chevy starter solenoid gone bad??? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Serious One · 03-10-2003, 05:36 PM

Ok, newB question here, but what the hell.

Truck has a 283 in it with a factory GM starter. For the past year or so the starter solenoid has clicked several times before being able to connect and turn over the starter.

I'm wondering if it's worth the bother to replace the solenoid (can it be done???), or should I just get an el-cheapo NAPA starter and toss that in.

Sage words of advice are welcome.

Thanks!

Old Scout · 03-10-2003, 05:45 PM

Does it only happen when the engine is warmed up?

GM starters are well known for heat soak problems. Installing a Ford fender solenoid is the usual fix.

Serious One · 03-10-2003, 05:56 PM

Hey OS, you following me around?

No, it happens all the time, cold, hot, medium, whenever.

Today just so happened to be the day that it didn't click and start at all. I was parked in the front of the local hot-rod performance shop looking for fuel line and it died. I know that my battery has been a culprit for a while, I've killed it several times over and over from being stupid (long story...hard to believe isn't it???), so thought that maybe the solenoid wasn't closing due to low voltage.

Went back in the hot-rod shop and bought a Hawker Oddesey battery (on sale for $150) and hooked it up. Still no go. Tested it when I got home and it was reading 12.8 volts, so I know it was charged.

I had to roll backwards and pop the clutch to get it started. Had the battery already installed so I decided to keep it.

My battery that is dead now is a blue-top Optima. Probably about 2 years old, so maybe I'll try to claim 'warantee'.

So, back to the starter solenoid.

I think the Chevy starter has the solenoid built in??? It's been a while since I've crawled under there so I don't really know.

WILLIE · 03-11-2003, 10:48 AM

You can replace it just 2 screws. It sits right on top of the starter.

TaterCrawlin · 03-11-2003, 12:25 PM

trace the 3 wires from your starter, then check for loose connections,

75HerseyCruiser · 03-11-2003, 03:42 PM

With my Chevy's, almost always has been loose wires. Correction on the two screws - add to nuts to that.

Serious One · 03-11-2003, 10:09 PM

cool guys. good places to look.

now, I just gotta figger out how to replace that clutch slave cylinder.

Yep. More newbie questions on the way....

arndog · 03-12-2003, 06:17 AM

check your ground. Aks me how I know. Makes it seem like a dead battery or a bad solenoid

arndog

Oatmeal · 03-18-2003, 08:05 PM

If it's doing it when it's cold also, the contacts are probably just worn. You can replace the contacts (very easy) or if you're in a pinch you can flip em over so they make contact where they're not worn (temporary fix) hope that's helpful.

Warlock · 03-18-2003, 08:12 PM

And I have a Chevy with a 2.8 that just started the same damn thing!! Relay chatter is soooo lovely to hear just when you are about to get rid of the truck.

Can I hear it run?

Sure, no problem!!!

ratitatatat

Uh maybe not.............

03-10-2003, 05:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Serious One Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8768 Location: Utahr Posts: 4,054	chevy starter solenoid gone bad??? Ok, newB question here, but what the hell. Truck has a 283 in it with a factory GM starter. For the past year or so the starter solenoid has clicked several times before being able to connect and turn over the starter. I'm wondering if it's worth the bother to replace the solenoid (can it be done???), or should I just get an el-cheapo NAPA starter and toss that in. Sage words of advice are welcome. Thanks! __________________ Michael

03-10-2003, 05:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Old Scout IH/Rover Moderator Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 17 Location: Aptos,Ca Posts: 13,401	Does it only happen when the engine is warmed up? GM starters are well known for heat soak problems. Installing a Ford fender solenoid is the usual fix. __________________ I like beer. On occasion, I will even drink beer to celebrate a major event such as the fall of communism or the fact that the refrigerator is still working." BUY MY BOAT http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/misc-...e-history.html

03-10-2003, 05:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
Serious One Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8768 Location: Utahr Posts: 4,054	Hey OS, you following me around? No, it happens all the time, cold, hot, medium, whenever. Today just so happened to be the day that it didn't click and start at all. I was parked in the front of the local hot-rod performance shop looking for fuel line and it died. I know that my battery has been a culprit for a while, I've killed it several times over and over from being stupid (long story...hard to believe isn't it???), so thought that maybe the solenoid wasn't closing due to low voltage. Went back in the hot-rod shop and bought a Hawker Oddesey battery (on sale for $150) and hooked it up. Still no go. Tested it when I got home and it was reading 12.8 volts, so I know it was charged. I had to roll backwards and pop the clutch to get it started. Had the battery already installed so I decided to keep it. My battery that is dead now is a blue-top Optima. Probably about 2 years old, so maybe I'll try to claim 'warantee'. So, back to the starter solenoid. I think the Chevy starter has the solenoid built in??? It's been a while since I've crawled under there so I don't really know. __________________ Michael

03-11-2003, 03:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
75HerseyCruiser Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 13660 Posts: 104	dead With my Chevy's, almost always has been loose wires. Correction on the two screws - add to nuts to that. __________________ Don't worry...I'll get it?

03-11-2003, 10:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Serious One Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8768 Location: Utahr Posts: 4,054	cool guys. good places to look. now, I just gotta figger out how to replace that clutch slave cylinder. Yep. More newbie questions on the way.... __________________ Michael

03-11-2003, 10:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
WILLIE Wheeler Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13234 Location: iowa Posts: 164	You can replace it just 2 screws. It sits right on top of the starter.

03-11-2003, 12:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
TaterCrawlin Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Member # 16033 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 183	trace the 3 wires from your starter, then check for loose connections,

03-12-2003, 06:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
arndog Rock God Join Date: May 2000 Member # 764 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,213	check your ground. Aks me how I know. Makes it seem like a dead battery or a bad solenoid arndog __________________ 1966 FJ40 cruiser page

03-18-2003, 08:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
Oatmeal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14600 Location: Covina,Ca. Posts: 1,010	If it's doing it when it's cold also, the contacts are probably just worn. You can replace the contacts (very easy) or if you're in a pinch you can flip em over so they make contact where they're not worn (temporary fix) hope that's helpful.

03-18-2003, 08:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Warlock Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Member # 2331 Location: Paranoia Posts: 527	And I have a Chevy with a 2.8 that just started the same damn thing!! Relay chatter is soooo lovely to hear just when you are about to get rid of the truck. Can I hear it run? Sure, no problem!!! ratitatatat Uh maybe not.............

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode