Starter problems

[Chadwick717]

I know this has probably been rehashed over and over again, and I read a few threads, so I have an idea, but when I bought the truck, the po had replaced the starter and it eventually stopped working, so I replaced it.  I also replaced the battery when I got the truck.  Now, this starter will crank the engine right up when it's cold, but when the truck has been running for a while, it has a hard time turning the engine over.  I will wait a little bit and eventually it will crank. 

I'm assuming that I got a bad starter and that the solenoid gets heat soaked? Is this correct?  My only concern is that this is the third or fourth re manufactured starter on the truck.  Could this be a symptom of something else? I've read a little bit about initial timing being a problem, but I don't really understand it.  The truck starts and runs fine when it starts.

Oh it's a 79 k10 with a 350. Thanks as always you guys are great.

[Chadwick717]

The first starter I had on it would start without dragging, but it would occasionally just click like when the battery was dead and not turn the engine over at all.  I would wait a bit and usually it would start right up.

[Chadwick717]

I guess I should clarify. I am going to check all the wiring connections when I get home this week.  The battery is new so it tests good. 

After that should my next step be to check the timing?  That's the only part that worries me because I haven't done that yet .  Still learning and trying to do everything myself.

[rich weyand]

Change the starter cables.

[Chadwick717]

Ok. That sounds like a good place to start.

[flips87c30]

Change the starter cables.

What rich said. also a starter heat shield doesn't hurt. I was having the same issues as you I took Richs advice and my third starter is doing great.

[roundhouse]

Some company sells a kit to relocate the solenoid up on the fender like in a older Ford

Away from the heat

And the reman starters are garbage.
They were ok a few years ago when they rebuilt them in the US   Now that all the reman stuff is done in Mexico and china its all garbage


 Get one from a local business that rebuilds them
That's the only way I've found to get a decent one

[Chadwick717]

One of my mechanic friends said there used to be a business around here that rebuilds them, I'll have to see if they are still around.  Hoping to have some time to replace the cables this weekend, if it would stop raining.

[roundhouse]

Call a shop that works on 18 wheelers
They usually know where the local rebuilder is

[Irish_Alley]

timing could also be a problem, but more than likely what rich said

[Dan75k20]

I use a starter from a 94 4.3 its smaller than the big clunky starters from the 70s and 80s bolts right up

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Chadwick717]

Ok quick update. Thanks for all the help. Went and got a new remanufactures starter and new cables, got to put them in today. Also wrapped the starter in a heat shield blanket. No problems so far, so we shall see.

[Chadwick717]

Ok. Another update.  Today is the first day after new starter and cable install that I drove around for a while and tried to start it. It started the first time, but then the second I just got the clicking noise until I let it cool down about 10 minutes, then it started right up. I guess I am in need of more suggestions.

[Chadwick717]

So for more info, I only replaced the wire going from the battery to the starter. I have just been bolting the wires on how they were on the first starter I had when I got it. Here is a picture of the wires attached to the solenoid. Maybe I've got them hooked up wrong?  I'm guessing the one is a ground, but it goes back into a wiring sheathe with a bunch of other wires, could I take that one off and replace it with a bigger one straight to the frame where the battery is grounded?

[Chadwick717]