Truck not starting

tenntrucker · Mar 17, 2014

Truck not starting this morning, just clicks when I turn the key..... sounds like a solenoid, but it and starter are only about 6 months old. Apu is running and am showing a good battery charge. The clicking is coming from left dash area and on the firewall there is a round object that reminds me of a solenoid on a ford truck that is where the clicking is coming from , I believe. Guess I will have to wait on TA service truck. Great way to start the week, and only about an hour from my drop.
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tenntrucker · Mar 17, 2014

Update, TA road side has come and gone and he couldn't get it started. Tech thinks its a electrical issue in the wiring. He doesn't think its the starter. Looks like its a tow to the shop for further looks.

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jujubeans · Mar 17, 2014

Someone forgot to kiss the Blarney stone this morning!

tenntrucker · Mar 17, 2014

jujubeans said:
Someone forgot to kiss the stone this morning!

Must be a Irish thing, because I have no idea what your talking about. Off to Google it.

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tenntrucker · Mar 17, 2014

tenntrucker said:
Must be a Irish thing, because I have no idea what your talking about. Off to Google it.

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Google says that kissing the stone gives the power of speech and persuasion, ....

not sure what you mean?

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davekc · Mar 17, 2014

Is this a Freightliner with a Cat engine?

tenntrucker · Mar 17, 2014

davekc said:
Is this a Freightliner with a Cat engine?

Cat c9

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davekc · Mar 17, 2014

If it wasn't changed when the starter was replaced, it is the high voltage relay on the firewall.
It will have two battery cables going to it. Some have two wires and some have three. Not a cureall, but to start without towing it, you can get lucky by hitting it with a hammer a couple of times. Sounds strange, but that usually will get you a few starts. It is likely stuck on the inside. The good news is it is not a high dollar part.

OntarioVanMan · Mar 17, 2014

davekc said:
If it wasn't changed when the starter was replaced, it is the high voltage relay on the firewall.
It will have two battery cables going to it. Some have two wires and some have three. Not a cureall, but to start without towing it, you can get lucky by hitting it with a hammer a couple of times. Sounds strange, but that usually will get you a few starts. It is likely stuck on the inside. The good news is it is not a high dollar part.

Oh my...the hammer trick still works ?.....that is wild!!....I did that with my old Dodge van once whacked the altenator...

davekc · Mar 17, 2014

Kind of the same thing. Although here, you hit the regulator bolted to the firewall. Don't hit the alternator in this case.

tenntrucker · Mar 17, 2014

davekc said:
If it wasn't changed when the starter was replaced, it is the high voltage relay on the firewall.
It will have two battery cables going to it. Some have two wires and some have three. Not a cureall, but to start without towing it, you can get lucky by hitting it with a hammer a couple of times. Sounds strange, but that usually will get you a few starts. It is likely stuck on the inside. The good news is it is not a high dollar part.

Thanks Dave, that may be it. Took a look at it and found a corroded eyelet that just broke off when I touched it. Going to replace it and will get back with a update.

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OntarioVanMan · Mar 17, 2014

davekc said:
Kind of the same thing. Although here, you hit the regulator bolted to the firewall. Don't hit the alternator in this case.

that what I call your one time shot....hail Mary! Don't push your luck get it fixed the truck gives you one free pass....LOL.....it sometimes works on fuel pumps as well I have heard....

davekc · Mar 17, 2014

Sounds like you are in the right place. Disconnect at the battery because that will throw some sparks. Ensure all connections are clean and that should do the trick. Still may need the hammer if cleaned and still nothing.
What is pathetic is the TA guy should have identified that issue quickly rather than me looking at it through my EO post.

True. It sometimes will work on a old fuel pump if you can get to it.

zorry · Mar 17, 2014

Will work on burned out headlights of old.
Turn on, whack with fist and sometimes the filament would reattach.

Modern filaments/bulbs too thin for this to work. ;(

tenntrucker · Mar 17, 2014

Update , replaced connector and still just clicking. I lightly taped it with a hammer and the housing just went to pieces....

I gave up and having it towed to a shop. More updates as they come in.

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davekc · Mar 17, 2014

Bummer. Probably could have got the part and just put it on yourself in order to save the tow.

tenntrucker · Mar 17, 2014

Update, part is replaced, they called it a solenoid. No go still clicking. So they claim to have checked and say getting good volts to starter, so it must be the starter. Install new starter, still no go. Have no ideal now. Could it be some kind of safety sensor?

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davekc · Mar 17, 2014

Did you replace the actual starter solenoid? The one attached to the starter? A wired wrong starter will also have those symptoms if the right amount of volts are going to it but it fails to respond other than clicking.