Big Red starter motor help

[maxdallasfan]

So the starter motor on my 85 Big Red is starting to go. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I've seen a lot on ebay, but I'm not sure which one's are legit....or just junk.

Also, does anyone have a step by step on how to replace the starter motor? Pictures or videos would be awesome!

[ditchmud]

Make sure it's not just the solenoid!! I went and bought a new starter and the figured out that just the solenoid was intermittent.

When it doesn't want to start tap on the solenoid and see what happens.
I have a starter if you need one. Lol

[maxdallasfan]

Hmmm. It kind of sounds like its clicking. If I turn it off and on a bunch, the electric start doesn't work at all. Once it sits for awhile, it clicks for a bit then fires up.

What do you think ditch?

[ditchmud]

Mine would click too, that's why I thought that it was the starter, but when I put a voltage tester on to the starter side of the solenoid and pushed the starter button it would show no voltage. So even though the solenoid was clicking it wasn't passing the voltage. A couple of light taps on the solenoid with a hammer and it would work. A solenoid was only like $12 on ebay

[maxdallasfan]

Thanks man. I'll get one and try it out. Any tips on removing and replacing that I should be aware of?

[ditchmud]

Very simple job. Disconnect your battery first.

[ericmreimer]

It's really easy, just unbolt and bolt up the new one. Sounds like brushes are going. Do you have the service manual?

[6speedthumper]

You can just jump the poles on the solenoid with a well insulated screw driver. If the starter works, the solenoid is bad.

[maxdallasfan]

Thanks guys.

[maxdallasfan]

So after eagerly waiting for a few days the new solenoid came. It sounds like she wants to fire, but still not enough umph to get her going.


So now what? It's an improvement over the old solenoid, but still won't go.

[ditchmud]

Are you sure that you have a good battery?
Do you have a volt meter to test it?
Dirty corroded connections?
You really need to test stuff before you go replacing things or this can get expensive. I learned the hard way and I bought a starter that I didn't need. Don't do the same.

[maxdallasfan]

The battery is only 2 months old. I guess I could try that.

[maxdallasfan]

Well it was the battery. Man am I stupid!