New Starter Woes

[Mr Buckfast]

I was engaged in a couple of cooling fan threads - I solved this probelm, only to uncover another. Instead of pursuing this new query under the cooling fan thread, here's my newest:

I just got the cooing fan working today, but am now experiencing a new issue which I am unable to ascertain whether it is a random coincidence or related to the previous issue.

After changing the relay to the fan, I ran the rig for an hour, turned it off, and the fan came on. I waited 20 minutes to start it up, and then got NOTHING from the starter - something that happened twice on my initial journey from San Diego to Seattle after vehicle purchase. I

After over an hour of nothing, I went back out and the rig fired right up. Mind you, the problem I am now describing is different from my initial thread. With this intermittent problem, only a single slight click is heard (solenoid?) when turning the key, but nothing from the starter. Also, I've only experienced this when the vehicle is warm.
My hope is that I'll get results from the stab in the dark by replacing the ignition relay. It's not completely in the dark as I was messing with the relays in pursuit of the cooling fan issue - but, then again, I did experience this problem a couple of times before messing with the relays.

Tomorrow, I'll run the rig again to get the cooling fan going, and then see how well the warm start goes in terms of eliminating the vapor block I was told was caused by lack of an operational cooling fan. I am concerned about this second issue, though. Any thoughts? Keep this in mind - a rebuilt starter was professionally installed two days before I bought the rig and took off from San Diego.

THANK YOU, ALL!

 

[lovetoski]

I would check a couple of simple (and free) things first...check the battery/cable conections - make sure they are really clean. Use a battery terminal brush. A little bit of corrosion can reduce the electrical flow. Do this on both the pos and neg terminals. Also clean up the pos and neg terminals on the starter. If neither of these makes a difference, then get the battery checked. Most auto parts places will do this for free.

 

[brett76]

sounds like its just sticking. give it a tap when it does that, usually does the trick.

 

[89s rule]

If you check all the usual issues, (connections, battery, etc) And its none of those then it may be your starter contacts. Replace both of them and the plunger while you have it out of there.

Usually if it is the starter stuff I jut mentioned it will sparatically work. hope this helps.

 

[cruiser88]

nothing that a hammer will not cure

 

[Mr Buckfast]

I'm trying

I've been going through the "routine" starter checks - though what confounds me is that I only experience the problem when the rig has had a good chance to warm up - i.e. 1hr+ idling in the garage.

Other weird thing - is it weird that my ignition relay appears to be warming up as well. After a warm-up followed by a no start, I put my hand on the relay only to discover that it was quite warm. Tried swapping it out with the relay I purchased for my cooling fan (Toyota told me they are the same part#), but to no avail.

 

[lovetoski]

So it starts when cold, but not when warm? You've eliminated the easy stuff. That leaves two options - the starter, or the electrical components that come into play when you turn the key. I'm guessing it's the starter...but you can check the electrical pretty easily (hopefully to rule that out). Put the truck into the situation where it won't start. Then run a wire from the battery positive to the starter solenoid to "hot wire" it. If it starts this way, then the starters good and it's electrical.

I suspect that the relay getting warm is because there is current flowing through it.

 

[Mike S]

If the starter is hanging up, then there could be quite a bit of current flowing thru the relay. That would get it nice and toasty.

M