Our deuce wouldn't start, all of a sudden. Turned out to be the actual
solenoid that is affixed directly to the starter motor. The solenoid
coil was open. We chased the problem through the starter relay, which is
mounted to the side of the engine. That unit is easy to work on. It
opens right up with screws. Cleaned the contacts and put it back
together. Good as new. I recommend doing this. It really is easy to do,
and might prevent an unscheduled breakdown (ok, just what IS a scheduled
breakdown??).
A little background on the deuce (M35A2 with LDT-465-1C multifuel)
starting circuit: The starter button in the cab gets it's juice from the
ignition switch. That juice energizes a 50 amp contactor (relay), called
a magnetic starter relay in the manual. The relay closes a pair of huge
contacts that then send major juice to the starter solenoid, mounted
directly atop the starter motor. This huge solenoid does two things: it
bangs closed a pair of HUGE contacts that direct massive current
directly from the batteries to the starter motor, AND, it flings the
little gear outward, into the big ring gear on the flywheel.
If you have a breakdown on the road, where it won't start, you can
try to bypass the smaller relay and send juice directly to the starter
solenoid, but if that solenoid won't fling the gear forward. If you
bypass the solenoid, it will run the starter motor, but to no avail,
without that little gear being flung to engage the flywheel.
I have been told that you can bypass the starter relay and use the
staring switch in the cab to send juice directly to the starter
solenoid, but that will cook the switch, in a few months time. It might
get you home, however.
Jim
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