Starter Question

[LionsGuy]

I feel silly for this but need to ask on here anyways.

So my truck has been randomly not starting, i tightened the positive connection on starter and it ran again for a while. Then after a 45 mile trip I put it away and tried to start it again, and just one click, so I disconnected the positive cable and cleaned it with sandpaper, put it back on and starts right up again. I knew this was the obvious issue, the starter was replaced last year in a parking lot by my brother when he owned it so it’s easy to see why the connection wasn’t cleaned.

2 things that caught my attention while down there bruising my knuckles.

1. Starter didn’t have heat shield
2. No washer in between nut and connection.

Is the heat shield completely necessary? (Ordered it anyway, just want to drive before installing)

Do I need a washer between positive connection to selenoid and nut?

Thank you

 

[Big Mama]

Yes and maybe. The people that designed it for a heat shield are way smarter than me so I’d go with them . As for the washer it depends. Look at a picture of one on line and see if it comes with one. Some have lock washers some flat and some copper or none. Mine has a lock washer

 

[PG01]

Yes and maybe. The people that designed it for a heat shield are way smarter than me so I’d go with them . As for the washer it depends. Look at a picture of one on line and see if it comes with one. Some have lock washers some flat and some copper or none. Mine has a lock washer

Yes and there also may be a ‘star’ washer in there for contact porpoises Ive seen star, flat,cable, flat, nut configurations

 

[LionsGuy]

So maybe a brass or copper washer would be sufficient to put between nut and back of cable connection with the front of connection being pressed against the selenoid contact. Am I right in this order?

Big Mama, unfortunately I don’t know the exact starter, aside from it being from oriellys and pictures of other ones on rock auto are hard to tell

 

[Big Mama]

No worries do as you plan in the order you mentioned washer next to bolt head. Copper would be my choice for good connections

 

[Fless]

Yes and there also may be a ‘star’ washer in there for contact porpoises Ive seen star, flat,cable, flat, nut configurations

This sounds kinda fishy, @Galante. Please do not "contact" those mammals. LOL

 

[Doubeleive]

the heatshield is likely for longevity of the starter, heat kills pretty much anything over time, that heatshield may make the starter last 10 years versus 5, or at least past the original gm warranty period. lol

 

[LionsGuy]

the heatshield is likely for longevity of the starter, heat kills pretty much anything over time, that heatshield may make the starter last 10 years versus 5, or at least past the original gm warranty period. lol

That’s what I figured. Just don’t want heat being a factor in it not starting when I really need it to.

 

[LionsGuy]

To all those reading this I also have some tips while down there.

1. Remove wheel
2. Remove the wheel well dust shield

Also I may invest in one of those Milwaukee m12 1/4 batterie powered ratchets for jobs like this. I just need the tool, can buy used on offer up for 60. Trying to ratchet those nuts for the selenoid connections is such a PITA!

Has anyone used one for these for connecting the selenoid connections? If so did it fit? Just curious thanks.

 

[PG01]

This sounds kinda fishy, @Galante. Please do not "contact" those mammals. LOL

U missed star fish..... lol