M931A2 starting problem

[lumberjack13]

hey guys, I am stumped on this one. I have a m931A2 and love the thing! but for some reason all of the sudden it wont start. i dressed everything in the started solenoid, checked batter voltage, grounds, etc with no luck. today i borrowed a voltmeter to test the current to the solenoid and it is perfect coming from the batter, but there is none at all going to the starter when the switch is turned to start. when you turn the switch you can hear the solenoid kick but that's it.

 

[helomech]

Never mind, sorry. Wrong solenoid.

 

[R Racing]

So are you saying it's not turning over ?? Or is it turning over but not starting? ?

 

[porkysplace]

Might find some information in one of these.
[h=1]Problems with PCB box on m939[/h]
[h=1]Trouble-shooting the Protective Control Box in a 5-ton[/h]
[h=1]5 ton just clicks??[/h]

 

[lumberjack13]

So are you saying it's not turning over ?? Or is it turning over but not starting? ?

it isn't turning over. I can run power to the starter itself and it will free spin. when I turn the switch to start, the solenoid will kick in. but it wont give power to the starter. I checked all conections on solenoid and opened it and cleaned everything to like new. I have even tried having someone turn the switch so that the solenoid would kick and then I ran power to the starter and still nothing

 

[R Racing]

Sounds like the black box or neutral safety switch . 1 of the guys had luck hitting the box with a hammer a few times to get it started. But it's not a permanent fix by any means

 

[lumberjack13]

if it isn't in neutral it wont do anything, but as soon as its in neutral and try to start it just has that one click. I was reading about people hitting it with a hammer and im actually about to go try it. worse case scenario I get to take a little frustration out maybe haha

 

[lumberjack13]

no luck. beat the H#$% out of it and nothing

 

[Suprman]

If you try to start the truck, and the starter solenoid engages but the starter does not spin, then your starter is bad. There are contacts inside the solenoid that close when the solenoid engages and "throws" the starter gear forward. The contacts go bad inside if you open it they will probably be all pitted and burnt.

 

[R Racing]

If you try to start the truck, and the starter solenoid engages but the starter does not spin, then your starter is bad. There are contacts inside the solenoid that close when the solenoid engages and "throws" the starter gear forward. The contacts go bad inside if you open it they will probably be all pitted and burnt.

Just had this happen on my f350. It drove me crazy till I replaced the starter

 

[lumberjack13]

it seems like there is no power going to the starter though. its as if the terminals in the solenoid wasn't getting a connection even after I cleaned and even sanded with 2000 grit sandpaper

 

[lumberjack13]

If you try to start the truck, and the starter solenoid engages but the starter does not spin, then your starter is bad. There are contacts inside the solenoid that close when the solenoid engages and "throws" the starter gear forward. The contacts go bad inside if you open it they will probably be all pitted and burnt.

so even if it free spins when you put power to the starter it could still be bad?

 

[Suprman]

The main battery positive cable comes off the batteries and goes right to the starter solenoid. Power for most everything else branches off from there. There is no "protection" of any kind like a fuse or breaker. When you swap the starter you will want to disconnect the positive from the battery.

 

[lumberjack13]

**UPDATE**

I think I might have figure out the problem but since its raining so hard I cant really work on it. since the solenoid tested good and the starter spins good when I run power directly to it but yet when the solenoid is on the starter it doesn't have any power going to the starter, I think the lever that the solenoid pushes/pulls isn't allowing the solenoid to go in far enough to make a connection to the terminals. it could be bent, broke, jammed, or even just out of place maybe. as soon as the rain lets up I will take the starter off and try to get to the lever so I can find out for sure

 

[Suprman]

I have never had any luck fixing starters. The smart man would replace it with a new one and be done with it. They are available.
Will

 

[lumberjack13]

I actually thought about it. after I even called diesel mechanics and a starter specialist and they were stumped I was about to just order a new starter and solenoid because I was just getting aggravated with it. but once I cleared my mind and then looked at it again and thought about that lever I am going to give it one more shot

 

[lumberjack13]

***UPDATE***

well, I solved the problem! it was the starter but not what I was thinking was wrong with it. turns out, the starter was just kinda seized from lack of grease. simple fix, just unsimple to figure out! freed it and lubed it, and now she starts like a champ! if it wasn't for theses threads on here I would have never knew to dress the soilenoid to see if that was it plus multiple other things. past threads may not seem important to some, but they really do come in handy!