Ok, well my fuell shut off solenoid went south about a month ago. I tested it with another relay and it was still inoperable. This lead me to believe the solenoid itself was the culprit. I ordered a new solenoid from Piers Diesel Research, and got it a few weeks ago. I installed it this afternoon, and same problem. The solenoid does not pull up, but if manuall set in the up position it will hold. I tested it with 2 different (Presumably good) relays once a gain, and same results. What could it possibly be? I pulled the solenoid back off and with it plugged in, but not hooked up to the lever, and achieved the same results, no movement, but if manual placed in up position it would hold, and release with the key. I am getting very angry. Please let me know, Tim

 

Check the fuseable link at the Drivers side battery...I think it's a blue wire.

Mine corroded in half and cause the same thing yours is doing.

HTH,
Chris

 

Yes, you can bypass the circuit and run it direct to the battery to test it. I bet you will find your old one was still good. Just a quick touch, don't want to over heat it. Good luck, Kevin

 

The shutdown solenoid is the most needlessly replaced part on a 12 valve, expensive too.
They usually only go bad when the starter contacts wear out and stick, then the lift up coil stays energized and overheats. You will know it when this happens, it smells and sometimes will even catch on fire.
The problem is almost always the blue fusible link, the relay or a bad connection on the starter motor.

 

Be sure to check for a good ground...

I ran into this problem awhile back, and it was a weak ground. I just cut teh ground wire, and grounded it at the shut down solenoid mounting bolts.

Merrick

 

when you say the starter wire isn't making good contact... which wire on the starter would that be? I just replaced my starter about a month ago. If I remember correctly theres only 2 wires hooked to the starter... the power wire, and the relay wire. Let me know, Tim

 

I messed with it this afternoon, I replaced the fuesable link for no reason, but i put in a standard inline fuse holder (conventional automotive fuse, not a glass style fuse) since I had a nice 12awg wire/holder inline lying around. Does anyone see a problem with this?

I used a stardard test light to test, and the constant positive is getting to the solenoid, but there is no switched 12v source that is working. If you jum the two terminals of the relay the solenoid will work. This means.... the starter wire? How could it not be getting a good contact? Please let me know, Tim

 

Brown wire on the under side of the starter, maybe that is the problem. need to lye on the ground and look up at it to see it. Might be a bad connection at the small terminal (the one the nut threads onto). Kevin

 

It's the third wire that you didn't see.

 

There are supposed to be two wires on the starter terminal (little stud)? That could be the problem... I was down there checking it out today I wasn't looking for a third wire, perhaps i need to give that a shot. All that is hooked to the starter terminal is a single ring connector (14-16awg) brown wire.

Should I be looking for a third wire? Let me know, Tim

 

also, I checked the connection, it appears clean and solid. -Tim

 

can i just run a wire to the turnon lead of the relay? directely from the starter motor? Will this cause any problems? I cannot locate a third wire.

Please respond. -Tim

 

It was the relay... what is the rating on this relay? AKA how many amps do I need to be able to send through it? Can I pick up a univeral one (Not a light duty relay, but something comprable)? I know Foster's sells one but I would rather not have to pay shipping and wait and I definately do not want to spend $60 from the dealer.


Right now i have a standard style bosch relay in it and its working, how long will that hold up before damage?

Thanks, Tim

 

A long while. It's really only used during cranking. After that the load on teh solenoid is very light.

Merrick

 

The relay is a 70 amp jobbie.

You *could* wire 2 regular Bosch relays in parallel... That would split the load.. Hmmm...