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Starter Solenoid Issues

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RJS

RJS

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Occasionally, after using a trickle charger on my battery, I've had an issue with my starter solenoid sticking and my starter continuing to run until I either a) rap on it with a wrench or b) disconnect the battery ground. Anyone else experience this?

The solenoid itself is rather new (2 years max) and cost $16 from one of the big three. Can I open the unit and clean the contacts?

Alternatively, I see NAPA lists an Echlin part number for $50 and an Alstrom part number for $72. Generally, in my experience, NAPA parts are extremely high quality. Is it possible my $16 solenoid is simply junk?

Cheers

Bob
 
I'm in the parts Biz, and you get what you pay for. At parts houses, There are almost always two lines of parts "A" and "Z". If you are keeping the car do not scrimp, compare brands, and get good quality. If you are selling the car, and only need it to start / run long enough to do the deal, then price shop. Although, we gets lots of people who claim to be getting rid of the clunker car, and they buy the cheapest battery / part we sell. Then a year or so later, or at the onset of cold weather guess what won't start the tired car anymore.
 
I had the same problem with a new starter relay switch from Moss. I just went and got an early Ford starter relay from NAPA. I think it was about $20. You lose the push button feature, but you can always use a jumper wire.

Edit: Here's the expensive switch from NAPA. The cheap one is $11. I don't know why you got such high quotes from NAPA, unless you asked for something other then a Ford switch. I looked this up as a '74 Maverick, but any of the '60-70s Ford will be the same. Disregard the extra "R" terminal. It's for sending twelve volts to the coil when starting.

Edit again: I see my link is not bringing you to the part anymore. It did originally for me. Oh well...the part numbers for the two relays are:
ECH ST81 for the $23 switch (Echlin)
MPE ST81SB for the cheaper one.

Edit yet again: I just tried the link again and it worked...sometimes I just don't understand computers. :wall:
 
Or just a thought, you could try buying a reproduction solenoid from TRF. There may be a reason theirs costs twice what you paid somewhere else.
 
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