How do I jump the starter?? (2010 International Prostar)

It is possible to jump a starter by circumventing a defective solenoid and directly delivering a surge of electric current from the battery. To do this, get a screwdriver with a long shaft and an insulated rubber handle. Touch the blade of the screwdriver to the post leading to the starter. This post is a large bolt and a thick battery cable leading to the solenoid. Touch the shaft of the screwdriver to both of the terminals leading out of the solenoid. Have the driver turn the ignition and start the vehicle.

This connection turns the screwdriver into a makeshift switch that short circuits electric current from the battery to the starter motor. If the starter engages and cranks the engine, it confirms that the solenoid is bad. Make sure not to touch any metal parts either on the screwdriver or the engine block. Shut down the engine and quickly remove the screwdriver. If left for too long, the electric current arc welds the screwdriver to the solenoid's terminals.

 

Buy it a nice dinner, maybe a few glasses of wine. Act confident.

 

Wrong.

To the op, there is something wrong, if you can't get it started, which means little without details (like if it turns over or it doesn't), there may be other issues.

So instead of trying to wedge a screwdriver into the starter without knowing what to do which can result in a fire, call road service and have them come out and see what the problem is.

By the way, I have a large screwdriver with a 5/8 inch shaft that I used it to start my small pony motor that is used as a generator when the solenoid went bad, I have three truck batteries connected and the starting current surge for that is about 900 amps, it has welded the screw driver onto the terminals more than once and I've had to beat it off with a mallet, the screwdriver becomes very hot to even pick up so dealing with a lot of current through a small surface area (contact points on the screwdriver) will create a lot of heat.

 

ouch! lmao, i couldn't resist the urge

 

#3 and the Terminal below it

 

Yeah where the power comes into it from the batteries and the starter terminal itself. BUT that doesn't mean that the soloniod will pull the bendix into the flywheel and be able to start the engine.






The terminal with the red cap and the one below it which you can't reach with a screwdriver.

 

You'll have a hard time doing that on a Prostar without being underneath the truck, especially if you have the Maxxforce motor. If you are not mechanically adept, I strongly advise against it. Also, if it is a company truck I would definitely not do it.

Most Internationals of recent manufacture have a clutch safety switch, where the clutch has to be pressed to the floor before the starter will engage. In your situation I'd look to see if that switch is out of adjustment and not engaging the clutch pedal.