Starter Clicking, not turning the engine over.

[m1008chevy]

I have a 1986 M1008, and the starter will click but not turn over the engine. Its the gear driven model and I have just replaced it. The gap is between .02 and .06 without any shims. Any suggestions? Very frustrating after spending $230 on a new starter...

 

[porkysplace]

Bad batteries .
[h=1]starter clicking rapidly[/h]

 

[m1008chevy]

Ill change my wording. When i go to turn the key I hear a click or clunk (like the flywheel is not lining up with the starter gear) If i turn the flywheel a little, it will start just fine. I have a gear reduction starter that says, "NO SHIMS". The batteries are brand new, as well as all the battery wiring from top to bottom.

 

[Sergeant1983]

I bought a spare starter for my M1009 and it's the smaller gear reduction style too. I had the same issue and I was thinking I had a starter going bad since it would do the same thing now and then. Click/clunk but would start unless I moved the flywheel by hand. But turned out to just be a connection on the firewall terminal block needed cleaning and tightening. Did you back check your connections? On a side thought, wondering if the brace that connects to the rear of the starter was still used with the newer smaller starter.

 

[m1008chevy]

The connections are all tight
I made the support bracket myself out of angle iron. Could that be a problem?

 

[DeucesWild11]

Did you check the voltage going to the starter? I don't know CUCV's but a similar situation with my 68 Firebird was getting low voltage, sometimes it would start 12V and other times a clunk or click, 8-10V. I wired up a generic solenoid to always get 12V and my problem was fixed. Not sure if that helps you at all..

Double check your ground as well.

 

[m1008chevy]

The fix to the problem was buying the correct bracket for the starter (Part # 23502557). Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[m1008chevy]

And the problem is back. It will click when the engine is cold, but after I get it started and the engine is warm I could turn it off and start without any issues. I checked the voltage at the ignition wire while cranking and I'm getting 10.78 volts. Is that enough to engage the solenoid after the truck has been sitting overnight. I have done the 12 volt conversion, and if I jump the purple wire with the red wire the starter will crank over the engine perfectly. Any help is appreciated.

 

[DeucesWild11]

Don't think 10.7 volts will do it. Sounds like the same problem I had as listed above. Get a $15 generic solenoid and that should do it. PM me if you want and I'll give you a call on how to wire it up. It's pretty easy

 

[rustystud]

Don't think 10.7 volts will do it. Sounds like the same problem I had as listed above. Get a $15 generic solenoid and that should do it. PM me if you want and I'll give you a call on how to wire it up. It's pretty easy

Agreed, you need a "relay" installed. I would get a "continuous heavy duty" rated one.View attachment Scan0061.pdf

 

[m1008chevy]

Ok, I will purchase the one used in the Doghead relay modification and post my results tomorrow. Without the relay in place if I disconnect the ignition wire and check voltage it shows the full 12.78 volts.

 

[m1008chevy]

Installed the relay, and push button start. All seemed fine today, fingers crossed it stays that way.