Freightliner FL70 Cat 3126 Starter Solenoid Issue

My ‘99 and the ‘03 we had both have an extra remote solenoid (oldschool Ford style) bolted to the firewall on right side under the coolant tank. They go bad and will not allow enough current to the solenoid on the starter.

 

If the solenoid I mentioned is the one you are referring to then check the ignition switch. I installed a push button start switch in both trucks because the oe key turn ignition switches are cheap and wear out quickly and they will not get full contact in start position causing no start or “click” start.

The Freightliner push button switch kit had the wire connectors to plug and play into the oe harness.

 

I put over a million miles on my ‘99 with 3 engines in 16 years and I believe I changed that firewall solenoid maybe once every 3 years and went through 3 starters. The ‘03 had that solenoid go bad a few times in its first 2 years under warranty. If I got memory right. They went from a 37MT starter on the 3126B’s in ‘99 to a 41MT on the 3126E’s in ‘03 and had more problems with that remote solenoid.