Poll - Who has done the Doghead Relay Conversion

[Gripy]

I replaced mine within a week or two of buying my m1008. Not difficult. I got mine for 17$ from napa. Cheap insurance I figure.

 

[Vet89]

Do it sooner or later or you end up looking up the section for fusable links and taking your starter our and all kinds of other crap (like me lol)

Best advice ---->

 

[Flow]

I did mine within a week of getting my truck, easy to do have had 0 issues.

 

[M923driver]

Did it in no time, highly recommended!!!

 

[GreggVA]

One of the first things I did to the M1009. I heard the horror stories of hanging relays and burnt starters. Seems to have helped the starting reliability of the truck. It used to not like to start when warm, I have not had that issue since. Better go check again now....

 

[Timber]

I did the conversion on mine a while back, no issues.

 

[islandguydon]

Doghead was wondering how many people have done the starter relay conversion/upgrade so I thought I would start the poll for him.

Here is the Sticky from the CUCV Forum.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/cucv/60960-doghead-starter-relay-modifcation.html

I have done two for myself and another person. Please list why you did it or why you won't do it. Thanks, Warthog

I did it since there might in the future be a starter issue and its better to be safe than sorry. Simple, cheap, easy fix. Also of note since a few hundred guys took the Doggs advise and are happy.

 

[Keith_J]

I have the relay on hand, just haven't gotten around to it. Plus I've run out of 10-12 AWG eyes.

OK, got it done TODAY. I took the original one apart and it has the freewheeling diode. This prevents arcing on the ignition switch since there is reverse current when the solenoid deactivates. This can cause arcing so a snubbing diode is added.

I don't know if the new one has this snubbing diode. Couldn't tell with the ohmmeter.

 

[scottladdy]

Done to both my '84 M1009 and '85 M1008. Works great so far.

 

[byrnestree]

ive been having alot of trouble wit hmy 86 m1008. i got the starter rebuilt, replaced teh fusible links going to and from the starter and terminal plus the starter relay fusible link. i replaced the starter relay with a new stock one. my alternators are redone, im getting 24v of power at the terminal block on passenger side of truck. my batteries are both readign 12.6. went crazy going through all the wiring. still no crank truck wotn start. the starter relay is constatnly clicking when i turn key. any help i would greatly appreciate.

 

[Cucvnut]

starting your own thread might help.

 

[wayne pick]

ive been having alot of trouble wit hmy 86 m1008. i got the starter rebuilt, replaced teh fusible links going to and from the starter and terminal plus the starter relay fusible link. i replaced the starter relay with a new stock one. my alternators are redone, im getting 24v of power at the terminal block on passenger side of truck. my batteries are both readign 12.6. went crazy going through all the wiring. still no crank truck wotn start. the starter relay is constatnly clicking when i turn key. any help i would greatly appreciate.

A new stock starter relay? You do understand the whole point in the doghead starter relay mod right? The stock relay is prone to failure. Do the doghead mod, and if you still have a no start issue, search the TMs and threads. This thread is for those who have or have not done the mod.

 

[srs78]

Thank you Doghead for the mod & Realm for the post

I am grateful that Doghead unselfishly shared the fruits of his ingenuity and efforts. Cheers.

 

[OLDCHEV4X4]

Its been 2 years since I did the mod. Everything is working fine.

 

[mkcoen]

Keith_j did it on Timo247's 1009 yesterday. It pretty much had to be done as the old relay was missing.

 

[Keith_J]

Yeah, I could do it in my sleep when the connector is hanging loose.

Being a preservationist, I don't cut the connector off but make short pigtails, using 1/4" spade terminals to plug into the factory connector.

I saw the relay in the LMC catalog last night, it is a BLOWER MOTOR relay . No wonder it fails.

 

[Defensive Armament]

Thank you for this tutorial doghead. After reading about this possible Malfunction I was glad to find this modification. it was an expensive and very simple to do. I went the extra mile and soldered my terminal connectors then used heat shrink tubing around the connectors. the whole job took less than an hour. thanks again doghead.

 

[Commander5993]

Did the Conversion on our M1008 a few months ago, Before anything happened.
Great and Easy Mod to do, and can save your starter (and a lot of headaches) too.

 

[wayne pick]

Yeah, I could do it in my sleep when the connector is hanging loose.

Being a preservationist, I don't cut the connector off but make short pigtails, using 1/4" spade terminals to plug into the factory connector.

I saw the relay in the LMC catalog last night, it is a BLOWER MOTOR relay . No wonder it fails.

You can also purchase the very same relay at www.cucvelectric.com for $7.97. Why? I have no idea. In their defence, they do however ask that you read their starter run-on failure article. They also offer the doghead style relay for $9.97. There is no mention of it's amp rating though.

 

[swinters]

You can also purchase the very same relay at www.cucvelectric.com for $7.97. Why? I have no idea. In their defence, they do however ask that you read their starter run-on failure article. They also offer the doghead style relay for $9.97. There is no mention of it's amp rating though.

I've had great luck using the relays (and other items) from CUCV electric. They have a direct replacement that's better quality than the GM one plus for a couple of more dollars have a HD one in a mod kit they've put together. If you wait for the WAIT light before cranking the engine you'll avoid a lot of the failures in the starting and glow plug circuits.