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is it the starter?

Detroit Dan

Detroit Dan

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Epping NH
Truck wouldn't start the other day, lights came on but no click or crank. Checked connections at batteries then it all of a sudden started to work. This has happened a couple of times now, and a couple times I got a wierd screech when it did start. I thought maybe ignition switch because I've had the column apart and changed the shifter before. But where it started after I pulled on the battery to starter cable, Im thinking the starter is getting old.

I was going to pull the wires off and clean and retighten them all, but I got underthere and couldn't even see the solenoid. Holy crap.

So, with 166k on it at 12 years old, should I just plan on changing the starter? I've priced them and they're not cheap, but I also have a rebuilder around here I'm going to talk to. Also, are they hard to change? I think there's a bracket up top out of sight, no idea how I'd change this thing. I've changed a dozen sbc starters, but nothing that ever looked so hard to get at.
 
It's really not to much harder than a sbc. Some guys are pulling out the inner fender to make access easier. By far the brkt is the hardest to get to. You don't need to take off the electrical connections until you have it loose just don't let it hang on the wires. I rebuilt mine not to big a job unless you fried it.
 
One other thing you can check if it is the starter or the ign swicth by checking for power at the small wire going to the sarter selenoid when you turn the keyto the start position.
 
Starter isn't that hard to replace.....You can get a good look at the solenoid and mounting bracket if you pull the small mud guard in the pass side wheel well.....When I replaced mine, I loosened the bracket from the block, then went underneath and removed the two bolts and she dropped right down. (She's a heavy sucker, so be ready) After she was down there was plenty of slack to remove the wires.....If you can get the wires loose before dropping it, all the better.
Not the worst job on these trucks.

Good Luck,
 
that's what I was worried about, if I tried dropping it down but the wires either didnt have enough slack or got broken in the process. Then putting it back up, maybe i could set it on a block or the floor jack to hold it while I hook all the wires back up.

thanks. I'm really not as dumb as I sound, it was just a little intimidating laying on my back looking up at it.


btw, I had a guy do some work on the truck years ago, he ripped both rubber fender liners out because he didn't feel they were important. I drove around for years like that, finally put the bodylift in last year and it came with new longer ones. Wouldn't you know that since they've been on there I've had to remove them like three times already to access different things, and every time have to buy a box of the clips. pita
 
Best way IMO to get the wires on is to take it off at the battery end and pull it down with the starter. The small wire going to the solenoid has enough slack to get it off when the starter is down. It makes it easier to get the battery wire off the starter without the danger of grounding the hot starter terminal. There should also be a loop on the frame that the battery wire passes through.
 
My truck did that once and it was a bad connection under the dash...do check for voltage at the little wire on the starter wile the key is in start so you don't throw away a good starter. I don't know what the screech would have been though....

I have always been able to take the wires lose with a socket while the starter is installed. I always undo the battery end first to prevent fireworks. For one reason or another I have taken the starter off at least 6 times in the last year....not fun. It is also allot easier to get to the rear bracket after getting the battery cable out of the way
 
my truck had a bad connection to the starter that made it crank when I had the key in waiting for the glo plugs. make sure wires are all good befoer replacing your starter engine
 
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