Solenoid solution?

[jpickerign]

Hey guys, recently had the dreaded starter meltdown. New starter, new solenoid. Testing in garage, over the course of about 10 minutes I started it 3 times. The 4th key hit it only clicked, 5th key hit the starter stuck. I wired a LED to my dash so I knew right away, got the battery disconnected to stop the starter. Question is, is there something else to look for? Did I just have bad luck and receive a bad solenoid? Can't find anything on the forums as far as an update, just to keep replacing the solenoid as it goes bad. Seems crazy that there seems to be no good option. I really thought I would find searching that someone found another option, thinking about hooking up a master shut off switch I can reach from the outside at this point. Sorry if this was covered and I just didn't find it, I really tried about every search I could think of

 

[74Nitro]

OEM solenoid?

 

[Mooseman]

And OEM starter? Maybe an excessive current draw fused the solenoid. Also check that your main ground is clean as a dirty connection can increase resistance and current draw.

 

[jpickerign]

I went with DB Electrical for both. I was hoping to find a different solenoid that could be wired in since it is such a problem across the board. If OEM is the best option which is still a fail point, I think hooking up a shut off switch I can get to with the plastic on seems like the only way to save the starter. I can check the ground and see what it looks like, everything is still apart so that should be easy

 

[Mooseman]

I've read that DB Electrical starters are good. Even said that it's better than OEM. Haven't seen anything about their solenoids. For those I would steer clear of them as I've had really bad luck with aftermarket solenoids sticking and burning up a new starter.

One idea I've had was to use a generic solenoid, like this one, as the starter solenoid. bypassing the original. It's rated for as many amps as the battery can put out (300A). Why they used such a small solenoid on a starter is beyond me. Since trails still aren't open here, I might do this on mine.

Good idea on the cutoff switch. Along with the LED, will be good to prevent more starter burnups.

 

[jpickerign]

I've read that DB Electrical starters are good. Even said that it's better than OEM. Haven't seen anything about their solenoids. For those I would steer clear of them as I've had really bad luck with aftermarket solenoids sticking and burning up a new starter.

One idea I've had was to use a generic solenoid, like this one, as the starter solenoid. bypassing the original. It's rated for as many amps as the battery can put out (300A). Why they used such a small solenoid on a starter is beyond me. Since trails still aren't open here, I might do this on mine.

Good idea on the cutoff switch. Along with the LED, will be good to prevent more starter burnups.

Something like that is what I was assuming I would find that someone else had already tried, since this seems to be a pretty common issue and these machines are not new. I can't think of why that wouldn't work but I am very far from an expert.
Time will tell if the DB will last but it certainly spins faster than the stock starter. Just need the thing to shut off like it should.

 

[jpickerign]

Question mooseman, would you just find the hot wire and splice that over to the new solenoid? I know it's a 4 pin plug, but I'm not home to even check how many wires are there and what they do. I'm thinking I'll check the parts stores and pick one up on my way home. My guess is one of them is a ground since the solenoid isn't grounded in any way

 

[74Nitro]

I know the OEM solenoid is a little pricey, but I can't risk having a come back and an angry customer. The aftermarkets aren't good enough in this application.

 

[RobX-1]

I know the OEM solenoid is a little pricey, but I can't risk having a come back and an angry customer. The aftermarkets aren't good enough in this application.

X2 but will substitute your risk with my risk of "being up in the U.P. 500 miles away from home and out on one of our 200+ mi day rides and having it go out." Am currently replacing the starter in my Apex and don't think the solenoid is bad but am ordering an OEM just have as a spare; but will order the newer (sealed) ones used on the newer Apex's.

 

[74Nitro]

Question mooseman, would you just find the hot wire and splice that over to the new solenoid? I know it's a 4 pin plug, but I'm not home to even check how many wires are there and what they do. I'm thinking I'll check the parts stores and pick one up on my way home. My guess is one of them is a ground since the solenoid isn't grounded in and way

The fuse in there and a couple of the wires are for the fuel injection power.

 

[Mooseman]

I'd find which wire is the solenoid trigger and use that instead. Those fuses might be powered by that hot battery wire so I would add a jumper from it to the new solenoid and move the other big wire that goes to the starter over to the new solenoid. I wouldn't want to risk still having the OEM/aftermarket solenoid actually do anything it still sticks and keeps the new solenoid powered.

 

[maim]

i still need to get one for the phazer and my 16 but all my other e start sleds have rock's starter warning light on them.

 

[jpickerign]

i still need to get one for the phazer and my 16 but all my other e start sleds have rock's starter warning light on them.

I put an led dot light by my key. Cost less than a dollar.

 

[74Nitro]

Guys, with all due respect, why so many modifications?
Just use the factory solenoid.
Be done quickly and enjoy a beer.

 

[jpickerign]

Guys, with all due respect, why so many modifications?
Just use the factory solenoid.
Be done quickly and enjoy a beer.

Now as I do get your point, I wonder with how many threads there are in this, the oem failure is a big issue. Until recently I didn't know how prevelant this issue was but that makes me wonder why not go a different route with an old school solenoid? It's not a huge job but really don't want to do it again. If when it failed it just didn't start I would be less worried but when these fail it doesn't shut off which on the trail can be a big problem trying to get the battery unhooked fast enough to prevent damage.
My OEM went out and I without knowledge replaced it with a cheap Amazon option, that ate my starter. The last couple weeks all I have read it seems to be a normal maintenance item which seems silly, I just think there must be a better way. Maybe I am naive