Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Improve GMC cranking -- for free--
| [GMCnet] Improve GMC cranking -- for free-- [message #89103] |
Fri, 18 June 2010 08:37  |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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The dirty little secret here is; the GMC starter draws 100 amps just to run,
and 300 amps to crank the GMC. This says that any connection between the
battery and the starter (say.01 ohms) could drop 3 volts. A few of these
will cause big problems.
The OEM connection of the starter to the Boost switch was"just ok", when the
GMCs were new. but now, with Owner changes ( cut-off switches, bad cables,
bad grounds), use of the boost switch and hard starting have become common
complaints.
This is a simple 2 step process to help remove these problems - for free-.
You can leave in your disconnect switches, random wiring, etc , just hook
the starter and engine directly to the battery. The cranking is safe, full
proof, and will not drain your batteries in storage. So there is no need
to disconnect the cables when the coach is not in use.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=34367&title=slide125&cat=5493
or*
http://tinyurl.com/2bxtjnw*
An interesting side note. Mr.C and my favorite saying is " ask 3 GMCers a
question and you will get 5 answers. So when I gave this talk at GMCWS, I
asked how many were going to rewire their starters----- none raised their
hand. But just after the rally 3 have called me to say they made the
change and saw a real improvement ;>)
so do your own thing, but keep this in mind when you reach for the boost
switch
JWID
gene
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: [GMCnet] Improve GMC cranking -- for free-- [message #89114 is a reply to message #89111] |
Fri, 18 June 2010 10:47  |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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That starter wire connection on the solenoid seems to be prone to corrosion and generally poor connection. I've had a few times in the middle of no-where and gotten just a click. Cleaning that connection always did the trick, but I never thought about Gene's approach. I did just have to replace the starter the other day and I have to say it spins over like I can't recall for the last 15 years.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Improve GMC cranking -- for free-- [message #89208 is a reply to message #89192] |
Sat, 19 June 2010 09:01 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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>
> So why wouldn't just adding a parallel cable between the battery and the
> solenoid be sufficient? The Boost Switch when open doesn't do anything and
> when closed would still add boost from the coach batteries.
>
>
the boost switch is not a part of the problem.
the starter cable comes from the starter to the boost switch. (this was
the OEM configuration) . then a cable goes from the boost switch to the
battery. The problem is, this adds an additional connection and cable
length, between the starter and the battery.
and
and
this is where all the crap gets added by owners shown in the second slide of
the presentation.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=34368&title=slide216&cat=5493
I found 3 GMCs (one of them mine) where the PO had added battery cut-off
switches between the battery and the boost switch, which made the GMC crank
through them with more than 300 amps (which is not good).
and
and
the grounds are notoriously bad in the GMC. Most owners have the battery
ground going somewhere, with no direct connection to the engine. This
results in burned up acellerator cables, and tranny shift linkage with the
300 amps trying to find a way back to the battery.
this little procedure, lets you just consider the poor starter and it's
required 300 amps, with out having to rewire the whole GMC;>)
but as alwalys, do what you want to do, and when you think you need a new
starter, try this first.
gene
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: [GMCnet] Improve GMC cranking -- for free-- [message #89228 is a reply to message #89103] |
Sat, 19 June 2010 13:24 |
Craig Lechowicz
Messages: 541
Registered: October 2006
Location: Waterford, MI
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Gene, and all,
I did something similar when I made new cables shortly after I 1st got my coach and think it's a good approach. As you point out, it eliminates one connection, and probably 2 feet of wire's worth of resistance from the circuit.
Unfortunately, I learned the downside this spring. I have what you would call the 2 terminal approach (a marine/rv battery with only screw terminals) and between me spacing out and only hooking one of the + cables up after the winter down time, and my high tech 3 stage battery charger falsely giving a shorted cell read-out (which I've now learned my particular charger has a reputation for) the click, click, click when I tried to start it, made me replace a battery that I probably didn't need to. If you actually remember to hook up all the wires after winter it works well though.
