New to the forum... need some help

[Rippin-J]

Just joined the forum. Couldn't be more excited about the wealth of knowledge and help that seems to be out there.

So, here is my challenge, sorry in advance for the lengthy post.

Drove my truck to work (about 10 miles), then again at lunch (about 2 miles).... when I got back in to head home (about 6 hours later), the battery was dead. very dead.

Got a jump from a tow truck (thanks to AAA, and no thanks to the Nissan parked next to me), and was able to drive home. Replaced the battery in the truck and the second I attached the negative cable to the battery, it tried to turn over.... funny thing, the key wasn't in it and the ignition switch was in the 'off' position.

Then, I replaced the solenoid, thinking maybe it had stuck, grounding the circuit without first going through the ignition. didn't help.

replaced the ignition switch, and actually tried to connect battery with the ignition switch completely unattached, and it still tried to turn over!

so it's not the batter, not the solenoid, and not the ignition switch (that I can tell). AND, I can't even connect the battery without the motor firing up.

I am at a complete loss at this point and need some direction before I just start pulling wires out.

THANKS!!

[72lb4x4]

Did you notice if the gear that engages with the flywheel in the starter nose was out as far as it would go when (if) you had it out? Maybe the bendix is stuck.

You can remove the small (purple #12) wire from the solenoid S terminal closest to the block without too much trouble. Then try connecting the battery. If it doesn't turn over, chances are that you're somehow getting power to the wire that runs the solenoid.

[Rippin-J]

Just went out to confirm, and yes, the gear is engaged on the flywheel.... however, when I replaced the solenoid (after the problem had already started), I know for a fact that it was NOT engaged. Also, right now the battery is completely disconnected, so if that gear should have retracted it has not.

Also, with the wiring on the solenoid, the motor did try to start even with BOTH not attached. Not to mention I think that the previous owner must have redone the wiring along the way (perhaps when replacing the distributor) because there is a black wire and a TEALE wire in place of where I would expect a purple wire.

???

I can't lie, my strength is not in the electrical, so please forgive me if anything sounds completely out of place.

[krue]

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! Wish I was better on the electrical stuff. Make sure there's not a connection from the pos. battery cable to the small contact on the solenoid, I've had that happen to be.

[Rippin-J]

South Miss? nice, will be in Starkville in Oct.

Which contact are you referring to on the solenoid?... as it sits, it's only connected and in 'contact' with the appropriate post on the solenoid.

[72lb4x4]

If the starter gear is engaged with the flywheel with the battery cable disconnected, the starter benix is somehow jammed, the big contacts in the solenoid have welded themselves closed, or there's something else screwy in the starter.

You might beat on the starter a little to see if the gear pops back. If it doesn't I'd drop the starter and figure out what's wrong with it.

Also, measure the voltage to ground from the (normally purple) wire that was connected to the S terminal on the solenoid with the battery connected, when the starter is out. Make sure the wires aren't touching anything--particularly the big one!

There shouldn't be any voltage there unless the key is in the start position, meaning when you're turning the key to start it.

[centsless]

I have had this happen. It is either the starter bendix stuck, or the starter needs to be shimmed. If the clearance is too tight between the bendix and flywheel, the spring cannot pull the bendix away from the flywheel. Try installing a starter shim and see if it corrects it. They are available at most auto parts stores ( check the red "help" packages ) and are fairly inexpensive. Hope that helps!

[Rippin-J]

Many thanks for the suggestion. I will give it a try today and let you know how it goes.

[Rippin-J]

okay, so tried the shims... nothing - but nothing as in no power to anything now. so the problem of trying to turn over when the battery is attached seems to have been solved.

BUT - had the starter tested and it showed a fault on the 'R' post. so I replaced it (along w/ new solenoid) and nothing. no juice, no lights, nothing. replaced the ignition swith, and still nothing.

Either I have overlooked something obviously or the problem is more complicated.

my test light does show power is getting to the solenoid.... from there it's all question marks.

any ideas?

[jhow66]

Fuse link is blown at the junction block that comes off postive cable.

[Rippin-J]

Holy S--t!! Fuse was fine, but connecting the fusable link cable to the (+) cable makes a big difference!

Attention to detail right?!?!

Neighbors are a little upset, cause it's almost midnight here and this ol' 396 makes a good bit of noise. But I couldn't be happier right now.

Many thanks for the many suggestions and for pointing out the obvious! Will post some pics ASAP.

Cheers!

[72lb4x4]

Glad its fixed and thanks for taking the time to post what fixed it. Closure and all that

[Rippin-J]

wouldn't leave y'all hanging!