Starter solenoid

[Tha_Rooster]

Any body know where the starter solenoid is on a C-9 everything comes on but starter does not turn over and batteries are good.

[Ljwt330]

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

Any body know where the starter solenoid is on a C-9 everything comes on but starter does not turn over and batteries are good.

Here is a picture of two C9 engines. Depending on which variation you have, the starter motor and solenoid could be on either side of the engine, but in all cases, it will be next to the bell housing for the transmission.

Note, there are some variations on the C9

[twinboat]

There will also be a starter relay, looks like a solenoid, back somewhere bolted to the chassis.

Is your transmission pad lighting up ? If not, it's your problem, check for battery power to it.

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by twinboat

There will also be a starter relay, looks like a solenoid, back somewhere bolted to the chassis.

Is your transmission pad lighting up ? If not, it's your problem, check for battery power to it.

Trans pad lighting up all gauges lighting up batteries good just want turn over.

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

Trans pad lighting up all gauges lighting up batteries good just want turn over.

I found 2 one small and it opens and closes with switch and bigger one with a 100 amp fuse which does nothing with switch?

[Ljwt330]

The rear of your starter motor should look something like this,





Look at the two large lugs on the solenoid. If you jump the top lug (connected directly to the battery + terminal) to the one under it (use a large gauge cable or insulated screw driver shaft,) the starter motor itself should run. It will not engage the flywheel, but it should run. That will show the motor itself is good. Caution, there will be a spark.


If you jump the top lug to the small terminal on the right (not shown in the photo, but it's behind the curved raised shield,) the solenoid should engage, the gear move into the flywheel, the starter motor run, and the engine turn over. Engine will not start as the ignition switch is not ON. This will show if the solenoid is good.


The lug on the rear of the starter motor is connected to the ground cable as well as the ground for the solenoid coil, as shown.


Running the above two checks can eliminate the starter/solenoid as your problem.

[OldWEB]

Originally Posted by Ljwt330

The rear of your starter motor should look something like this,
Look at the two large lugs on the solenoid. If you jump the top lug (connected directly to the battery + terminal) to the one under it (use a large gauge cable or insulated screw driver shaft,) the starter motor itself should run. It will not engage the flywheel, but it should run. That will show the motor itself is good. Caution, there will be a spark.
If you jump the top lug to the small terminal on the right (not shown in the photo, but it's behind the curved raised shield,) the solenoid should engage, the gear move into the flywheel, the starter motor run, and the engine turn over. Engine will not start as the ignition switch is not ON. This will show if the solenoid is good.
The lug on the rear of the starter motor is connected to the ground cable.
Running the above two checks can eliminate the starter/solenoid as your problem.

It does not sound like the OP even has a voltmeter to check (the easiest and simplest), now WHY would you be going and telling them to stick a screwdriver into the starter solenoid???

[Ljwt330]

Originally Posted by OldWEB

It does not sound like the OP even has a voltmeter to check (the easiest and simplest), now WHY would you be going and telling them to stick a screwdriver into the starter solenoid???

Let's just say we all make assumptions based limited information.


You assumed the OP has limited ability, knowledge, or self-awareness, based on no mention of having a voltmeter, not checking voltages, or not knowing the location of the starter.


I assumed he was not familiar with a DP, did not know the circuit connections or functions of the starter/solenoid, but had enough self-awareness to decide whether or not to carry out tests on his own.



If nothing else, he was given the knowledge of how the starter/solenoid work. I also assumed the "you" in the post was understood to be the "universal you," not specifically referenced to the OP.

[CountryB]

There may be another "start solenoid" located near the starter that sends power to the solenoid that is mounted on the starter.

Some of the larger coaches do this to combat voltage drop from the key switch to the starter.

My C13 has this, and it went bad. This is what it looks like.

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by OldWEB

It does not sound like the OP even has a voltmeter to check (the easiest and simplest), now WHY would you be going and telling them to stick a screwdriver into the starter solenoid???

I have a volt meter I was really trying to find out if there is a relay before starter to check since the starter is about impossible to get to. But that for your great help maybe I can return favor some time.

[tadams72]

Check you chassis ground. Follow the ground cable from the starter solenoid to the frame. That area is subject to the elements and on these old coaches that ground can become to resistive causing starting problems. It is really the first place I would look if your batteries are good.

Like others have said, there are other solenoids and relays in the starting circuit. You may have one somewhere near the rear bumper. You may also have one in your electric compartment and your front run bay.

Now all that said, grounds should be the first place you check. More often than not, they are your problem when you have good power.

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by tadams72

Check you chassis ground. Follow the ground cable from the starter solenoid to the frame. That area is subject to the elements and on these old coaches that ground can become to resistive causing starting problems. It is really the first place I would look if your batteries are good.

Like others have said, there are other solenoids and relays in the starting circuit. You may have one somewhere near the rear bumper. You may also have one in your electric compartment and your front run bay.

Now all that said, grounds should be the first place you check. More often than not, they are your problem when you have good power.

First I would like to thank you for your polite reply I had a friend come over who is a big truck repair guy. I showed him the solenoid /relay beside engine he put his remote start button on it and she fired right up.

[tadams72]

Glad you got it running.

[tropical36]

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

First I would like to thank you for your polite reply I had a friend come over who is a big truck repair guy. I showed him the solenoid /relay beside engine he put his remote start button on it and she fired right up.

The aux. solenoid is a common problems with these and even though cheap enough through Spartan.
I've wired in two buttons since. One supplies 12vdc to the aux. coil and the other jumps around the aux. contacts. If the former works, then there's a problem upstream somewhere in the ignition circuit. If it doesn't but works with the latter then the aux. solenoid itself needs replaced. If neither works then the main starter solenoid and/or the starter itself is bad.
These trouble shooting mods also save crawling down under, knowing full well that it's gonna happen in the rain and in a dangerous location.