volts to starter solenoid from ignition switch, I get 12 in start position, 5 in run and event .4 with key in ignition but off. I see many brittle wires with cracks in the insulation. My next step will be to remove the engine harness and replace wires as needed. Before I think about starter system.
It was suggested to me the solenoid would stick if the starter drew too much current. After I fix the harness I will have a parts house test the starter.
It was suggested to me the solenoid would stick if the starter drew too much current. After I fix the harness I will have a parts house test the starter.
The problem you guy's are experiencing is more common than you'd think. I've seen how to work around it, but yet to pin the exact cause. My thinking is it's more a perfect storm of a few causes that combine.
Current doesn't melt stuff by itself. Amperage!!! The more efficiently the current is handled, the less amperage is produced. I keep thinking of it as water flow. Larger pipe, less restriction/ less resistance. Resistance = amperage = heat. Poor connections/ less efficient (effective) application = restriction/resistance/amperage/heat/..............."pooched starter solenoid"!
