Starter Sticking?

[woodchuckie]

I just replaced the starter relay on my 1977 dodge slant six pickup. It will work now but most of the time the starter won't stop turning. I disconect the battery and hook it back and it's ok until I try it again. I was wondering if the starter was most likely to blame or could it be the ignition switch. Before I replaced the starter relay I never had this problem when I could manage to get it to crank.

 

[ToadHill]

My bet is that the bendix spring is sticking. I had it happen on an old Duster slant six years ago.

 

[EddieWalker]

My backhoe had a similar problem. Every now and then, it would stay ingaged when starting the engine. A relative of my ex wife owns a diesle repair business and he told me a guy he knows that rebuild them. I took it out, had it rebuilt and it still kept doing it from time to time. Luckily I got divorced and stoped listening to him. hahaha

The starter was built in one of the Eastern European countries and of questionable quality. I went to a business that specalizes in starters and alternators that one of the guys at New Holland recomended.

They guy there said those starters are pure junk and there's no way to rebuild them. He sold me a brand new Bosch for $80, and three years later it's still working great.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[dbdartman]

I just replaced the starter relay on my 1977 dodge slant six pickup. It will work now but most of the time the starter won't stop turning. I disconect the battery and hook it back and it's ok until I try it again. I was wondering if the starter was most likely to blame or could it be the ignition switch. Before I replaced the starter relay I never had this problem when I could manage to get it to crank.

First thing I'd do is be prepared with a wrench or other small hammer type device (or even a small hammer ). Start the truck & give the starter relay a sharp (but not too hard) hit. If the starter stops, you have a sticking relay (although it isn't likely the problem). If not, give the solenoid on the starter a whack. If that doesn't produce results, I'd be inclined to replace the starter again (should take all of 5 minutes on a /6, they're right out in the open).

To check the ignition switch, pull the yellow wire from the starter relay, leave the battery hooked up, turn the switch like you are starting it (it shouldn't start with that wire off) then leaving the ignition switch in the run position check for voltage at the yellow wire (it should be energised only in the start position).

 

[woodchuckie]

Thanks for all responses. I'll check it out this weekend hopefully.

 

[woodchuckie]

Well I took the hammer and taped the relay and just like magic it stopped. I thought that was neat. I just have to wait for the parts store to order another one.

 

[dbdartman]