Diesel Mechanics? Starter question..

[chalet2506]

I've got 99 International 9200 with 60 series Detroit that started and ran for a couple minutes this morning then died. Gauge showed 12 volts and it wouldn't turn over after that. Had one battery terminal with some corrosion so I cleaned that, put my hd jumper cables on it, let it charge for a bit and got it to start up again. The starter to took a second to engage, not a clicking like it was low on power, more of a hesitation. Anyway, truck ran for about 30 seconds, died again, and when I tried to start it the solenoid started shooting sparks, now I can't get it to turn over.

Bad starter? Its cold and rainy and the mechanic my fleet service sent over thinks something's wet and that's causing a short. Truck has been sitting all weekend so I don't know what would've got wet. Solenoid on top the starter was dry. I'm thinking starter / solenoid, its just odd that the truck died twice, which is something it usually doesn't do. They want me to let it sit and dry out, but with the weather it'll be a couple days before that happens.

 

[Fordum]

If you actually saw sparks, then most likely you have either a loose wire or a bare one on the solenoid or starter. An internal short usually does not get outside.
An old time type diesel does not care about electricity per se, since every thing is mechanical once it gets running.

Nowadays though, you have all kinds of electrical goodies that have to get power to let it run.
My best guess, is that the wire cluster on the solenoid is loose or bad and when it starts running it vibrates loose and kills power to the electronics.
Pull the ground wires from the batteries, throw a tarp over the truck and on the ground to stay dry, and check that connection on the solenoid. Probably need to pull the wires off and make sure they are all good.
Also look for any shorts, and try to figure out where those sparks were coming from.

You need to pull all the battery cables loose and clean them all. Diesels need all the amps they can get to crank, and if one was corroded, then others probably are too.
Of course, if you going to have to rely on the fleet mech., then I suggest the tarp idea, plus hot coffee and maybe a donut to get him under it.

J.

 

[chulisohombre]

definitly sounds like a bad connection to starter.if it sparked the starter connector from the solenoid to the starter,it could be the jumper wire that sends power once the bendix engages the flywheel.either way i would disconnect the batteries and pull the starter to see whats wrong under there.it should be pretty easy to find where it sparked by the burn marks on the starter.

 

[chalet2506]

You guys were right on the money. Loose wire on the solenoid was causing the sparks, but the truck kept dying because the coolant was low. I should have thought about the coolant. Its got a cold weather leak, and I have to add every once in a while. But with all the rain there wasn't an obvious puddle and it didn't even cross my mind. Thanks for the help.

 

[chalet2506]

Of course, if you going to have to rely on the fleet mech., then I suggest the tarp idea, plus hot coffee and maybe a donut to get him under it.

J.

I take care of my mechanics. Lunch is always on the stove, coffee is always in the breakroom.