mercer transportation

Is it a 39MT starter? Does it have the overheat switch bolted to the top of the solenoid?

 

I believe the one that was replaced was a 39MT, the new was slightly different, actually had to move the solenoid to a different position on the starter. Not sure about the overheat switch. It has another solenoid looking device attached via a copper bus bar, maybe a relay?

 

We had a bad solenoid to our starter on the firewall. It was a quick cheap fix and we haven't had any problems for the last couple of years.

 

We have an '05 FL Columbia, Detroit 60 series

 

That's most likely a solenoid or relay problem and not a bad starter assuming the batteries and wiring are good.
Frank

 

Most likely its a ground issue. If it was bad spots on the ring gear you would still hear the starter gear spinning like mad. If its just going click... check your ground wires. Specifically the one from the starter to the frame, and the one on the solenoid(usually bolted to the firewall near the starter). Oh and buy a half inch breaker bar, a couple extensions and 12 pt 5/8ths socket. You can change a starter in an hour easy, but shops charge two full hours at top rate. So that's what 250+ bucks plus a high mark up on the starter. Do you make 250 an hour? I dont. And that's why i do my own maintenance.

Also, au diesel rebuilds starters in house and they are very reasonably priced (i think it was 175 for my m42 last year) and walking distance from the yard, about a half a mile down market.

 

The small thing on the solenoid is a heat switch. Those things are notorious for going bad. As was already stated, make sure all of your wiring is good and that your relay is good.

 

And check the frame ground from the batteries. Find it and unbolt and clean the cable end terminal and frame until the metal is shiny. Apply a thin coat of dielectric grease and reassemble. Spray with battery terminal sealer. If you can't find the sealer go to a home center and get a spray can of shellac. Same stuff.

Also whenever you go to the truck wash have the engine washed. Wherever dust and dirt collects moisture will be absorbed. Moisture equals corrosion and corrosion causes electrical problems.

A dirty engine compartment is like dirty underwear; both can lead to a RASH of problems!

(Sorry, an old fart (who was probably younger than I am now) told me that many years ago and this is the only time since I remembered to repeat it.)

Frank

 

The starter bendix moves into the ring gear, I know this because when I roll the engine over I can hear it release.
I sand papered my ground to the frame. My batteries are good, have 4x 700 CCA, all showing between 740 and 790 CCA.
Maybe, it could be a shim issue?

 

I use dielectric grease and sealer. All my connections are good and clean, no corrosion.
That's interesting about the engine washes. I typically don't get an engine wash, because I'm scared of the introduction of water to the ecm and other electrical connections and causing corrosion. I do my own engine area cleaning with a few rags and some purple cleaner.... mainly to help find leaks.