3 Starters in 10 Months???

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Crossbones, Dec 18, 2021.

  1. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    It's possible the new starter works because the electrical contacts are very clean on the new starter and after riding around under the hood for some times enough dirt and corrosion accumulates that the intermittent problem with the ground wire shows up again. Or during the process of installing the new starter the fault with the ground wire is accidentally being improved (bumped or pushed aside). Once it's installed the bumps of the road have the fault working back into the position that creates the "starter" problem.
     
    Crossbones Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

    13,527
    34,649
    May 25, 2017
    under a shade tree
    0
    that's my very best thought
     
    tscottme Thanks this.
  4. jamespmack

    jamespmack Road Train Member

    19,920
    214,890
    Mar 25, 2014
    OH
    0
    As @pushbroom said. Follow his recommendations.

    More than likely high resistance in circuit. But you need to find it. New starter draws less amps than used. I can't guarantee anything. But battery cables from batteries to starter may need replaced. And any frame ground. Old dirty cables work like going for a jog with a straw to breath through.


    Edit I mean @Goodysnap. Sorry Guys.
     
    Crossbones Thanks this.
  5. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

    7,756
    6,195
    Feb 4, 2009
    0
    That picture is just a broken heat shield. No big deal. Do you have one of those Maxwell engine start module ultracapacitors? Starters will burn out prematurely due to low cranking speed. So like mentioned, the cables really need to be checked to make sure you are getting good grounds and positive continuity. You need to do voltage drop tests between the starter positive stud, and battery positive stud. Then the same between the starter ground stud and battery ground stud. 0.25 volt drop is ideal, but no more than 0.50 per side. Also test the batteries.
     
    Dave_in_AZ and Crossbones Thank this.
  6. Lazer

    Lazer Road Train Member

    1,755
    2,769
    Jan 22, 2017
    0
    Do you have 3 batteries or 4?
     
  7. Crossbones

    Crossbones Light Load Member

    115
    66
    Mar 10, 2018
    Western NC
    0
    4. Well, actually 8. This has the no idle bunk heater so there is an additional bank of 4 hanging off the frame rail. Absolutely worthless feature.
     
  8. Crossbones

    Crossbones Light Load Member

    115
    66
    Mar 10, 2018
    Western NC
    0
    I went through the service records for this truck last night all the way to 2014. (Ryder Truck) Not one mention of a starter issue. A month after I bought it, I replaced the stock stereo with something a bit nicer. Then all this started. Could that even possibly be the cause? I'm sure they used the original wiring harness which is of course tied into the ignition power.
     
  9. Dorego401

    Dorego401 Bobtail Member

    31
    5
    Oct 11, 2020
    0
    I had the same issue. Went throug 3 starters within 5 months . Replaced the batteries and solenoid on firewall the last time I did the starter and haven’t had any issues since .
     
    Dave_in_AZ Thanks this.
  10. Crossbones

    Crossbones Light Load Member

    115
    66
    Mar 10, 2018
    Western NC
    0
    If there is a solonoid on the firewall, I sure can't find it. Batteries are all new.
     
  11. '88K100

    '88K100 Road Train Member

    1,306
    2,807
    Aug 23, 2020
    0
    My personal vehicle did that..after the third starter in 7 years i wired push button switch to starter. I assume its my ignition switch but have not bothered to investigate further. No issues since.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.