On the start/stop button, I suspect manufacturer's are going to be less fond of them after Toyota's recent experiences, or at least be revising software so it doesn't take 3 seconds of holding down to shut off, which creates other issues
Craig Lechowicz
'77 Kingsley, Waterford, MI
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| Re: [GMCnet] Improve GMC cranking -- for free-- [message #89247 is a reply to message #89228] |
Sat, 19 June 2010 15:53 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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""On the start/stop button, I suspect manufacturer's are going to be less fond of them after Toyota's recent experiences, or at least be revising software so it doesn't take 3 seconds of holding down to shut off, which creates other issues ""
There are many excellent exictions of the start button that now are falling under suspiscion of another anecdotal mythe. My STS has a start button and it is one of the greatest things I've had on a car for a long time. When I push it while under motion, it stops the engine instantly. Don't blame Toyota's stupid execution as a damnation of a great convenience. I have to say the same about drive by wire. GM first applied it to the 1995 diesel powered Suburbans and at the time it had a brake over-ride. Now drive by wire is damned because of an inept application and people universally pan it based on anecdotal comments. The downside of forums such as this is that readers don't check the validity of comments and they quickly become "fact"
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Improve GMC cranking -- for free-- [message #89250 is a reply to message #89247] |
Sat, 19 June 2010 16:28 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Jeez,
I don't know what all this fuss is about start buttons; my 1949 Jaguar Mark
V has one!
Oh now wait a minute, I figger'd it out! In the Jag it really is a START
button not a stop button too.
I reckon we can blame it all on Bill Gates, I had a Kiwi Mate who once said
to me; "I don't care if he is the richest man in the world, clicking on
"Start" to stop a computer is ridiculous!"
Regards,
Rob M.
Now in Humble, Texas
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Bob de Kruyff
Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2010 3:53 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Improve GMC cranking -- for free--
""On the start/stop button, I suspect manufacturer's are going to be less
fond of them after Toyota's recent experiences, or at least be revising
software so it doesn't take 3 seconds of holding down to shut off, which
creates other issues ""
There are many excellent exictions of the start button that now are falling
under suspiscion of another anecdotal mythe. My STS has a start button and
it is one of the greatest things I've had on a car for a long time. When I
push it while under motion, it stops the engine instantly. Don't blame
Toyota's stupid execution as a damnation of a great convenience. I have to
say the same about drive by wire. GM first applied it to the 1995 diesel
powered Suburbans and at the time it had a brake over-ride. Now drive by
wire is damned because of an inept application and people universally pan it
based on anecdotal comments. The downside of forums such as this is that
readers don't check the validity of comments and they quickly become "fact"
--
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Improve GMC cranking -- for free-- [message #89253 is a reply to message #89252] |
Sat, 19 June 2010 16:53 |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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| k2gkk wrote on Sat, 19 June 2010 16:37 |
Harley-Davidson started putting drive by wire throttles
on at least some of their bikes in 2008, I believe.
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Harleys have always had drive by wire throttles. They just weren't electric wires. <GRIN>
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: [GMCnet] Improve GMC cranking -- for free-- [message #89260 is a reply to message #89256] |
Sat, 19 June 2010 19:54 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Chr$ wrote on Sat, 19 June 2010 17:15 |
... The best non-key feature of any car I have ever had is the keypad on my explorer. I plan to put one of those on my coach when I get everything else done.
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Like this?
<http://gmc.dwinchester.com/KeyPadKeylessEntry/KeylessEntry.html>
Note that this is not my coach. (Dan does good work.) I did pick up the parts for a keypad from the pick-a-part -- but haven't done anything with them... yet. (Story of my life.)
IIRC, Kelvin also has a keypad -- installed.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Improve GMC cranking -- for free-- [message #89290 is a reply to message #89269] |
Sun, 20 June 2010 07:38 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Kelvin Dietz wrote on Sat, 19 June 2010 19:00 |
> ... IIRC, Kelvin also has a keypad -- installed.
I do indeed. Very handy addition top the GMC.
<< snipped >>
No idea what this has to do with GMC cranking, though...
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Simple. ... First it was about improving starter wiring, then boost switches, then ignition switches, then starter buttons and the lack of keys... on then to the keypad on the door.
You didn't follow all that? 
Subject creep or drift. Not QUITE as bad as thread highjacking.
If anyone wants to discuss the keypads, mybe it is time to start a new thread. (For info: Dan's web site shows a newer (and better) type than the Ford one I picked up.)
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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