2015 Freightliner making clunking noise when trying to start

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by DaTruckerMan, Jul 3, 2024.

  1. DaTruckerMan

    DaTruckerMan Bobtail Member

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    https://youtube.com/shorts/IeXHDsjm348?si=MTEKCEb0XDT8vaGi

    I’ve been dealing with this intermittent starting issue with my 2015 Freightliner Cascadia. I’ve checked, cleaned and replaced battery terminals and cables. I also Volt meter tested to make sure it was getting proper Volts. Found a wire that was faulty and replaced. That solved the issue no crank no click or nothing. Not to soon after I replaced the starter. After removing the old starter and inspecting the only thing I could see was that there was a lot of play In the shaft. Recently while I was at rest stop I went to start it and it made this sound. I’ve included a video. Has anyone had this exact thing happen and what was the fix. Any and all input and suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
     
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  3. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    It sounds like the starter is engaging but doesn’t have enough amperage to turn the motor over.
    If all the cables are good, then you need to load test the batteries.
     
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  4. DaTruckerMan

    DaTruckerMan Bobtail Member

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    New Jersey
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    Yeah we did that and the batteries were good. Would a problem with the Sam Chassis module cause an issue with starting the truck?
     
  5. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    @QUALITYTRUCK probably can answer that better than me.
    I would do a voltage drop test to make sure the new cables are good.
     
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  6. MAMservices

    MAMservices Medium Load Member

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    If those four distinct clunks were the result of holding the key in the start position one time, I would suspect the hold in solenoid itself may have issues. If they were four cycles of the key, and all batteries and cables were proven, I would still have to suspect solenoid, or the contacts inside. What do you do to get it to start when this occurs.
     
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  7. DaTruckerMan

    DaTruckerMan Bobtail Member

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    New Jersey
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    Those 4 clunks was from 1 turn of the key and holding it. When this happens..I have a cable with a metal loop tab on both ends. I’ll use it to jump the starter and let it crank for a second. Sometimes it’ll start but if it doesn’t then I go back into the cab and turn the key off afterwards and then turn back on. Let the needles sweep and crank it again with the key and it’ll crank right over. I’m thinking there has to be a short somewhere in the system that im missing. Thankfully it has never left me stranded but it’s just a pain in the ### that I can’t get to the root of the problem.
     
  8. MAMservices

    MAMservices Medium Load Member

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    Next time it does this try jumping the mag switch on the firewall first to see if it will whirl over. If you can jump the starter solenoid and it cranks right away that kinda eliminates the starter switch.
     
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  9. Gridaxe5588

    Gridaxe5588 Light Load Member

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    Our 2016 DD13 has been doing that for over a year now, not as loud clunk as yours but the same sound. Have had everything checked out to no avail, and of course every time we have it looked at it never does it, we just turn the key to off and try again eventually it'll start, have never had to jump the starter. If you figure out please update.
     
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