Cold Weather Starter Switch Problems?

[96r50]

Did not. I posted this on another forum (80sCool) and a guy replied with what looks like an excellent plan to install a relay and get direct hot power to the starter from the battery. It's his contention that the starter's power supply goes through the ignition switch first which reduces the power and makes that big starter plunger harder to move. I'm ordering a bunch of stuff from Cdan tomorrow and will be ordering a contact/plunger kit as well. Then I'll dig into it all and check things over and likely install a new plunger and contacts while I'm in there.

I believe I posted my issue a week or so ago here, but basically upon key turned to starter position I got no "clack" from the starter indicating the plunger had slammed against the contacts. Just a little relay click under the dash and normal dash lights. So, I must have the same issue as you guys though neither of you has indicated if you're hearing the starter itself clack (I'm using clack as its a big metallic sound vs a little relay click) when you get your nostarts. I've heard that sound before when my contacts were going bad - they'd hit but the starter wouldn't turn. This is different and indicates the plunger is either sticking or not getting enough power to move. What the wiring mod proposes to do is to give the plunger a direct shot of hot power by using the incoming power from the ignition switch to power a relay that feeds the plunger a big wire that'll throw it. So the incoming power that WAS engaging the plunger becomes a signal for the relay to close and gives it full battery voltage.

I'll let ya know.

DougM

Doug, what did you end up doing to fix this problem? I'm trying to track down a similar no-start. Thanks!

 

[scottryana]

Bump on this old thread as my truck did this, this morning at 14 degrees and I have never had a starting issue in the past. Went out to the truck this morning and turned the key, had power, but no response at all, no clicks, no attempts to start, just quiet. Thanks

 

[blkprj80]

Do you have an alarm system? They sometimes interrupt the start circuit with a relay.

 

[scottryana]

I just have the stock port installed keyless entry. Not sure if it has an interrupt?

 

[NLXTACY]

Measure the voltage going to the starter solenoid while turning the ignition key. I've seen voltage drops here which means switch or installing a relay to get full 12vto the solenoid.

 

[scottryana]

So odd got up to 30 degrees and started like a champ no problem at all. Guessing broken solder somewhere just shrinking up a little in the cold.