Community Forums

Bees · 07-17-2014, 07:06 AM

Has anyone had an experience replacing the starter? Is this something we could do or should it be towed to a Cummins dealer? Problem we're having is it's blocked in at the storage facility and couldn't get it out for now.

broadrun · 07-17-2014, 07:17 AM

It depends on your skill level. I've never done it on this big a motor and by the looks of it the starter it must be very heavy but it is not a tough job mechanically speaking.

Being able to start your rig won't help however if it is still blocked in ;-)

Bees · 07-17-2014, 07:28 AM

If we can start it we can back it out. It just can't be towed out of there because they have to hook to the front

R2Home · 07-17-2014, 09:14 AM

I have changed starters in different rigs and as long as you have some mechanical skills, the tools and a way to lift/hold the starter, there is no reason that one could not do it their selves. One suggestion would be to take some 'good' pictures before you start so that you know where all of the wires go. Do not get in a hurry though and this is not for the 'faint of heart'!

jd7566 · 07-17-2014, 06:32 PM

I replaced the starter on my 1999 Diplomat. It was cumbersome reaching around the exhaust, but overall fairly easy. Cut power, 3 bolts removes the starter, 2 nuts on the solenoid, reverse procedure, start bus.

ahicks · 07-17-2014, 06:37 PM

Just wondering why you think it's bad?

jimbo2013 · 07-17-2014, 06:39 PM

it's doe-able, a floor jack or helper it's heavy, about an hour.

$300 to rebuild yours

Bees · 07-17-2014, 07:15 PM

clicking noise in the back when we turn the key. Lights go on but won't start. We took the batteries out and had them tested and had the starter jumped as well and still wouldn't start.

ahicks · 07-18-2014, 05:40 AM

There are mobile truck techs, that work out of their trucks, who work on trucks that have broken down on the road. Not talking about mobile a RV tech. The guys I'm talking about are pros when it comes to working on diesel rigs. Before you arrange to have that starter pulled, suggest you have somebody like this have a look at your problem?

Your local Cummins/Freightliner/Peterbuilt/local major truck repair facility might be able to suggest somebody local. Avoid anyone with any type of RV or RV dealer affiliation. In this case, they're not the guy you need.... You need a truck guy.

Best of luck! -Al

Tizbad · 07-18-2014, 06:34 AM

Just for fun, you might try hitting the starter with a hammer a couple of times. Sometimes this will cause just enough movement inside the starter to allow it to work a few times before finally failing again. You might get lucky and be able to avoid towing?

K7JV · 07-18-2014, 07:11 AM

One thing you might try before you commit to the replacement of the starter is to verify the proper operation of the control circuits to the starter. To do that, if you can get a voltmeter on the primary power lug on the starter, itself, determine if 12V is actually present at the starter when the key is put in the start position. On our coach there are two relays in the rear run box that participate in energizing the starter. The smaller, the "start" solenoid, is sourced through a 15 amp fuse. The larger, the "starter" solenoid, is sourced through a 50 amp breaker. You can hear both of them click when engaging the starter. You might verify that both of those are functioning and that 12V is available at the starter before you begin the task of its R&R.

pipedream2 · 07-20-2014, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bees

clicking noise in the back when we turn the key. Lights go on but won't start. We took the batteries out and had them tested and had the starter jumped as well and still wouldn't start.

Take the main ground from starter and clean the connection on the chassis first......then the other end at the starter

That is famous for corroding.....carries heavy amperage when starting

Bees · 07-21-2014, 07:16 PM

Heard that one from several people and I banged the heck out of it. Took out a lot of frustration under there.

Bees · 07-31-2014, 06:02 AM

Got it going and it was the starter. Had it rebuilt. A big shout out to Han's Electric in Wixom, MI. A young man we know took it off in about 1/2 hr and replaced it in about the same time. It weighs about 75 lbs so I suggest if you need to have it replaced, find someone young and strong like we did.