Starter motor/solenoid issues

[mister]

Mines failed to turn three times in the last week, so been getting used to crawling under with a screwdriver and making a connection across the solenoid contacts to get her going. It seems to happen after a long drive.
My question is, is it better to replace or is it worth trying to recondition and if so what needs doing?
Cheers Andrew.

 

[froggy]

Just replace the solenoid there is nothing that can be done to recondition it (apart from cleaning the terminals up) and ususally its the solenoid braking down (its only a coil) that is the issue with hot start problems

 

[mister]

Cheers Froggy

 

[bac2ba6]

used to have the exact same problem after a long run if i tried to start it within a few mins of stopping there was nothing ! if it had rested for 20 mins or so would fire straight up ! ( hot start ) i ended up putting a standard 30amp relay on the starter motor and seems to have solved the problem ( famous last words :lol: ) anyhow it only cost me about £5 to do so maybe worth trying as not too sure if you can still buy just the solenoids for the starters anymore ?????????? but maybe wrong

 

[bluenose]

look up 'hard start relay'

If it works off the screwdriver every time then this will most likely fix your probs

 

[bac2ba6]

basically this ! 10 mins to make up and 10 mins to fit ! just make sure the relay is well covered to keep dry

 

[froggy]

not too sure if you can still buy just the solenoids for the starters anymore ?????????? but maybe wrong

http://www.justkampers.com/search2?location=shop&method=match_all&keywords=starter+motor+solenoid
Fix it once, fix it right!

 

[mister]

Cheers guys for your replies. The relay looks a good fix if needed, and when looking for a solenoid I couldn't find one that was separate to the whole starter motor so was considering doing it. Thanks for the link froggy, you second guessed my next question "does anyone know where you can get just the solenoid"!

 

[strongy]

i solve mine every now and again with a hammer works a treat lol

really should get it sorted as im sure one day the hammer treatment will let me down.

 

[froggy]

Cheers guys for your replies. The relay looks a good fix if needed, and when looking for a solenoid I couldn't find one that was separate to the whole starter motor so was considering doing it. Thanks for the link froggy, you second guessed my next question "does anyone know where you can get just the solenoid"!

The link is for the solenoid

 

[Geeze]

Just watch out, sometimes it's the switch starting to fail, not the solenoid (contacts break down and won't flow enough current). The starter relay still cures it as the switch will stay flow enough to power the relay 8)

 

[mister]

OK so this is exactly what happens & only after a good long run...Turn the key, all the lights come on but nothing happens, no sounds at all from the back. putting it in third and pushing it backwards yields no results, neither does whacking it with a mallet! Putting a screwdriver across the solenoid contacts produces a nice spark and a whirring noise. Then back in the cab turn the key and it starts first time. Solenoid or switch?
Cheers dudes

 

[froggy]

Get a volt meter and check the voltage across the solenoid terminals next ime it re-fuses to start. Turn the key and if there is no voltage then its the switch, if there is voltage then its the solenoid getting hot and going open circuit OR high resistance in the wiring from the switch