Starting Issue

[joeanddeb]

We have a 2011 Phaeton on a 2010 Freightliner chassis. Have taken 4 trips, less than 4000 miles. After running for at least 2 hours and then turning the unit off, the unit has failed to start 4 times. The lights on dash come on, and warning alarm sounds, all normal, but the starter does not engage and engine does not turn over. Wait 45 minutes or so, and doing nothing except turning ignition key, the unit will start. Issue has not re-occurred at service center, and Freightliner has replaced the starter, which did not solve problem. Freightliner support wants me to take dash apart next time it happens and disconnect connector to see if it is the "RPM lockout".

Is anyone here familar with problem and/or solution? Any suggestions?

[Norm4015]

I had the same problem on a Cummins ISC engine and I found a bad connection on the starter solenoid. After I cleaned and thightened it the engine always started. Mine only failed when the engine was hot and after letting it cool down it always started. I had gotten to be afraid to stop the engine not knowing if it would start. Once it started in the morning I let the engine run through filling the fuel tank, lunch and potty breaks. I sure felt good to get the problem fixed and I was the one who finally found aand fixed the problem. Good luck.

[Submustang]

Since the new starter did not solve your problem, I would look at the chassis ground connection.

I just had the same problem. Fortunately we were in our driveway. I removed the wires to the starter solenoid and chassis ground. After cleaning them up and retightening them, it started right up. It will take a few trips before I get my confidence back.

[geodays1]

I have a 2001 Dutch Star on Freightliner Cat engine, I had recurring similar problem, which I thought were loose or corroded wires on starter, replace starter same problem! Then found small round solenoid on right of rear frame where the signal from key swicht is received and then it send signal to starter solenoid. found loose and half ripped eyelet on wire from Key ! Hope this works for you I been trouble free over 12K miles and have anice 60K used starter.

[target]

Quote:

Originally Posted by geodays1 I have a 2001 Dutch Star on Freightliner Cat engine, I had recurring similar problem, which I thought were loose or corroded wires on starter, replace starter same problem! Then found small round solenoid on right of rear frame where the signal from key swicht is received and then it send signal to starter solenoid. found loose and half ripped eyelet on wire from Key ! Hope this works for you I been trouble free over 12K miles and have anice 60K used starter.

Where exactly was this small solenoid? I see a bracket with 3 ( looks like black connectors) post mounted on top of the frame above the starter with heavy wires attached to each?

[geodays1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by target Where exactly was this small solenoid? I see a bracket with 3 ( looks like black connectors) post mounted on top of the frame above the starter with heavy wires attached to each?

On my unit the small solenoid is on right side closest to rear tire, outside of frame! There are three wires , one at 10 oclock one at 12 and one at two oclock. the one at two is signal from key, the 12 is hot from starter and the 10 is signal to starter solenoid, Wire size is 10 or 12 gauge and smaller one from key. you can trace both wires from starter to this small solenoid one is hot other is signal to starter solenoid!. hope this helps

[94-Newmar]

Are there any safety interlocks from the slides to the ignition? If any of those are somewhat out of adjustment it could prevent the starter from engaging.

[target]

Quote:

Originally Posted by geodays1 On my unit the small solenoid is on right side closest to rear tire, outside of frame! There are three wires , one at 10 oclock one at 12 and one at two oclock. the one at two is signal from key, the 12 is hot from starter and the 10 is signal to starter solenoid, Wire size is 10 or 12 gauge and smaller one from key. you can trace both wires from starter to this small solenoid one is hot other is signal to starter solenoid!. hope this helps

Thanks, I will look for that this weekend

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94-Newmar Are there any safety interlocks from the slides to the ignition? If any of those are somewhat out of adjustment it could prevent the starter from engaging.

Probably not, it does not have any slides...lol