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Topic: Starter hung today after sitting for five weeks (Read 917 times) previous topic - next topic

Starter hung today after sitting for five weeks

I have had my 20-year 270 sitting outside as I plastered and painted the interior of my "Barn."  Started the Cummings mechanical 8.3 to move the MH this afternoon.  Luckily the engine fuel stopped (It does this when sitting for more than two weeks.) and the engine stopped but the starter did not.  Made a racket that even I could hear.  Cycled all switches I could think of ... no change.  Jogged to the Barn (I don't sprint any more.) to get a carpenter's hammer, slide under the rear end.  The second tap on the solenoid quieted the noise.  My questions:
  1.  Should I never again let the MH sit for 5 weeks?
  2.  Should I carry a spare hammer and keep it handy?
  3.  Does this "sticky" solenoid indicate that I need a new one?
A search of "Starter hung" did not help much....
Carolyn and Lewis (Andy1) Anderson
1996 U270 36'

Re: Starter hung today after sitting for five weeks

Reply #1 –
Couple things could have caused this. After sitting awhile the batteries may not be at full charge and putting less than full charge to the starter can cause the solonoid contacts to weld closed.
A faulty key switch can also cause the starter to remain on, but if you managed to free it with a hammer to the solenoid, its probably not that.
Yes, a new starter is in order. once the solenoid contacts are scored, they will not make good contact and will likely hang again.
Rick and Wendy Green
1998 U270 3600 The Coach Formerly known as Princess
Build# 5336
2007 Ford Explorer

Re: Starter hung today after sitting for five weeks

Reply #2 –
Wrong area for this post, but if the engine had run it probably would have spit the bendix out. Also depending on your mechanical skill fixing the solenoid is not hard. The studs have 2 sides that can be switched and you get a new surface. I am in Los Angeles, so pacific standard time. From 7:00 to 9:00 tomorrow if you want, call me at 818-885-8033 and I will walk you through it. There are probably U-tube videos showing it also.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Starter hung today after sitting for five weeks

Reply #3 –
A good automotive electrical shop can change just the solenoid. While it is a part new brushes are cheap.
1998 36' U295 Mechanical 8.3

Re: Starter hung today after sitting for five weeks

Reply #4 –
I've had good results of just cleaning the solenoid of road crud, burnishing the contacts and reinstalling.  If, you're not in the mood for spending extra money.  Although I would rebuild.
'87 40' Grand Villa 4000 SBID ORED
CAT 3208TA 300Hp driving MT647, PacBrake
Unkown watts Solar
'17 Conti's HSR2 10-22.5
Cove, Texas
Previous: '76 to '16,  5' 10", 0.1Hp, hauling 85lb BackPack shod on Keen Boots

Re: Starter hung today after sitting for five weeks

Reply #5 –
As I first posted the solenoid is a very simple device and easy to DIY the contacts. There are 2 studs and a ring that make the contact. I have been rebuilding my own solenoids on cars and trucks since I was a kid. I buy new studs if the old ones can't be cleaned up. Most of the rings have a snap ring and can be reversed to a new surface. The picture is what the parts look like.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Starter hung today after sitting for five weeks

Reply #6 –
Spoke with local diesel shop this afternoon about the solenoid.  (This is a small rural town I live near.  There was a firetruck from one of the local volunteer departments, two yellow digging and dirt-moving machines, many pickups, and a few cars parked in front of his two buildings. He has a good reputation.)  He thinks I need a new starter.  He says that tapping with the hammer "freed up" the worn bearings/bushings of the starter and let the mechanical spring return the starter and solenoid to Off.

I like the idea of cleaning and replacing a few parts.  I learn a thing or two sometimes doing projects like this.  I see that I will need some new sockets to get the starter off the engine.  Availability of parts may be a problem; but maybe not.  August is filled with finishing the Barn before I leave for our annual family reunion.  It is my brother's turn to host.  So I will study.  And keep a hammer handy for the trip.  October (about the time of the first snow here at 8,000 ft) should see me using the Barn workbench and new propane heater....

Thanks to all for the info.  Y'all take great photos.  Andy1
Carolyn and Lewis (Andy1) Anderson
1996 U270 36'

Re: Starter hung today after sitting for five weeks

Reply #7 –
Starter is very heavy and there is not a lot of room to work and all work is from underneath.  We found great help with a long strap around starter that was fed up around exhaust manifold and another who was standing outside motorhome would pull out to lift starter and take weight off my arms.  I could then maneuver the starter into place and start bolts, one of which could only be reached with long socket extension between starter and engine block.

Re: Starter hung today after sitting for five weeks

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Starter is very heavy and there is not a lot of room to work and all work is from underneath.  We found great help with a long strap around starter that was fed up around exhaust manifold and another who was standing outside motorhome would pull out to lift starter and take weight off my arms.  I could then maneuver the starter into place and start bolts, one of which could only be reached with long socket extension between starter and engine block.
Usually a 5/8 12 point socket
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean