New Starter for CUCV: Should this happen?

[etvchicago]

Although this is my first post, this site has been invaluable to maintaining and upgrading my trusty CUCV since I got it over a year ago. Thanks!

I just installed a new starter yesterday after the original one wore out. I got the new one from an outfit on ebay called DB Electrical. The truck started up great the first few times. But then when I was out late last night, went to start it for the trip home, solenoid clicks, no motor. Had to tow it home.

After several hours of trying to puzzle out what I done wrong, a buddy just tapped on the starter with a wrench. Started right up.

Now I have heard of doing this with an OLD or WORN OUT starter to get it going, but this one is brand new! Is this an issue with a new starter "wearing in," or is the thing just bad? Anyone have this happen with a new starter?

Thanks for any input you may have!

 

[doghead]

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Thank you

 

[CycleJay]

EtvChicago,

I have an M1009 CUCV myself, and for awhile I have had starter problems.
I too have had to tap on an old and worn out starter to get it going.

But I have never heard of it happening with a brand new starter.
I am sorry to say, but in my opinion, that brand new starter may just be bad.

If I were you, I would do what the guys here told me to do, find a local reputable shop,
and have your original rebuilt. And ask the guys here for shop recommendations.

I asked the guys here for a shop, and Zout suggested a shop not too far from me,
and I got a couple of rebuilt alternators that have worked great so far at a fair price.

Hope that helps, and good luck... Let us know how it goes..

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

I would return the starter for replacement. Sounds like a dead spot.

 

[ryan77]

Is your truck still 24volt? Did you buy a 24 volt starter? Have you pulled it out and tested it? It might be a loose connection or bad ground or you got one with a bad solenoid!

 

[ryan77]

Where in Chicago are you?

 

[197thhhc]

As long as all your wiring is clean and tight I would say its a bad starter. This was probably a reman and not a totaly new unit. Its hard to find new and very expensive. Sometimes you get a dud. Good luck.

 

[Anubis8472]

This is a common problem with old chevy's.
The solinoid on the starter that engages (pushes) the starter gear out to the flywheel is sticking.
Tapping with a hammer frees it and allows it to engage properly.

Dirt and corrosion inside the solinoid cylinder is the cause.
It is fairly easy to fix, you just need to remove the solinoid from the starter and clean it out etc.
Being a new/reman starter, send it back for replacement.
They either did a crappy job, or just plain didn't check/clean the solinoid.

 

[etvchicago]

Ryan77, I'm in Forest Park. It's still 24v. All the connections are clean and tight.
197thhhc: It doesn't look rebuilt. The housing and all externals look brand new. Exhibit A: the label on the says made in China.
Anubis8472: I'I'm not looking forward to unbolting this thing, which will be kind of a b---h, and sending back. That's why I was hoping it might be that it just need to "wear in". I'm going to call DB Electrical tomorrow and see what they say.

Thanks to everyone for the quick input!

 

[ctmustang]

I'm all too familiar with the starters on e-gay that are new. They are new but they are chinese pieces of ###t! Better off th buy a used original and have it rebuilt by someone who knows what theyre doing and give at least a limited warranty.

 

[ryan77]

A m1009 in forest park???

 

[etvchicago]

A m1009 in forest park???

Yes, indeed! I go downtown alot, and I'm seeing more of them down there (or maybe I'm just more aware of them). I think the urban hipsters like them for the cool factor, and they can run biodiesel and WVO in them.

There's a dealer in Highland Park . . Motorsource . . . who sells a lot of guvment vehicles; he usually has several CUCVs on his lot, among other Army vehicles.

 

[ryan77]

I know the area i work in that area in the city! Motorsource is overpriced junk!

 

[etvchicago]

I'm all too familiar with the starters on e-gay that are new. They are new but they are chinese pieces of ###t! Better off th buy a used original and have it rebuilt by someone who knows what theyre doing and give at least a limited warranty.

I know, I know. Bonehead move. DB Electrical advertised a 1 year warranty, so when I call tomorrow, I'm going to find out what they have to say.

So you've seen this with these Chinese units? It started this morning well. Maybe I will have the old one rebuilt, and keep one around as a backup.

 

[etvchicago]

I know the area i work in that area in the city! Motorsource is overpriced junk!

I see you've had many of these! Where do you get yours? Do you get them off the base, or other individuals?

 

[ryan77]

I see you've had many of these! Where do you get yours? Do you get them off the base, or other individuals?

I buy from base or another ss member! I dont like dealers i avoid them like the plague.

 

[etvchicago]

I buy from base or another ss member! I dont like dealers i avoid them like the plague.

I hear you. I'm not a fan, either.

Hey, is there someone you might recommend in the area to get a starter rebuilt?

Or possibly, I might get the parts and take a crack at rebuilding it myself. The original one is the 27MT, isn't it? Or do you know how to identify it?

 

[DrJekl]

I have one from DB as well. Did the same thing, returned one, got one back. New one did the same thing. DB will tell you to send it back for another. They are new and they stand behind them. Shipping runs $15 to get it back each time. Adds up. I kept the last one and took it to the starter shop I use and he said there is nothing wrong with it, seems well made, and worked on the bench. Just not so well on the truck. No idea why.

 

[zaxcucv]

I know the area i work in that area in the city! Motorsource is overpriced junk!

Sorry for the OT - but I didn't have this experience. I bought one from Motorsource, and the local mechanic who currently owns six of them and works on most of the units in the area says that mine is "the cleanest one he has ever seen" - and that's before I repainted it. It looks brand new underneath, as do most of the parts in the engine bay. I have yet to find any rust on it, the other guy who works on it marvels at how easily the bolts come out, and three random people have offered to buy it from me upon seeing it. Perhaps it is an "overpriced piece of junk" but I didn't feel it... If you are an expert, yes I believe you can do better. But I felt mine was a fairly well vetted vehicle for a person new to the hobby as I admittedly am. I have bought a whole heap o' cars, though.
Back to starters...when possible, always buy American. A reputable rebuild shop will produce better product than a chinese assembly line in almost every capacity.

 

[ryan77]

Well everyone from the south is like that, he buys them from gl gets them running and sells them! So he pays average 1500 and sells them for $4200 plus tax! Yes your getting a truck u can test drive etc but im not paying a mark up for something i can do my self! Some of the stuff i have seen over there has been nice like the m35a2 he had a while ago! For a newby its the safe way to go!