Starter Solenoid Hanging Up
 

A problem that I thought I got rid off is back.

From time to time when I start my truck the starter solenoid on the fender well will hang up and keep the starter gauged after the motor is running. Pop the hood, jump out and tap on the solenoid and the starter stops. I thought it was just a bad solenoid so I replaced it. Couple of weeks later it done it again. So when I replaced it this time I also done the Big 4 cable upgrade that I was planning to do anyways.

It has started great until last night when it hung up again. This is the third solenoid on the truck in less then three months. What could be the cause of the solenoid hanging up.

I have been using BWD solenoids since I can not get Motorcraft the parts store. I have ordered a Motorcraft solenoid and will replace the BWD if and when it hangs up again.

Could there be something else going wrong that is causing this or maybe I just got some bad solenoids.

Looking for any help or insight into fixing this problem.

did you replace the other solenoid? there is another one on top of the starter that pushes on the starter to engage the fly wheel that might be getting stuck and keeping the starter engaged. if you take the starter out and bench test it that will rule out the side mounted one.

I had to do a double positive cable to stop that.

I would not think its the solenoid mounted on the starter because when it does hang up all I have to do is tap on the fender mounted solenoid and it stops.

But, I have been wrong many times before.....lol


I do have enough left over cable from my upgrade to try this. What's the theory behind this stopping the problem?

No power goes to the starter mounted solenoid unless the fender mounted solenoid sends it there.

I have seen the cheap solenoids actually weld themselves together when the starter starts drawing more amps then it should because of high resistance, poor grounding, or just plain going bad . Take an old solenoid apart and see how they work and you'll also see burn marks on the big washer that makes contact with the posts. It is very educational.

TDCarter, make sure all your connections are clean (from the battery to the starter) and make sure your engine has good grounding, and the mounting surfaces for your starter, and solenoid are clean and debris free.
You can check the grounding by reading you voltage at the battery, make a note of the voltage and then check it again from the positive post on the battery and a ground on the engine. Compare the 2 voltages. They should be within 10ths of one another. Any more the 1V drop and you have grounding problems which can usually be solved by cleaning the ground connections.

Once the solenoid starts sticking, it needs replaced.

I solved that by running 1 inch copper for ground and power to a big boy 1000cca battery. Not cheap to do but I have zero issues now. she starts immediately now. FOMOCO fender and starter solenoids too...definitely not cheap but worth it IMHO

You can also get a 15 inch 2 gauge battery terminal cable from advance auto parts for less than $6. I have a triple positive connection, but if I had to do it all over again with what I know, I'd spring for the advance auto cable.

You guys are only treating a the symptoms. You are not fixing the problem

So tell me starter guru what is the actual problem?

I went through at least seven solenoids and four starters, last solenoid being Motorcraft from the dealer and only lasting two weeks as opposed to sticking immediately. The cables fixed it.