Blowing starter solenoids???please help

Dedicated to the memory and knowledge shared by Jim Mettler - All things relating to the flow of electrons in a Pinz.
Post Reply
Wyothing
United States of America
Posts: 26
Joined: Thu Feb 04, 2016 10:45 pm
Location: Northern Wyoming

Blowing starter solenoids???please help

Post by Wyothing »

I am having trouble with blowing starter solenoids, please help.
My problem started when I put a battery charger on one battery. I charged it up no problem. I did the same for the second battery and forgot it overnight. But the real issue, I hate to admit, is that I forgot to turn the main shut off behind the seat. Thus I exposed the entire electrical system to my battery charging.

When I tried to start the truck after charging. It turned over for a split second and stopped. Then it just clicked at the starter. I pulled the starter and checked it on the bench with the solenoid removed. It spun up. So I replaced the solenoid and put it back in the truck. It started up just fine. I put everything back and it started a second time just fine. I left and a couple hours later went to start it and it just started clicking at the starter again. I am sure I fried my solenoid. I had one spare so now I will order another.

I checked all the breakers and nothing seems out of the ordinary. SO I don't want to order another solenoid and burn it up without figuring out the problem.

Could this be a problem with the voltage regulator? Did I fry it too? And if so it is under the dog house on the passenger side behind the axe so to speak? If not then I have fried something else.

Also, I run a pinzi SSI.
User avatar
David Dunn
United States of America
Posts: 2274
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 7:08 pm
Location: Arcadia, CA

Re: Blowing starter solenoids???please help

Post by David Dunn »

Before doing anything else, check voltage on both batteries. Your charging might have finished off a questionable battery. A 'clicking' solenoid is a quick indicator of low battery voltage. Check before attempting to start it and again after trying to cranking it.
.
The Trojan Horse... the 1st Pinz used to covertly carry troops into battle .




ATL Pinzgauer XM 718K TUM(HD) 6x6 FFR (aka The Green Grail)
User avatar
mm58
United States of America
Posts: 231
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2012 10:49 pm
Location: Tucson, AZ

Re: Blowing starter solenoids???please help

Post by mm58 »

I will second what David suggests.
I was having starter/solenoid issues, and it turned out to be one of the batteries was just too low voltage.
Mike

'76 710K
Wyothing
United States of America
Posts: 26
Joined: Thu Feb 04, 2016 10:45 pm
Location: Northern Wyoming

Re: Blowing starter solenoids???please help

Post by Wyothing »

I checked the batteries and both were good.
Wyothing
United States of America
Posts: 26
Joined: Thu Feb 04, 2016 10:45 pm
Location: Northern Wyoming

Re: Blowing starter solenoids???please help

Post by Wyothing »

Mr Dunn I believe you were right. I checked both batteries and both were over 12 volts. So then I tried to start truck and nothing. Checked again and the front battery was 11 volts. I didn't think that was too low but apparently it is. I put jumper cables on the front battery and the truck turned over but slowly. So bingo. I think the battery is just on the edge.

Thanks so much for the help. I was jumping over the simple things getting carried away with bigger issues.
User avatar
David Dunn
United States of America
Posts: 2274
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 7:08 pm
Location: Arcadia, CA

Re: Blowing starter solenoids???please help

Post by David Dunn »

A volt meter will give you a voltage, but once a load is added, any shorts within the batteries or a loose connection will raise their ugly faces, :( .

Unfortunately, my TDI 718K has dual voltages and has entirely different characteristics with low battery voltage (which I thought I knew :roll: ) Its still teaching me. :lol:
.
The Trojan Horse... the 1st Pinz used to covertly carry troops into battle .




ATL Pinzgauer XM 718K TUM(HD) 6x6 FFR (aka The Green Grail)
Post Reply