a tap on the starter

[Lt.Del]

today I went to my sub to go get my son from daycare.  I turned the key and nothing.  I turned it half way on and the radio plays and no problem there. But, I turn it all the way on and absolutely nothing..no clicking either.

I put a battery charger on it and jumped in my 79 pickup to go get my boy. I love having two trucks.

Came home and tried to start the burb again, same result.

So, I am thinking, melted hot wire? broken fusible link?  bad connection on solenoid?

Then, I tried something.  I remember way back, deep in my memory  of years ago, sometimes if you tap the starter, it'll juggle the solenoid or something along those lines.

So, I took my hammer and tapped the starter a few times.  I turned the key, an VIOLA! it started right up.

Does this mean my starter or the solenoid is getting ready to go?  What exactly does tapping on the starter do?

[Captkaos]

It unsticks the solenoid.  Is it new?  Are you getting enough power to the solenoid?

[Lt.Del]

It is not new...i've had the truck a few years and have never replaced the starter/solenoid. I assume it has been getting enough juice to the solenoid.  It hasn't been slow starting or anything.  The voltage guage i have notice has been a little weird, sometimes only showing about 12 volts charging, sometimes jumps up to about 14 volts.  However, I have never had any problems starting it until today.

[gezn2]

It is not new...i've had the truck a few years and have never replaced the starter/solenoid. I assume it has been getting enough juice to the solenoid.  It hasn't been slow starting or anything.  The voltage guage i have notice has been a little weird, sometimes only showing about 12 volts charging, sometimes jumps up to about 14 volts.  However, I have never had any problems starting it until today.

Those solenoids *do* give up the ghost sometimes, a new one is cheap insurance
I suppose a battery that was slightly 'down' on charge *might* bring out 'issues' with a solenoid that was reaching the end anyway
It *does* sound like you've got a pending problem in the charging system, I'd make sure all the alt. wiring is okay and the belt is tight.
If all the external stuff is good you're probably dealing with an alt. approaching rebuild time.....

[Lt.Del]

The alternator is about a year old, or, about 6k miles.

I went ahead and tightened the poles of the battery, putting about a quarter turn in each, when I thought that was the problem of it not starting.  I was surprised I could put a quarter turn in each pole to tighten...perhaps that was my charging fluctuation problem.  She didn't turn on when I did that, only after tapping the starter.

I dunno.  I'll just drive her close to home for a while until I can take a half hour and switch starters on it.  It may take a little longer than switching on my 2 wheel drive.  This dang sub has a rubber insulator and bracket (in case the chasis bottoms out or something) right there where one should be able to use a wrench and take the cables/wires off the starter.  I have a few starters in the garage---i got from a salvage yard for my 79.  Since they are both the staggered bolt pattern, I assume they are the same starters for a 79 and 91 both 350's.

 

[VileZambonie]

Usually when a starter stops cranking and works when you tap on it is a good indication that it's the commutator or a dead spot in the armature. Just replace the starter.

[gezn2]

I'm using one from a '78 on an '86 engine, I didn't even need shims
AFAIK if the tooth counts are the same you're golden......

[Lt.Del]

I went on the autozone website and plugged in my 91 sub v2500 4x4 auto.  It has a different price and model # than when i plugged in my 79 1/2 ton pickup.  Must B diff.