HelluvaEngineer
Active member
- 191
- 82
- 28
- Location
- Atlanta, GA
Hi guys. Thanks to everyone who maintains this site. I've been lurking for a few days reading the FAQs and various topics. I was hoping to be an m1009 owner this week, but it appears I will not be unfortunately. I'd like to relay my experience in case there's something I am overlooking.
I found a m1009 fairly close by that a gentleman had bought off a local mechanic. I don't think he had himself put many miles on it. He mentioned that when he bought it the truck had "starter problems" and the mechanic "repaired it" before doing the deal. Well, I went out last weekend and test drove the thing. It started fine and drove well. I agreed to come back the following week and close the deal on the truck.
He sent me a message back and said it wouldn't start. Must be the relay. One had already been replaced. Unfortunately he was going to be away for a bit but he promised me that his family would let me have access to the truck and he would order a new relay.
The relay came in today. I drove over and dropped the relay plate down. I plugged in the new relay (AC Delco, made in China) and I left the harness dangling because I had read about the runaway starter issue. Good thing I did. So I turned the key once. Nothing. Turned it again, nothing. Then I turned the key back off. After another couple of seconds I think I head a "snap" and then the starter starts turning.
I guess it wasn't connected to the flywheel because it just started spinning as fast as it could. I reached down and yanked the relay out. Starter stops. OK, now I smell smoke. I look under the hood and there's smoke coming up from the starter and over the wiring blocks (Related: is the top one 24v? or 12v?)
I was confused about why the starter wouldn't kick over until after the key was released. I touched the relay to the terminals with the key off and it tried to do it again. It nearly welded itself to the terminals.
Needless to say I've very skeptical about buying this truck. I saw some ugly looking wire splices, things that looked like 12v fusible links going to the relay resistor. Some wires had electrical tape on them. Should I run, run away or is there something likely "fixable" with this truck?
I have pictures of the starter, wiring busses etc. in case that helps. If so I'll upload them. Thanks to everyone in advance!! I really want a CUCV but not sure this one is going to pan out.
I found a m1009 fairly close by that a gentleman had bought off a local mechanic. I don't think he had himself put many miles on it. He mentioned that when he bought it the truck had "starter problems" and the mechanic "repaired it" before doing the deal. Well, I went out last weekend and test drove the thing. It started fine and drove well. I agreed to come back the following week and close the deal on the truck.
He sent me a message back and said it wouldn't start. Must be the relay. One had already been replaced. Unfortunately he was going to be away for a bit but he promised me that his family would let me have access to the truck and he would order a new relay.
The relay came in today. I drove over and dropped the relay plate down. I plugged in the new relay (AC Delco, made in China) and I left the harness dangling because I had read about the runaway starter issue. Good thing I did. So I turned the key once. Nothing. Turned it again, nothing. Then I turned the key back off. After another couple of seconds I think I head a "snap" and then the starter starts turning.
I guess it wasn't connected to the flywheel because it just started spinning as fast as it could. I reached down and yanked the relay out. Starter stops. OK, now I smell smoke. I look under the hood and there's smoke coming up from the starter and over the wiring blocks (Related: is the top one 24v? or 12v?)
I was confused about why the starter wouldn't kick over until after the key was released. I touched the relay to the terminals with the key off and it tried to do it again. It nearly welded itself to the terminals.
Needless to say I've very skeptical about buying this truck. I saw some ugly looking wire splices, things that looked like 12v fusible links going to the relay resistor. Some wires had electrical tape on them. Should I run, run away or is there something likely "fixable" with this truck?
I have pictures of the starter, wiring busses etc. in case that helps. If so I'll upload them. Thanks to everyone in advance!! I really want a CUCV but not sure this one is going to pan out.
