I have a 1988 S81LP-DRK and intermittently it will not crank. I was thinking that perhaps it was the starter solenoid, because when I disconnect and reconnect the solenoid it seems to "reset" something. Additionally, I can pull start it with not problem. The symptoms are as follows: push in clutch, turn key and the only thing that happens is the red warning light illuminates on the dash. No clicking noises, no nothing. Does anyone have any idea what this might be besides a flaky solenoid? Is there anything else in-line between the maxi-fuse under the dash and the solenoid? Sorry for all the questions but I greatly appreciate the help. Regards, Tony
I'm not sure about your model, but my S83P has a main fuse way under the front under the seats in front of the radiator. But I haven't had any failure of this fuse. It's usually something else. Check your grounds to the battery. I have had this happen and ended up being a corroded ground. That is if your lucky... It could be a number of other things including short between switch and solenoid, bad connection at solenoid, low battery charge(I denied this too until I charged it and it started working one time). Try shorting the solenoid at the starter to see if it cranks. If it does then you may be having switch problems. When it's running trying jiggling your switch without turning it back to see if your dash lights or anything blinks or the engine coughs. If so, back to the switch. I hate troubleshooting these things. It usually turns out to be something simple but it is also so simple it gets looked over. Process of elimination works every time if you follow the proper route. An electrical schematic may help with this. Highlight the path as you test progress through the system. Hope this helps some.
Thanks for your response the under dash fuse is what I was referring to as the "maxi-fuse", because I think it is a 40 amp maxi. That is always good, but a few things have worked besides the obvious pull start. 1.) Rocking the truck in gear. 2.) Jumping passed the control wire with the remote starter, which while not actually starting the truck it causes a reset. 3.) Disconnecting and reconnecting the solenoid, once again causes a "reset". Do you know if these trucks have a starter relay besides the solenoid and if so where is it located? I looked at the solenoid from a 88 charade and it looks the same so I may purchase one and see if that does the trick. In my experience in the past with different vehicles it has usually been the solenoid. I had a 95 F450 Super Duty dump that would do the exact same thing. Changed the on the firewall solenoid out with a genuine FoMoCo part and never had another minutes problem. It would be such a big deal but this is my wife's farm truck and when it doesn't start she is not happy and when she ain't happy ain't nobody happy if you get my drift. Thanks for your input. Regards, Tony
I know your pain with trying to keep the wife happy! This is actually one of those cases that everybody should jump in and help a fellow 'husband in trouble' out!!! With what you are saying about the starter and what you have found to work, I would suggest sacrificing the 50 or 60 bucks and have the whole starter and solenoid rebuilt. I use a guy local to me that is terrific on any type starter. He always does a good job, never costs over $60 for a full rebuild on most starters, and this usually solves my starter related problems. Worst case is you are out the money and still have the same problem with another component, but you have a newly refreshed starter. That never hurts and helps eliminate some of the problems. As far as having another solenoid, fuse, or link anywhere else...I'm sorry, but as I said my experience is isolated to my own experience with my own S83P. I don't know how your truck is set up exactly so I can't give detailed advice. But I can't imagine any of them not being similar. Maybe someone else will chime in that knows your truck better...good luck!
Thanks again, I think our trucks are pretty much the same. I think a solenoid would be a cheap place to start.
Also, this is a long shot and I'm not sure if your model has one, but make sure there isn't a safety switch that may be getting a loose or bad connection or just be going out. These are usually button switches installed behind the clutch pedal or wired into an internal solenoid in the tranny. Could be a clutch engage safety, neutral safety, 'butt in seat' safety(kinda like a riding mower), etc... If I had one on my truck I would be finding out how to bypass it, but that's just me...
That's weird. Mine will start in any gear, clutch in or out. So either the neutral safety is already bypassed or was never there. The only thing I am missing is my speedo cable was cut and never replaced. Everything else is hooked up. idk... Is there a solenoid actually mated to your starter? If so, I would price out a complete rebuild while they were at it. It's usually a better price doing it all at once. If not, just replace the solenoid you do have and go from there. But don't rule out the starter. I thought I needed to have my starter rebuilt a few weeks ago but turned out to be a lot of mud inside the motor housing that wasn't allowing the armatures to get full contact. I separated it and cleaned it myself with electrical contact cleaner and now it works better than it ever did. It was also just clicking when I turned the key but would finally catch just right and spin.
Thanks for sticking with me. I am gonna see if I can buy a solenoid for a Charade as I think they are the same.
I am still struggling with this issue and more often than not we have to pull/push start the truck. I bought a charade starter, which was a perfect match and worked just as good. However, it did the same thing. So, I took it to a rebuilder and he said there was a bad spot on the armature but everything else looked good. Unfortunately he couldn't find any numbers on the starter so he doesn't know what to order. Does anyone have a part number, Daihatsu or otherwise. We are about to have a bunch of calves born on our farm and my wife is the cattle "mid-wife" and the mini is her ambulance. Thanks in advance for your assistance.
My starter on my carry 1993 was skipping from time to time.i put it on the bench yesterday. The selenoid plunger was gum up with dust and oil. I cleaned it up with brake cleaner and a fine sand paper. It now runs like a new one. But if you tried an other starter this wil not apply to your problem.
The solenoid contacts do carry quite a bit of current and sometimes the contacts themselves in the solenoid will get burnt because of the arcing. I have in the past cured intermitant nostarts by disassembling the solenoid and filing the contacts to get rid of the burnt marks until they are shiny so they make a good connection. Fred
Be cautious using brake cleaner on electrical components... sometimes it will melt stuff other than the grease and gunk. Critical stuff that renders the starter useless. Electronic parts cleaner highly recommended.
