HJ61 starting issues

[Jammer]

I have a 1989 HJ61 with the 12ht in it. normally it starts with no problems but today it was acting up. I started it in the morning, no problems, then while out running errands with the family we stoppped at a couple of stores and while stopped I kept the radio on. after a couple of stops like this, it would chug a bit and then turn over. not start right away. then, later in the day, i had to go out again and it did the same thing. it would try to turn over and not, then it would turn over. i should mention, after it started, the battery indicator was in the normal range. any ideas what it could be?

thanks in advance.

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by Jammer

I have a 1989 HJ61 with the 12ht in it. normally it starts with no problems but today it was acting up. I started it in the morning, no problems, then while out running errands with the family we stoppped at a couple of stores and while stopped I kept the radio on. after a couple of stops like this, it would chug a bit and then turn over. not start right away. then, later in the day, i had to go out again and it did the same thing. it would try to turn over and not, then it would turn over. i should mention, after it started, the battery indicator was in the normal range. any ideas what it could be?

thanks in advance.

Do you mean the starter motor was cranking the engine too slow?
If so, it sounds like low voltage from bad terminals/connections or your starter is dying or needs new contacts.
The battery meter would be in the normal range once it started provided the alternator was charging properly.

[rchalmers3]

Mate,

Have you performed any maintenance on the battery post connections? If you are running dual batteries I'd put a volt meter on them individually (isolated from each other) to verify their condition, then meter the charge rate independent of the gauge.

Hope this keeps you going,

Rick

[Eric Ramond]

Hey Jammer

I'm running a hj61 TD, It might be a charging probleme so you must 2 batteries the thing is one is more charging the other one the best is to split them every month and to run any electric aparels you have to put a 24/12v converteur otherwise you'll always have a probleme of using the same battery for your radio or other I've got this trouble for a long time until someone explain me! The other solution is putting an equaliseur on the driver side battery .I hope you understand me ...

Good luck
eric

[crushers]

did you run the radio direct to the 12V battery or through the factory 24V-12V converter?
if direct then you are killing the one battery.

the charge does not know one battery is down so a slow steady drain on one battery can be your problem

[Jammer]

I have a 24/12 volt converter to run my radio. I did have my trailer brakes hooked up directly to my passenger side battery but disconnected it when i got my new batteries. I suspect it is the starter because this mornig when i went to get my morning coffee, it wouldn't start, leaving me stranded in the parking lot. I had to call my poor wife (and wake her up, and the kids) to come get me. I tried to boost it and that didn't work, therefore i am thinking it is the starter. I had it towed to my mechanics right now, where he is working on it as we speak. (and probably looking at brochures for his new boat that i will be allowing him to buy!)

Thanks for the advice I did pass it along to him as well. I will post what it was when it is finally fixed.

Jammer

[Jammer]

it is the starter. my mechanic found a new one in winnipeg (i live in edmonton) amd it will be here on thursday. on a side note, the local cruiser specialist shop wanted to rebuild my old starter for the same price and three times the wait as my new one.

[The Dude]

Next time look up a heavy duty alternator/starter shop and rebuild it yourself for $65. It's easy and with the help on here if you did get into trouble we could walk you through it on the phone or over the net.

Chances are all it needed was a new plunger and new contacts. Make sure you get your old one back if you can.

Glad you got it fixed.

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by Jammer

it is the starter. my mechanic found a new one in winnipeg (i live in edmonton) amd it will be here on thursday. on a side note, the local cruiser specialist shop wanted to rebuild my old starter for the same price and three times the wait as my new one.

My electrician did mine in an hour or so using some new and used parts for a $130
It had been sitting in extremely saline mine water for some months and was full of salt mud

[crushers]

autoworld in Calgary, excellent service and excellent prices...