Starting Problem on Motorhome

[smokey5209]

Hello all

Need some help again.

I have a 2003 Pace Arrow on a W22 chassis w/8.1L Chevy and have been having problems starting it.

Battery voltage is usually 12.2 to 12.5 before cranking.

What happens is when it is cold, I put the key in and turn it to start and it just clicks like dead battery. I release the key and hit it again and it fires right up. To confuse things more on occasion I will try and start it and when I turn the key it will click 3 or 4 times and then just fire up.

I am leaning toward a solenoid problem.

Once in a while after running a while I have a problem on the restart the starter bogs down like the battery needs help to start it but I contribute that to heat. Am I right on that assumption?

I have not crawled underneath but if it turns out to be a solenoid can it just be replaced or would it be in my best interest to change starter motor and solenoid as one unit?

Thanks In Advance
Ed

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokey5209 Hello all Battery voltage is usually 12.2 to 12.5 before cranking. What happens is when it is cold, I put the key in and turn it to start and it just clicks like dead battery. I release the key and hit it again and it fires right up. To confuse things more on occasion I will try and start it and when I turn the key it will click 3 or 4 times and then just fire up.

Ed, Are the battery terminals - clean and tight?

[garyspang]

Hi Smokey5209, ED
You probably have a corroded connection between the starter solenoid and the battery. Remove the battery terminals and clean them with a battery terminal brush until the post and clamp are shiny. Frequently this problem is not visible just by looking at the terminals.
The solenoid clicking is indicative of a connection problem. You can verify this by measuring the battery voltage on top of the battery posts, not clamps, while the relay is chattering. The voltage may vary by 1/2 volt or so indicating the battery is OK. The same measurement at the solenoid coil connection may give you a 4 to 6 volt drop during the relay chatter indicating a poor electrical connection. After trying it with relay chatter the bad connection heats up, expands and closes the previous bad connection.
Take your time, have a coffee and get alligator clip extensions for your meter.
Gary

[smokey5209]

The battery is a side terminal battery and the connections are clean because I had a new battery put in last fall, I will double check them and also check the connection at the solenoid end.

Ed

[Steve N Sal]

Check the battery terminals and the ground at the starter as well. How old is the battery in the coach. If it's original it just might be time to replace it. Ours is an 04 and I had to replace the battery last summer.

[smokey5209]

I wish to thank everyone for the insight, as usual you all are a wealth of information.

Now it is time to crawl under and look things over.

Thanks again
Ed

[smokey5209]

Went under the motorhome and checked connections all was tight and clean. Had my son go under when I started it and he said when I tried to start it , that it sounded like a handful of gravel going around inside it, but it still started.

Ed

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokey5209 Had my son go under when I started it and he said when I tried to start it , that it sounded like a handful of gravel going around inside it, but it still started.

Ed, Curious to find out what the gravel noise would be? I wonder if it could be the solenoid chattering?

[smokey5209]

Driver

Will let you know, I am having the starter replaced on March 1.

Ed

[Jeepster47]

smokey5209,

Last December I had a few times that our MH would not start. A WCMC club member, that is a college automotive mechanics teacher, used a volt meter and determined that the starter was getting power but not starting. Towed to dealership and tech evaluated that the starter was faulty. New starter w/ solenoid replaced and no more problems. Would like to have been able to keep the old starter w/ solenoid to inspect and maybe rebuild it, but the shop needed it for return core. Manager said that he has seen only a few starters on 8.1 engines fail.

Ed

[wa7hra]

About a month ago, my engine would not start. I called "Coach-Net" and talked to a technician who told me that if I had power to the starter and the starter motor would not run, the starter needed to be replaced. He was right.

The big problem was getting the right starter for my rig which is a 2003 model but has a 2002 engine in it. (this was news to me) The fourth parts store I went to recognized the old starter as the same as was used in GM trucks in 2002. He had to order one and it took a couple of days to come from the warehouse. Cost was $139. I installed it myself with no problem.

Bob, wa7hra..............

[wa7hra]

I forgot to mention that when I found that I couldn't start my engine, I was headed for the dump. My black tank was full and my fresh water was empty. Arghhh. I had to call for someone to come to my dry camp to pump and fill.

Bob, wa7hra.......