Starter Help

[FarmerPug]

We have an old nissan forklift on the farm, i replaced the key today and it started a few times, but now its stopped starting, yet if a spanner is used to bridge the contacts on the starter it starts up, would it be the solenoid thats gone or the relay, i can still hear the relay clicking when turning the key yet the starter just doesnt turn.

[steve_earwig]

It has a solenoid and a relay? If it has a solenoid then it's probably a pre-engaged starter, if you're shorting the big contacts I'd have expected the starter to spin away like a loon without doing anything

[FarmerPug]

Im only guessing it also has a relay, there is one up behind the steering wheel that does a bit of clicking when the engine should be turning over, if the spanner is set between the 2 contacts then the starter gets the engine going ok

[FarmerPug]

I checked all the wiring, all seems to be in alright condition, there was 12v going to the solenoid when the key was turned so it rules out the switch, i just pulled off the starter and it can get fixed at a place up the road for about £30

The wire that goes to the top of the solenoid goes back to this relay which was a part i was suspecting but its clicking on and off ok:

[FarmerPug]

Got the starter back, apparently nothing wrong with it, the battery seems to be Fecked though, apparently it was jump started from a 24v lorry a couple of weeks back, what would that have ruined?

[steve_earwig]

As it runs it'll probably just be the generator

[TheSongRemainsTheSame]

Don't know if you need this now, but here's how to test a starter using jump cables from either a car, car battery, booster or charger:

1. The starter will most always ground thru the bolts and thus engine, so attach you negative clamp where the bolt(s) goes.
2. Attach the positive cable to the positive terminal on the starter (dooh:) )
3. Get a small piece of cable and jump the starter from the positive cable to the signal in point on the solenoid.
(In some cases negative connections are needed, however these are rare) On old english cars everything is backwards and ground is positive.

If starter now turns it is fine.

Common faults when starter is fine:
- Not enough power on battery. The starter requires a lot of power, if this is not present the relay will usually click. Test by jumping.
- Bad connection. Usually this is the main positive cable being a bit loose. Make sure the nut is screwed on tightly, and that the metal is nice and clean. Relay will also click.
- In extreme cases this can also go for the negative. Your look a bit rusty, might be the problem.

If relay makes no sound:
- Bad relay! Or possible no power what so ever.

Battery bad? Several ways to test, however the most inexpensive is to measure the acid weight. You need a special tool, but this is cheap. You can also simply charge the battery, if it turns very hot and/or start smoking it is gone.

[FarmerPug]

We spent a few hours today at the forklift, found out that a section of the wiring loom had been burnt so the glow plugs, fuel solenoid and starter were not working right, there was a wrecked relay for the glow plugs keeping them constantly on running the battery down, so new wires were added in, and a new relay the forklifts now starting ok.