Triton Starter Problems
Q: I own a 1999 Monaco La Palma with the Ford Triton V-10 engine. For the last year or so the starter fails to engage right away when the ignition key is turned. It requires a second and sometimes a third and fourth attempt before the starter engages. I recently had the 30,000-mile service performed at a Ford dealership and they found nothing wrong. The ignition worked as designed and was fine until I made an attempt to start the engine the other day. It took three attempts before the starter engaged. Contact with Ford technicians disclosed that this is not a recurring problem with the Triton but they suggested that it could be the starter solenoid external to the starter.
Do you have any history on this problem and can you point me in the right direction to correct this deficiency? I have heard of this sort of a starting problem from one other individual who had a 460-cid engine. The engine has not failed to start, but the problem gets your attention after three or four attempts.
Ed Edelen, F221822
Titusville, Florida
Q: I have a 1998 Gulf Stream Sun Sport motorhome. The chassis is a Ford product and the engine is a Triton V-10. I have been having trouble starting the engine “” the starter does not energize to crank “” on an intermittent basis.
Calling Ford for a troubleshooting solution was of little help. I took the RV to a Ford truck service company. They performed an analysis of the starting system and ruled out such things as a faulty starter, starter solenoid, and key switch. They finally replaced the sensor unit mounted on the side of the transmission, which is supposed to allow the engine to start when the shift lever is in either the “park” or “neutral” position. After this replacement, they test-started the engine 50 times successfully. After only one week of travel, the same problem has come back.
Before I go back to the Ford truck service company, I would like to know whether that is the only solution to this problem or whether they possibly sold me a malfunctioning new sensor. Any clues to this annoying problem would be greatly appreciated.
Ernie Little, F356530
Pleasant Valley, Connecticut
A: According to my contact at Ford, do not rule out the starter motor just yet, but it also could be the relay or even the ignition switch. If you can do the work yourself, replace these three items with new parts. This should correct your intermittent starter problems.
SuperSteer Upgrade
SuperSteer, a division of Henderson’s Line-Up, Brake & RV, has announced a recommended upgrade for its SS302 and SS401 Rear Trac Bars. Motorhomers who have had a SuperSteer Rear Trac Bar installed on their W20, W22, or W24 Workhorse chassis or Ford F-53 chassis with 20,000 to 22,000 GVWR (with a Dana 135-150 differential) are asked to contact the service facility where the part was originally purchased and installed. SuperSteer will provide each facility with a new Differential Bracket Brace Kit and will cover the labor costs to install this strengthening brace at no charge to the customer.
Motorhome owners who purchased the SS302 or SS401 and installed it themselves should contact SuperSteer directly at (888) 898-3281. Once SuperSteer receives the receipt of purchase, the Differential Bracket Brace Kit will be sent at no charge to the customer.
For additional information regarding the SuperSteer Rear Trac Bar, call (888) 898-3281.