Starter would only click

[stearn]

When turning the key nothing happened! All the dash lights and radio seemed normal. I tried several times before opening battery hatch. Above the batteries their are several circuit breakers, but none seem to have anything to do with the engine. While my wife would try to start it I could hear the selonid clicking. Then all at once it started. We took her to the storage barn with no futher problem. I did have the coach aux switch off ,even while plugged in. I did turn it back on before trying to start her. Now for my question, could that aux switch have anything to do with it? Or the selonid that was clicking? I might add I heard nothing coming from the starter when it did this. I also used the switch to use coach batteries and that did not help either. Batteries fully charged. This is 8.1 w24 Winniebago 20K miles
Thanks in advance for your help !

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stearn This is 8.1 w24 Winnebago 20K miles Thanks in advance for your help !

Do you know exactly what your battery voltage was at the time that the event occurred?

If the voltage is up, the solenoid I believe would be suspect.

[stearn]

After trying a few times I only checked eng bat, and it read 12.2. That reading was from the board in the hall. When it did finally crank it sounded normal, (spun over fast). Is that selonid behind the batteries out of sight? I probably should have found it so I would have some numbers to get a replacement.

[Max Hubrich]

The starter solenoid is mounted on the starter itself.

The starter has to be dropped straight down, and the solenoid has to be replaced. I've been through this ordeal on the road.

You can choose to buy a complete rebuilt starter assembly at NAPA or some other auto parts store. Read this thread.

Good luck,

[Noleakman]

My 06 Sea Breeze did the same and the Manufacture spliced 2 cables from batterys to Starter or block the bolts were loose where they connected together I tightened up and OK How I checked was to put one ground cable on the house battery ground and one to the chassi battery ground and it worked that told me what it was loose ground!

[Full-Timers]

Could be the starter solenoid but if you say you heard the solenoid clicking I would say it’s the starter. At any rate if you replace the starter and solenoid as a unit, you should be fine.

[Good man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stearn After trying a few times I only checked eng bat, and it read 12.2. That reading was from the board in the hall. When it did finally crank it sounded normal, (spun over fast). Is that selonid behind the batteries out of sight? I probably should have found it so I would have some numbers to get a replacement.

stearn,
Before you replace anything, since your starter spun up fast ...try this:
Get your hands on a medium sized ball-peen hamer... (AKA as a fine adjustment tool )

CAREFULLY and SAFELY get under the coach and get access to the starter. Administer a couple of good smacks to the starter in an area where there is no danger of striking the solenoid or wiring.

What you are doing here is cleaning up the brushes/armature and knocking loose any corrosion where the starter grounds to the motor. You should also back off and retighten the mounting bolts.

Then tighten all wiring connections. This will rule out some of the more simple issues which may cause the symptoms you describe.

I doubt you need to replace the starter since it spun up so well. Depending on the solenoid, you may be able to replace the contacts if it is bad. A starter/alternator rebuild shop (of which there are fewer and fewer, may be able to get the parts for you.)
Good luck,
Jim

[stearn]

The clicking I heard seemed like it was behind the batteries, they are located under the step, which is middle of coach.That's why I wondered about the 12v shut off switch. I don't think it was coming from the starter. Would anyone have a part number for the soleniod ?

[Good man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stearn The clicking I heard seemed like it was behind the batteries, they are located under the step, which is middle of coach.That's why I wondered about the 12v shut off switch. I don't think it was coming from the starter. Would anyone have a part number for the soleniod ?

OK... then locate the "unhappy" solenoid or relay by having someone attempt to start the engine... follow your ears to it.

When you find it... make sure all connections are tight (back off and tighten them to "scrub" them). Test for consistent starting.

If you do need to replace that solenoid, you can match it at most any larger parts house.

You should still check tightness of the starter and all of its connections. All of the parts are interrelated... the voltage must be maintained throughout the entire starting circuit.
Let's keep checking back...
Jim

[Clay L]

Winnebago uses two solenoid/relays that on some models are in the battery compartment area - usually behind a removable panel or door.

One is the continuous duty AUX solenoid which is activated two ways:
1) By the momentary AUX switch on the dash. It is used to connect the engine battery and house batteries together while starting the engine if the engine battery is down.
2) By the run position on the ignition switch. This allows the alternator to charge both the engine and house batteries when the engine is running.

The other solenoid/relay is a latching type and is the battery disconnect solenoid. It is activated by the Battery Disconnect switch close to the door. It connects and disconnects the house batteries.

I don't know which one you were hearing but neither one should keep the starter/solenoid from working. I wonder if it could have been the AUX solenoid dropping out because the battery voltage was dropping a lot when the starter was trying to engage?

[mfire1339]

12.2 volts with no load not good.

Mike

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfire1339 12.2 volts with no load not good.

Mike, You're right, 12.2V ain't a lot of juice.

[stearn]

I will be getting it out of storage barn Monday, I will check voltage before I attempt to start it. The 12.2 reading was after trying several timesto start it. Maybe that pulled it down some? We will be heading west in November for the winter. I will be cleaning all connections, and replacing starter soleniod. Like most of you, I like to do the preventive maintenance, to try to elimate problems! I really appreciate all your help.