Starter FUBAR

[wreckerman893]

Well....I knew things were going too well with my newly acquired CUCV. Murphy must have finally found out.

Today I drove the CUCV to the lower barn to feed the piggys. I had started and stopped it twice switching the ignition off both times.

The last time I started it the starter hung wide open. Even when I turned the ignition completely off the starter was still engaged.

I finally got a hot and ground off one of the batteries and killed it.

When I put the battery cables on I heard a whirring noise like the stater bendix was engaging.

The wires on one of the alternators seemed to be smoking slightly.

Is this one of those problems that these wretched inventions of the devil are known for?

Any ideas?

 

[wheelspinner]

Doghead relay.

 

[goldneagle]

Did you do the DOGHEAD starter relay mod?

New starters on AMAZON.com for about $139. 2 year warranty. Gear reduction. Here is a link:

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ULHVVG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here is a link to the starter support bracket for the gear reduction starter on Ebay Under $13 with free shipping.

 

[rsh4364]

Yep been there done that,key turned off slammed door and starter ran away,fried wire harness and starter,did doghead relay mod,no problems since.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Not the end of the world but "you got some reading to do Lucy".

 

[zout]

At least if you have Murphy over there - I know he's not breathing down my neck

 

[EMD567]

Sounds like someone needs a doghead relay fix, and if you are lucky, thats it. If murphy really got ya, plan on a starter motor also......

Why do you think the 5 ton guys call the CUCV's wheel chocks........

 

[Warthog]

Read all the Helpful Threads for the CUCVs. Besides the Starter Relay upgrade there are a few other items to checkout. There is even a how to for the fusible links that you may now have to replace.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?123199-CUCV-helpful-threads

 

[Recovry4x4]

Sounds like someone needs a doghead relay fix, and if you are lucky, thats it. If murphy really got ya, plan on a starter motor also......

Why do you think the 5 ton guys call the CUCV's wheel chocks........

Possible answer, CUCV's are a little above their skill set?

 

[Warthog]

 

[EMD567]

Possible answer, CUCV's are a little above their skill set?

At least my electrical system works!

 

[Recovry4x4]

At least my electrical system works!

Yeah, mine do to. Poor wreckerman! CUCV's tend to fog the minds of the big truck crowd. There is a couple of things going on at once in the electrical system. Many see them as a cobbled together system, I see it as genius (well, except for that stupid factory starter relay).

 

[TGP (IL)]

Yeah, mine do to. Poor wreckerman! CUCV's tend to fog the minds of the big truck crowd. There is a couple of things going on at once in the electrical system. Many see them as a cobbled together system, I see it as genius (well, except for that stupid factory starter relay).

They are actually well thought out. Once you understand how it all works and do a couple of mod's. learned by others expense, it's dependable.
And you can't beat the twin 100 amp. alt's.
Tom

 

[Skinny]

I can never figure out how people think this system is complicated. It's like two seperate charging systems wired in series. It is no more difficult to troubleshoot than a standard 12v system except there duplicate pieces. Not only does it have a lot of power ability but if alternator one dies, you can simply swap it out for number two to get home.

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

Yeah, mine do to. Poor wreckerman! CUCV's tend to fog the minds of the big truck crowd. There is a couple of things going on at once in the electrical system. Many see them as a cobbled together system, I see it as genius (well, except for that stupid factory starter relay).

The relay isn't a design flaw, it's a manufacturer's defect, easily cured.

 

[swiss]

CUCV's rule, try taking your 5 Ton into Atlanta and parking in a parking deck, it just is not happening. Think of the CUCV as your life boat. Always around, easy to get into and rolling and in alot of cases will save your butt when your big boat is not running.

 

[Recovry4x4]

The relay isn't a design flaw, it's a manufacturer's defect, easily cured.

Semantics really but since you had nothing else to add, lets take a look. GM designers had a parameter to design the vehicle within. They opted to use a relay that is used for something else. The relay isn't up to the task. There is no defect with the relay, it works just fine in it's designed application but that's not where they put it. Seems like a design flaw to me.

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

Wow! Some people sure have thin skins!

 

[Skinny]

It only explodes the starter, melts any associated wiring, and leaves you stranded when the relay fails...not a big deal. Not like the ignition key shuts off killing you

Its a known problem and if you haven't fixed it immediately upon purchase you are either "driving a grenade with the pin out" or "running bare back". Whatever description works best!

 

[donalloy1]

They are actually well thought out. Once you understand how it all works and do a couple of mod's. learned by others expense, it's dependable.
And you can't beat the twin 100 amp. alt's.
Tom

Well spoken TGP! Follow SS prompts for mods and PM. Study TM's top to bottom. Seek advice as required. Once complete you will be good for long haul! My only wish is that I could keep alt belts from flapping at idle. Cannot seem to find Three bears setting and kepp it there.