Starter Problems

[unmuneco]

Need help with starting my 63 c-10.. The prior starter was working properly prior to the housing cracking. I purchased a similar starter(duralast) and wired it up the same as it was and now i cant get it to crank.. any suggestions?

[jchav62]

Do you hook up the wires correctly? There may be a short in the 'purple' wire that comes from the switch to the starter, or it could be the switch itself. A quick test...use a screwdriver and jump the starter at the soleniod. If it turns over, you know the problem isn't at the starter.

[unmuneco]

thanks for the reply.

Yes, the wiring is exactly how it was. the truck has a push button switch direct bypassing the ignition switch. i did test the starter prior to installing it and it work fine, but now installed i cant get it to crank.

[unmuneco]

Thanks.. I am going to use the screw driver direct to see if it cranks over.

[Eagar1]

Check your fuse box, and make sure there is no inline fuses. If you didnt disco ther battery, you may have popped a fuse.

[ChiefRocka]

Another 63 owner ?!?!?

[unmuneco]

Yes, Chiefrocka, just signed up.. wiil post pics soon.

Edgar1, thanks for the info.. i will check the fuses once again tomorrow, thank u all for ur help.

[Martin64]

Does it try to engage but won't turn or there's no power to the starter?

[unmuneco]

there is power to the starter. The truck has a push button switch direct to the solenoid. 1 wire to the main screw and the 2nd wire to the "s" screw nearest to the engine. there is a "R" screw and was not bieng utilized.

[MacAttack]

Welcome to the Forum, Local!

See if you can borrow a remote starter switch - hook the large clamp to the main (big) battery post on the starter and then the small clamp to the little signal wire. Bump the switch and see what happens.

Mac.

[unmuneco]

Yes, i try that already.. im going t work on it today, keep u posted....

[Martin64]

Just me, but I think at this point I would take it out and take it back where I bought it and have it tested on a known good power source. Not that your power source is bad because you know you have power going to it. But you don't know that you have power going through it. If they test it and it tests bad then you're there and can exchange it for a new one. If it tests good then you know you missed something.

[Bears63]

Why does it have a push button to bypass the ignition switch? In my experience I have to say this.... Get rid of the push button and replace the ignition switch. My '71 was set up similar (a toggle switch was used) to offset a shot ignition switch and when I replaced the starter I had the exact same issue. It wouldn't do anything. Had power to it, but it would not turn the motor. Took the starter back and it tested fine. Replaced the ignition switch and put the wiring under the dash back the way it was supposed to be and everything has worked fine as far as starting ever since. Take that starter and have it tested at the parts house, if it's fine then look at replacing the ignition switch and getting that wiring fixed up.

[unmuneco]

yes, i took off the one i had purchased a few months back a returned it and it was tested and it was good.. the sales person did an exchange anyways and also tested the one she gave me and it was good.

I tested it when i got home and before i installed it and it worked.

so it has to be trouble shooting the wiring.

[fixit-p]

Did you check your ground wire, make sure its intact and connected to the engine block and not the frame.

[unmuneco]

Thanks Bear63,

i might have to just buy the ignition swith, thats the reason why i think the push button switch was installed...

[unmuneco]

Yes, the ground wire is direct from the battery to the engine block, tought of adding a second ground to the frame.

[jchav62]

A test light is your friend. Use a test light to see if you have power coming in and out of the starter button.

[fixit-p]

Ok, had to ask...

if you have power to the bat terminal on the starter, good ground, fully charged battery and and we assume the starter/ solenoid is good, that leaves the "S" circuit. IIRC it takes close to 40 amps on that circuit to engage the starter and the main cause of hot start issues is that heat raises the resitance on the "S" circuit wire preventing enough current to get to the solenoid. I know yours isn't a hot start issue but it could be resitance in that circuit which could come from the push button sw, wiring or even terminals. You need to eliminate one or the other by jumping the hot post on the starter to the "S" terminal as already mentioned.

[joe231]

you are getting a click from the starter when you try to start it?

If so it sounds like your start circuit is working

have you checked the battery and the cable connections?
have you tried boosting it with another vehicle?

there is a very easy way to check for voltage drop, but you need a Multi-Meter and a friend

put the meter on DC voltage (solid line with a dotted line under it)
place one lead on the positive terminal, and the other lead on the starter where the battery cable connects, have a friend try the starter, the meter should read one volt or less. (it will only register under load)
the reading is telling you how much voltage you are loosing between the battery and the starter
if the reading is excessive you either have a bad cable or a bad connection somewhere along the way

and I believe the "S" circuit only draws about 10 amps, it is an electromagnet that closes the contacts inside the solenoid that allow high current to flow through the battery cables, and also engages the bendix
if it were a 40 amp circuit the wire would need to be at least 8 gauge and the ignition switch would have to be much larger

[unmuneco]

The starter does nothing.. i just checked the power to the starter and there is power at the main screw, i also check the power to the push button switch and there is also power there due to being hooked up to the main power at the started screw.

Now the 2nd wire that is going to the switch from the solenoid "S" screw does not have power and if im not mistaken it shouldnt unless i push the button. (please correct me if im wrong).

[unmuneco]

The starter does nothing.. i just checked the power to the starter and there is power at the main screw, i also check the power to the push button switch and there is also power there due to being hooked up to the main power at the started screw.

Now the 2nd wire that is going to the switch from the solenoid "S" screw does not have power and if im not mistaken it shouldnt unless i push the button. (please correct me if im wrong).

[fixit-p]

Yes the "S" terminal should have no power until you apply power to it to engage the starter.

To clerify my previous post I was reffering to peak surge amps once it's engaged the amp draw drops.

[joe231]

ok unmuneco, have you jumped the starter with a screw-driver?

and check voltage to the "S" terminal with your starter button pressed

[chris91]

Even thought the truck running at first. what caused the case to crack? Pull all the spark plugs out and try again. Compression too high? Cylinder full of water. If jumping the "s" terminal to battery did not work something is wrong. IS the push button start tied to ignition or battery.