Finicky starter

3rd Gen. After off roading and a deep puddle or two, then an undercarriage power wash with a water broom it started giving a click then starting. Then two pushes of the ignition button with a couple clicks. It’s periodic right now but not going away. Always starts but might be getting worse.

Anything I can do or check before I replace the starter/solenoid?

 

Might only need the mud removed from the Solenoid .

But if your that far new contacts and plunger may as well be replaced.

Better then a questionable quality after market reman starter.

 

If you’re still within 3 years/36k warranty it’s worth pursuing that and seeing if they’ll cover that.

 

I am.. I’ll dig in there tomorrow and see what we what we’re dealing with. Hit it with the air gun, clean it up and replace any cheap stuff myself. If it still acts finicky I’ll try warranty for a new one.

Thanks!

 

What’s the best way to clean this? Little sucker’s got me scared to death to touch it! Haha

 

There’s no way to clean it without taking it out of the truck. It’s a sealed unit minus the two small vents on the housing.

only thing I’d do is disconnect your battery and check the main 12v supply terminal nut for corrosion and tightness and also reseat the trigger wire connector.

 

But are we’re saying that anything on the exterior of the starter will not cause malfunction at all? Only internal pieces could be causing this?

A sealed unit I could spray with a light degreaser and mist it. I’ve never messed with starters.