1982 Freightliner COE...

Breaker 1-9, Breaker 1-9...any old school cabover driver's outer there? Long story short...I've bought my second Freightliner COE. The first one I bought was a 1978. Unfortunately, I didn't keep it long enough to enjoy..someone came along and made me an offer I couldn't refuse so I let her go...

After 4 years of owning a small truck fleet (conventional Freightliner/Volvo/KW) I have decided to back to a single truck and solo owner-operator, so I decided to go the old school route. Bought a 1982 Freightliner COE. The truck is in very, very good condition for it's age and appears to have been reasonably well maintained by the previous owner, (lots of new visible parts) and interior in like new condition.

However, on the drive home, I noticed that the RPM's would raise when I went to shift gears. About 15 miles into the trip I came to a yield sign at a highway entry ramp. As I was downshifting the RPM's raced to about 2200. I bumped the accelerator, assuming it had stuck open, but his only made matters worse. I then hit the key switch to off position thinking to kill the engine, but the engine did not shut down.

So I dumped the clutch effective killing the engine. I got out looked at throttle cable under the cab, the spring had jumped off the fuel rod. Started the truck back up and drove on down the highway, only to experience the racing RPM's again. I also noticed an electric smell coming from the driver's area but couldn't tell what. I managed to get it to my destination by working the clutch to control the RPM's.

I backed the truck into the drive, shut it down and then started it back up again just to make sure it would start.

Two days pass, I return to work on the truck, to find that it will not start. Turn the key, lights and buzzers, push the button an attempt at starting and then dead.

I checked the battery cables to find that they were significantly loose. I took the cables loose, cleaned them, reconnected. - Still nothing. Tested batteries, they were low. Charged up. Still nothing.

Checked starter wires, found loose connection - tightened - no start. Noticing electrical smell from starter / solenoid when starter button engaged.

The question is - does this suggest sufficient reason to replace the starter.

 

Awesome....im looking forward to getting her on the road. Be safe out there.