Hello all, Started slow at last gas stop. Few hours later stopped at rest area and since won't start. No click, no wirrs, nothing. Figured might be starter, so replaced. No change. I've checked all fuses and nothing. Switch has no signs of burning or other damage. I had a "mechanic" look everything over as well and he removed starter and re-installed and then jumped starter terninals to start. Got me going for few miles until sparks started flying. He placed hot canle too closr to engine manifold, destroying cable and I believe new starter. Now stranded 500 miles from home. Any ideas anybody? Is there a starter relay somewhere? Thanks everybody! Greg

Unless there was a fire the starter should be fine. Not sure the "mechanic" was qualified. Starters are very simple devices. The heavy wire from the battery is connected to the starter "solenoid" which is attached to the starter. The solenoid is nothing more than an on off switch controlled by a small voltage from your ignition switch. It may pass through more relays on the way but in a simple system it controls the starter solenoid directly which makes "hot wiring" easy.Replace the burned cable. Look at the small wire or wires on the solenoid. One should go to ground. If only one small terminal the solenoid is internally grounded.Use a jumper to apply 12 volts to the little terminal while the ignition key is in the run position. It will startle you the first time but should turn the engine over easily if the batteries are still ok and charged. If this gets it running you can either find which fuse is blown or connect a temporary wire from the little terminal to a convenient place where you can connect 12 volts.

I think before I changed starter I would have measured voltage on relay. At this point I wouldn't conclude that new starter is bad. The problem could be several things. Many vehicles have to be in PARK before key can energize relay. All of those items have to be checked.

Stabbing in the dark here. IF the mechanic jumped the starter by applying 12V directly to the starter and it worked, then there are 2 things possible.1. You might have a bad starter relay, not to be confused with the starter solenoid. Trace the heavy 12V cable from the starter back through the chassis. At some point you will come upon the relay. It has a heavy cable going into both sides, with generally 2 smaller wires going to your ignition switch. These go bad very frequently and are cheap to replace, but somewhat hard to find. 2. Check for a possible blown fuse (unlikely) somewhere upstream of your starter. Again follow the heavy 12V cable from your starter back to your chassis and try and find where it terminates (probably a fuse block somewhere around your firewall or under the dash. If I read your post correctly, if the mechanic "jumped" your starter by applying 12V directly to the starter motor and it started, the your solenoid is fine.

Also, what manufacturer is it. You might have a main starter fuse blown.

Thanks guys! I replaced large starter wire as burned through. Then tried to "jump terninals to start but does not engage, only spins so think starter might have been fried. Will take it back to have checked. When removing cable I felt it kinda odd that the battery cable and cable down to starter were both on same side of what appears ti be relay. I'd think power would have to go thru? Thanks for all your help! Greg

Coach Won't Start | Good Sam Community

down_home
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2013
The way it sounded the battery was not getting or holding a charge.
Starters don't go down like the description.
2ndhom
Explorer
Sep 22, 2013
2bzy2c wrote:
Soooooo????? Its been two weeks. What was the outcome?

Yep, the OP's don't realize that answers to original problems help everyone in one way or another.
:S
MotorPro
Explorer
Sep 22, 2013
the most commen cause is the nuetral safty switch
ROYBUCK
Explorer
Sep 20, 2013
I had the same problem with a 1994 MH changed starter no change, lasted until I got home took to a shop found a bad ground, cleaned up the ground, know problem there after. Roy
Mike_M2
Explorer
Sep 20, 2013
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2bzy2c
Explorer II
Sep 20, 2013
Gawd!!! I hate being left hanging!!!
2bzy2c
Explorer II
Aug 03, 2013
Soooooo????? Its been two weeks. What was the outcome?
hram
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
Thanks so much everybody! Returned new starter and received new one. Installed, same problem. But, ran a 2nd wire to battery compartment and "hot wired" it. I too thought of the park/nuetral and fooled around putting it in both a few times to no avail. So, certainly could be that switch cause it sorta acts like it's not in park/nuetral. Hot wire got me back on the road and home, so I'm good for now. Will mess with after I get caught up on z's. Thanks again, I really appreciate everyone's help!
2Bargos
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
Which solenoid post did you cross,,if it was the two large ones then the starter will only motor (run but not engage flywheel) as you were bypassing the solenoid.you must cross the top large stud and the small one next to engine block (assuming this is a chevrolet engine).

As for the extra post you mentioned on solenoid,,it is not used, it is a points bypass from a bygone era.I dont know why there still on replacement solenoids but they are

From reading your post I feel like you are not getting any key switch voltage to the solenoid.someone mentioned to check starter relay and fuses,this is very sound advice.also try moving gear shift from park to neutral you may have a neutral start switch on trans that has gone south.

Also while crossing starter over I would highly recommend having someone in drivers seat holding brake ,because coach will start and if it inadvertanly left in gear it will run over you
Son_of_Norway
Explorer
Jul 14, 2013
Use a multimeter to check for voltage at the starter solenoid and the starter relay while you have a helper turn the ignition to start. Do the rest of the ignition functions work correctly when you turn the key? Another possibility is the neutral safety switch. I hope you're back on the road soon.

Miles