Starter Scare

[psyflyjohn]

Well, after an expensive replacement of the A/C compressor, the starter just went "click" this morning. Checked the battery - 13 volts, engaged the Emergency Boost - still a "click". Tightened the connections to the starter. After about 10 turns of the key and more "clicks", it finally engaged the starter, and fired-up. Later, it fires up on the turn of the key.

Now I wonder what happened? Could this be the beginning of the starter going bad?

Ideas?

2004 Sea Breeze, 8.1 Workhorse, 30K miles.

[psyflyjohn]

Well, after an expensive replacement of the A/C compressor, the starter just went "click" this morning. Checked the battery - 13 volts, engaged the Emergency Boost - still a "click". Tightened the connections to the starter. After about 10 turns of the key and more "clicks", it finally engaged the starter, and fired-up. Later, it fires up on the turn of the key.

Now I wonder what happened? Could this be the beginning of the starter going bad?

Ideas?

2004 Sea Breeze, 8.1 Workhorse, 30K miles.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by psyflyjohn:
Now I wonder what happened? Could this be the beginning of the starter going bad?. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>psyflyjohn, Most likely yes. I had the same failure and it was indeed related to the solenoid. A starter replacement early in 2006 resolved the issue and it's working consistently well since.

[Joe Gilbert]

I had the same problem on my trip west last Oct. After talking with Workhorse I was directed to a Ford dealer for Worlhorse and a stater was suppose to be overnighted from Workhorse. To make a long story short Workhorse never shipped the starter so we continued on our 5300 mile trip. When we got to Florida for the winter I went to a Workhorse service center and was bacically told they would do nothing unless it actually failed to start.

I've checked all connections and grounds. All is OK.

The good news is it has not happened again. The bad news is you can bet it will happen again.

DriVer; any words of wisdom?

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Joe Gilbert:
DriVer; any words of wisdom? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>My starter infrequently failed and never while I was expecting it to. While I was camping at Green Acres in Walterboro, SC it failed again. A GM tech came out and all he did was to jumper the solenoid with the key in the on position and the engine started.

It was at this point that I was able to rule out the bad solenoid and that I would have to get the starter replaced in the near term.

I left Walterboro and went back to Myrtle Beach from there the starter repetitively turned over the engine without fail. We resumed our travels and on my way out West I stopped in at Pegues Hurst Truck Center in Bossier City, LA. Arriving, a starter was there waiting for me to arrive.

It's been working fine since then. Initially I thought that the pinion engagement was tight since it made an unusual after spin sound but that has seemed to resolve itself in time.

Unlike the 454 starter there are no shims that may need to be installed on the 8.1 starter motor. The starter I might add is smaller than you would expect and a lot heavier than it would seem just sitting there.

[Joe Gilbert]

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure if I have a solenoid problem or a starter problem. Mine wouldn't start for about 1/2 hr. I was able to determine that the problem was not in the shift lever (must be in "park" to start) at which point I pulled on my coveralls, tried to start it once more before going under with my voltmeter, and of course it started. No problem since but I'm sure that one of these days....

The starter is small but don't let that fool you. GM developed the special magnet material which allows a huge amount of power to be generated in a very small package. Good technology but as we know nothing is perfect.

[psyflyjohn]

Here is a follow-up for the starter scare. It happened again, and I went under the motorhome to check wiring tightness, which was ok. Then I rapped on the starter with a wrench. It started after that. Decided to replace the starter (about $300), which was relatively easy to do. Works ok now. This was right after spending $1000 on replacing the A/C compressor. This reinforces my theory that american automotive manufacturers still make junk.

[bowats]

The 8.1 starter and solenoid gets too much heat off of the exhaust manifold. The solenoid on my first starter was literally toasted when I replaced it a year ago. I did not reinstall the heat shield that came with the original starter as it would not fit the replacement starter. So far no problemo.

[Full-Timers]

My 77 Chevy PU used to do the same thing. Had to wait until the starter cooled down before it would start. Finally replaced the starter with a cheapy (probably made in Japan or China) from Kragen and never had a problem since.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Full-Timers:
Finally replaced the starter with a cheapy (probably made in Japan or China) from Kragen and never had a problem since. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>My expereince with Chevy starters was similiar. Our friend Glen purchased a super starter for his 454 from "CW" many years ago and it's still working today - last I heard.

[budget]

The cable to the solenoid has a tab on it to help hold the weight of the big cable. Our tab was not installed in the slot by WH and allowed the weight of the cable to evenually crack the bolt stud inside the housing causing a random problem. Don't just check the tightness of the nut but look at the tab.