My truck 2003 W900L KW, C-15 Cat had started to make a clicking sound sometimes when I go to crank it. I turn the switch off and turn it back on and it fires right up?

Checked, cleaned and load tested batteries, and all connections, starter, and alternator and all check out fine.

Called KW Place and explained it to them, and they told me good chance my soleniod on the starter was going bad.

I asked them if that was hard to change and he told me that it use to be very easy, but now with the newer engines it was almost as easy to just change the starter out.

Looking for advice and suggestions. He did tell me that my KW has a smaller soleniod in the battery box and it could be that but did not know how to go about checking that, with the exception of when it clicked next time to put a test light on the starter soleniod (not sure about this one) and see if it was getting fire or not, and if not then it was in the battery box.

Advice and suggestions needed here. Thanks

 

A clicking noise is almost always the solenoid. We used to hit them with a rubber mallet when the would do that, and sometimes they would grab. I'm not sure about the newer ones though.

 

The battery box solenoid switch; place your test light on the large output terminal and your ground clamp on ground, test light should not glow unless the key is in the CRANK position.

If you attempt to crank the engine, and it just clicks... 1. the test light glows = solenoid is good, or 2. test light doesn't glow = solenoid is bad... of course, this is the basics; it can get more complicated than this. But, if the test light glows, you're probably looking at a starter

 

The battery box solenoid switch; place your test light on the large output terminal and your ground clamp on ground, test light should not glow unless the key is in the CRANK position.

If you attempt to crank the engine, and it just clicks... 1. the test light glows = solenoid is good, or 2. test light doesn't glow = solenoid is bad... of course, this is the basics; it can get more complicated than this. But, if the test light glows, you're probably looking at a starter

Bob, are you talking about the test light on the battery box solenoid or on the starter?

It does not do this every time or every other time, so could I waith untilit does this and then put the test light to it leaving the switch on when it makes a clicking sound?

Did they tell me right if it is the starter solenoid it is easier to just buy the whole starter?

They have my starter on sale this month for $240.00, plus exhange.

Remember when giving me advice on how to test, my knowledge is very limited on doing this.

Thanks

 

Why a rubber mallet? Real men use a big hammer or cheater bar.

 

The small solenoid in the battery box is probably about 20$, so you may want to think about just replacing it. Delco changed the way the solenoid on the starter is fastened a few years back & it requires the starter to come off to replace it. Used to be able to switch them pretty easy beofre that .

 

Checked the Battery Box and found 2 solenoid terminals inside the battery box. They are both corroded over real bad. Will clean them up real good tomorrow and see what happens.

Thanks for the advice, and will let you know if this stops it.

 

I was told if you lick the terminals then drink Coke it cleans them up real good. Not sure I remember the exact sequence so you may want to Google it.

 

Rick, I have a C-15 in my truck. The starter solenoid went out back in february. Cat in Atalanta did the repair work for me...the solenoid and starter were one piece. The rebuild cost me $587.00.

 

Cleaned the soleniod swith and relay switch inside the battery box, both were corroded real bad. Will post in the next few days if this clears it up, as I believe it will.