Engine cranking problem

[tldnc]

MF 265 diesel. When you turn the key to crank the engine sometimes there is a click then nothing. If you keep trying the key switch 8 to 10 times it may crank and run. I have unpluged the wires from the key switch and jumped them and get the same thing. I have tried cranking the engine by shorting the solenoid at the starter. No go.
Do I have a bad solenoid, bad starter or ??? Also battery voltage is checking as it should for proper cranking.
Thanks for any and all suggestions.

 

[Jim.ME]

MF 265 diesel. When you turn the key to crank the engine sometimes there is a click then nothing. If you keep trying the key switch 8 to 10 times it may crank and run. I have unpluged the wires from the key switch and jumped them and get the same thing. I have tried cranking the engine by shorting the solenoid at the starter. No go.
Do I have a bad solenoid, bad starter or ??? Also battery voltage is checking as it should for proper cranking.
Thanks for any and all suggestions.

If you are shorting from the battery post on the solenoid to the S terminal on the solenoid and it won't turn it sounds like a bad solenoid, If the voltage on the battery cable at the solenoid does not drop appreciably when you jump the solenoid. If the voltage drops a bad cable is possible.

 

[Dieseltech]

LOTS of Delco solenoids can be repaired ON ENGINE by doing this trick. Remove the ground strap, then remove ALL wires and cable from the TOP solenoid stud. LOOSEN the half nut several turns, push IN the stud and give it 1/2 turn and pull back out. Tighten the half nut, replace all wires and cable, and reconnect ground strap. What USUALLY happens on Delco solenoids is over time the bolt head wears away inside so the large contact washer can't connect the two large bolt heads together to engage starter. Turning the bolt makes it like new again inside, IF the bolt has not been turned before.

 

[tldnc]

MF 265 diesel. When you turn the key to crank the engine sometimes there is a click then nothing. If you keep trying the key switch 8 to 10 times it may crank and run. I have unpluged the wires from the key switch and jumped them and get the same thing. I have tried cranking the engine by shorting the solenoid at the starter. No go.
Do I have a bad solenoid, bad starter or ??? Also battery voltage is checking as it should for proper cranking.
Thanks for any and all suggestions.

Thanks to Jim.Me and to Dieseltech. New solenoid cured the problem.