Failure to start. Looking for suggestions.

[DonTom]

It could be either ground or positive.

With the age of those cables, if never replaced since 1994, @dgs331 probably should just replace them both and then see if more troubleshooting is necessary.

Often when I have such an issue, I figure it is time to replace a lot of the related stuff that can cause the issue.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[bigbAZ]

If you suspect a bad ground a simple test is to bypass everything by clamping both your jumper cable ends to your negative battery terminal then clamp the other 2 ends to the engine down by the starter then try to start it with the key. A single jumper might work but 2 in parallel is better.

 

[CharlesinGA]

12.4 v is not enough. If that is what you are measuring at the battery, it is all but dead.

Charles

 

[dgs331]

It could be either ground or positive. One place that can be hidden is the positive cable that drops down to the starter, it can get pretty corroded where it connects to the terminal end and if it's insulated you won't see it. I had this on a Ford, the cable was 4/0 and looked fine on the outside but when cutting into it you could see it was all green and corroded for several inches back into the insulation. I had to buy the whole OEM cable assembly to fix that one, dual battery diesel.

I am getting 12.94 volts to the starter. I put a new one on this morning. Still will not engage. I am still getting a click under the hood but nothing else.

 

[dgs331]

12.4 v is not enough. If that is what you are measuring at the battery, it is all but dead.

Charles

I measured at the starter this morning and I am getting 12.94 volts. I put another starter on it and I still just get a click under the hood.

 

[bigbAZ]

I am getting 12.94 volts to the starter. I put a new one on this morning. Still will not engage. I am still getting a click under the hood but nothing else.

A click under the hood? Or at the starter? Is there a starter relay under the hood?
Also it would be helpful to measure voltage while attempting to crank to see if it is dropping out which would indicate a failed connection point.

 

[dgs331]

A click under the hood? Or at the starter? Is there a starter relay under the hood?
Also it would be helpful to measure voltage while attempting to crank to see if it is dropping out which would indicate a failed connection point.

Under the hood and I did replace the starter relay as well. I don't have anyone to help me so I am limited in what I can do.

 

[bigbAZ]

Under the hood and I did replace the starter relay as well. I don't have anyone to help me so I am limited in what I can do.

An alligator clip and some extra wire could get the VOM into the cab when you are cranking. Somewhere you have a bad connection and it is not allowing enough current to engage the starter. What happens if you jump the relay under the hood? Getting new parts bad out of the box is not uncommon these days.

 

[dgs331]

An alligator clip and some extra wire could get the VOM into the cab when you are cranking. Somewhere you have a bad connection and it is not allowing enough current to engage the starter. What happens if you jump the relay under the hood? Getting new parts bad out of the box is not uncommon these days.

I have not tried jumping the relay yet.

 

[bigbAZ]

I have not tried jumping the relay yet.

Whatever you do, before jumping things make certain it's in park.

 

[DonTom]

I measured at the starter this morning and I am getting 12.94 volts. I put another starter on it and I still just get a click under the hood.

Measuring the voltage when not under the load of the starter, is usually just a waste of time.

The voltage under load, when attempting to start, is the only voltage that counts, Then the voltage will drop, but how much of a drop?

Will be a two-man job to check if you have no way to remote start.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[rpnelson]

I have a 1994 Fleetwood Pace Arrow that will not start. I replaced the starter but it still won’t start. I get a single click under the hood when using the ignition. When I get under the RV and jump the starter directly, I get rapid clicking of the solenoid but the starter does not turn the engine over. I am getting 12.4 volts to the starter.

I wonder if anyone has experienced something like this or has a suggestion as to what to try next. I did replace the starter relay under the hood. I cleaned the battery terminals and the ground wire where it attaches to the frame.

Any help would be appreciated.

Sounds like the electrical contacts in the starter solenoid might be burnt and not making contact or the batteries might be bad and can't supply enough current to turn the engine over.

 

[rpnelson]

I have a 1994 Fleetwood Pace Arrow that will not start. I replaced the starter but it still won’t start. I get a single click under the hood when using the ignition. When I get under the RV and jump the starter directly, I get rapid clicking of the solenoid but the starter does not turn the engine over. I am getting 12.4 volts to the starter.

I wonder if anyone has experienced something like this or has a suggestion as to what to try next. I did replace the starter relay under the hood. I cleaned the battery terminals and the ground wire where it attaches to the frame.

Any help would be appreciated.

You may also have a corroded or loose battery or ground connection. If you are getting 12 volts at the starter when turning the key to start your starter relay is working.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

Goin' down a rabbit hole here testing things. Using jumper cables from the battery directly to the starter - positive and negative - eliminates a lot of variables. If one battery doesn't turn it over, try one that's known good (e.g. one that starts another car). It turns over or it don't, and what to do after that data point is known becomes academic.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[dgs331]

OK, here's the latest update and maybe the last one. I have given up. We replaced all the starter cable and ignition wire today. Still just clicks. Tried directly jumping the starter using jumper cables. Just clicked. Jesse thinks the starter gear is not engaging the flywheel. This is absolutely the correct starter according to everyone. Jesse thinks maybe they put a different flywheel and starter on this at the factory. I have no way to find out if that could be true. I have hit the end of my rope. I've spent two years and hundreds of dollars replacing parts with no change at all. I am beyond frustrated.

 

[LarsMac]

When was the last time that engine was running?

 

[bigbAZ]

This is the first you've shared that this has been a 2 year long ordeal! So it hasn't run in 2 years? Maybe it's time to re-visit the seized engine theory that was mentioned early in the thread. Have you put a socket on the crank bolt to verify that the engine turns?

 

[dgs331]

When was the last time that engine was running?

Two years ago.

 

[dgs331]

This is the first you've shared that this has been a 2 year long ordeal! So it hasn't run in 2 years? Maybe it's time to re-visit the seized engine theory that was mentioned early in the thread. Have you put a socket on the crank bolt to make sure the engine turns?

The engine turns easily using the crank of flywheel.

 

[dgs331]

When was the last time that engine was running?

Two years ago.