Starter Motor - Solenoid Clicks, No Pinion Engagement
NUMBER: 86-B-112GROUP: 6D - Engine Electrical
DATE: August, 1986
SUBJECT: 5MT MOTOR SOLENOID CLICKS, PINION FAILS TO ENGAGE RING GEAR
MODELS: 1983-85 C TRUCKS WITH 5.0L V8 (LE9/LF3) 1984-85 K TRUCKS WITH 5.0L V8 (LE9) AND MANUAL TRANSMISSION 1983-86 S/T TRUCKS WITH 2.0L L4, 2.8L V6 OR 2.5L L4 (LQ2, LR2, or LN8) 1985-86 M VANS WITH 2.5L L4 (LN8)
During a start attempt, if the solenoid "clicks" and the pinion fails to engage, follow the diagnostic procedures found in Section 6D of the Service Manual. Common causes of this condition include a discharged or defective battery, defective switches, excessive circuit resistance, and/or a defective solenoid. If the condition remains after performing the above mentioned diagnosis, a possible cause may be failure of the shift collar to move on the drive shell in the drive assembly. When this happens, the shift lever movement is stopped, the solenoid, contacts cannot close, and the result is a solenoid "click" with failure to crank the engine. This condition would occur only during a butt engagement, which is an infrequent, but perfectly normal occurence. Repeated attempts to crank usually result in immediate pinion engagement, and the crank attempt is successful. On a problem vehicle where none of the usual causes of a solenoid "click" are found, replacement of the drive assembly may correct the problem.
Starter:
1 - CONTACT DISC 2 - PLUNGER 3 - SOLENOID 4 - RETURN SPRING 5 - SHIFT LEVER 6 - BUSHING 7 - PINION STOP 8 - CLUTCH 9 - FIELD COIL 10 - ARMATURE 11 - BRUSH 12 - TERMINALS 13 - DRIVE SHELL 14 - SHIFT COLLAR