1999 Tradwinds 3126b Cat pusher Occassional starting problems

[ddupille]

Once in a while the key switch will not engage the stater. If I run the generator for a few minutes it seems to clear the problem. I can hear it clicking from the engine compartment when it's not working. It dosen't happen all the time and nothing I'm aware of creates the problem.
Thoughts anyone?
Dave

[Mike Canter]

Well if you hear a clicking then it is NOT your ignition switch. That leaves two possibilities and since you say that you run the genset and then it will start makes me believe that you have a bad chassis battery(s) that is holding just a surface charge. My recomendation would be first thing to take out the chassis battery(s) and take them to Pep Boys, Sears or Auto Zone or any other car speciality shop and have them tested under load. While you have the batteries out then wire brush the inside of the battery cables until they are bright. Also do that to the battery posts before you put them back in.

If your batteries check good under load and the battery cables are clean and tight then the next posibility is the starter solenoid is bad.

[Vegasdan]

I agree, bad chassis batteries or bad connections on the battery cables.

[ddupille]

Thanks for the comeback and the posts. I neglected to post that I had already check out the chassis batteries and their connections. And since my first post it continues to remain an intermittent issue. Any chance it may be in the ignition switch or how would I rule out the starter solenoid?

Thanks

Dave Dupille
Retired firefighter/Asst. Chief

[dishonestjon]

check your cable connection to and from the starting solenoid to the starter and the starter grounding. The reason you have to run your generator is to build up more voltage to overcome a poor connection. Check loose bolts on starter. Grounding is just as important as power connections. If either are bad ,you would get the same malfuntion. Also check battery chassis grounding.
Hope this helps.

[OLYLEN]

Could also be the starting solenoid as they get old the contacts can corrode.

LEN

[RLS]

I had that problem a couple years ago. It turned out to be the starter solenoid. Replaced and cleaned all cable connections, Has been OK ever since. Cost was I think about 11.00 or 12.00 dollars.

[Skip426]

Terminoligy, please, Starter relay vs Solinoid . The relay takes the voltage signal from the ignition switch, and then transfers battery power to the starter solinoid, on the starter. The electromagnet in the solinoid; activated by the relay power; closes a circuit; internal in the solinoid; to supply battery power to the starter brushes, at the same time a push rod in the solinoid engauges the starter drive into the flywheel. If you can access the starter during the no start condition and check for power to the solinoid terminal,with a helper turning the key, you can isolate the problem.No power you have a relay problem, power , and no start a solinoid issue. In my coach the internal contacts in the solinoid are acessable with the starter in the coach. The
plate covering them comes off with 3 small bolts, and the spring loaded plunger can be removed to access the contact plate and terminals. Remove this cover only when the chassis batteries are disconnected. Just had to do mine in March for a similar condition.

[Skip426]

More info ; the contacts in the solinoid may only need cleaning; if they are black, just clean with emery cloth. If they are erroded from arcing, they will have to be replaced. I got lucky and just had to clean mine.

[ddupille]

Thanks for all the info from everyone. After I posted the question I went out and checked the starter connections and found the positive post nut was loose. Consequently a bad connection was evident. I disconnected the batteries and removed the wires and wire-brushed them clean and reconnected them. The starter never sounded so good.
Mr. Dishonestjon was right on the mark.