LadyLuck

I'm selling my M1008. Lots of interest, all going good, new MOT etc, low price...but on two occasions when a buyer with cash came to buy it, it went wrong on the day they arrived therefore wasting everyone's time.

First one the starter motor went 10 minutes before buyer arrived! spent £300 getting it sorted. Then today another buyer comes...trans fluid everywhere in road and not shifting up to 3rd gear when he test drove, but it was fine before!

Have no more money to spend on it. Removed ebay listing even though there were lots of bids. Can't think of anything other than scrapping it now and trying to forget about all the lost money.

I have not enough technical knowledge to fix it myself so that's not an option.

I'd really appreciate some great ideas on this one please guys!!!

Try here for parts.http://www.us-army-military-shop.de/

Thanks I'll look there for the starter motor!

These might help you.[ATTACH=CONFIG]105607[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]105608[/ATTACH]

Thanks!!! Sorry I didn't see it earlier...I don't get this website!

Now I'm looking for a starter motor!!!

hi there its a bit late what do you need help with i have a 1982 m1008

Thanks...I messaged you

That's great. On Steel Soldiers you will see the general advice for getting a new CUCV is to change the fluids, anything rubber (seals, belts etc) and definitely do the Doghead Relay Conversion. This is swapping the original GM starter relay, under the dash, for a more robust starter solenoid to avoid the starter running away and frying wiring and batteries. Just search Doghead Relay and there is a simple set of instructions with photos. I have found a UK site on eBay which does a solenoid for £9.99 and it took me about an hour and a half to fit it - and I am no mechanic.

 

The other thing is to watch for broken or detached wiring grounds (earths) of which there are loads on CUCVs. Again SS will tell you where to locate them. I have a 1985 M1009 Blazer.

 

Re batteries - just look up in the TM the correct way (and sequence) they should be connected - my truck helpfully has numbers painted on the connectors to match those on the batteries.

I expect your problems are a combination of you and your mechanic being unfamiliar with how these trucks are set up, likely a cable has been connected wrong or a loose wire or a blown fuse - again under the dash and they are just standard fuses. Remember CUCVs are mass-produced commercial vehicle with parts common to many GM and others products and they are well supported in the US, Europe and by American car parts suppliers in the UK.

Keep me posted.

Steve

Hi Steve,

Thank you for your reply...again!

That's really useful info.

I find this website difficult as I don't get any notifications. I'm missing lots as the only way to find out is to log on and literally check every post I'm on! Does this happen for you?

Anyway, the truck is up for sale on eBay. I don't know whether to sell it or not!

I think the starter problems are ok now. She's starting up at least! there's a bit of a high pitched squeak when you rev up but not when idling. Don't know what that is. The belts have been changed.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Helen

Ahh shame. We are in Cumbria...........

Ah! that is a shame:-(

My biggest problem is finding a knowledgeable person that can help me fix my truck! If I could solve that problem I wouldn't have the other problems.

You'd think it wouldn't be so hard!

It looks like you've started a trend. Welcome along.

Thank you!

Sorry for late reply...I don't get the notifications system on this site...seems random! I'm missing replies because of it!

Hi Helen,

Right - my first piece of advice is - don't panic!

 

Then - try this site Steel Soldiers which is US-based and the link should direct you to the CUCV section covering your truck and all the variants. After joining (very simple) you should find EVERYTHING you need to know about these trucks by checking out the stickies and FAQs. I am a complete mechanical dunce (apart from working on Vivas and Cortinas many years ago).

I do know enough to see that the CUCVs are very simple mechanically - though the 24 volt electrics with two alternators and two batteries initially appears to be complicated. It is NOT complicated and an hour searching Steel Soldiers should make things a bit clearer. It is also a source for the online US Govt Technical Manuals which you can download as PDFs to your pad or mobile, and contain very simple instructions to do ANYTHING on these trucks and with easy to follow diagrams and drawings.

 

I see you are having trouble with the batteries and I wonder if this is because the system has been changed to 12 volt? Again Steel Soldiers should be able to help here.

 

 

Thirdly - if you are at a show in the UK (Overlord 2015 this weekend) and see someone with a truck like yours just ask them for some help and advice. You will find everyone will be eager to pass on their knowledge.

 

I can get back to you with some more help on where to get parts (again surprisingly easy).

 

Hope this helps - and welcome to the world of Cucvees!

 

Steve

Thank you so much Steve!!!

I'm feeling better already.

I have been to Steel soldiers and downloaded the tech manuals which I've been trawling through for help...but I must be the biggest dunce around because they are confusing me even more ha!!

I can do stuff if I've got clear instructions. I need a like Hanes manual in book form...I'm crap at reading stuff on my laptop!

I got a battery isolator switch, and I'm getting the batteries charged up so at least they can't sneakily drain out while I'm not looking. Still doesn't explain why the draining is occurring though. I have a million wires about the engine. I think it's still a 24v system (but how would I know otherwise?).

Could it be the glow plugs or relay or something staying active longer than they should??

I'll check back later.

Thanks

Helen

Where are you?

North London

As with other military vehicles, the CUCV's used a 24-volt electrical system. It was actually a hybrid 12/24-volt system that used 24-volts under the hood, complete with dual 100 amp alternators, the mandatory NATO slave receptacle for jump starting any NATO vehicle, and hookups for military radios.^[6] The rest of the truck was 12-volt.

 

Explains why 1 battery maybe dead as opposed to two.

 

Diana

Yeah I guess so! I got a battery isolator switch today. I'm going to charge both batteries, fit the switch and at least they cant drain whilst not in use.

Didn't they have an issue with glow plugs staying live and flattening batteries? Try disconnecting the relay to them!

Yes this could be the problem. I have no idea how to disconnect the relay though. I'm a bit nervous of anything to do with batteries and electrical stuff! I need step by step instructions I'm afraid :undecided:

Did you charge the batteries?

 

Depending on where you got them, the quality and how they were kept they may not be charged. If you replaced like for like then and the original were fitted correctly then even if new they may still be discharged.

 

Diana

the batteries were both tested and all good and the next day, one was dead. no idea why.

Post some photos of the batteries installed in the vehicle. Have you anything else connected to the one which goes flat? 12v phone charger, radio, lights etc?

Hi,

Thanks for your reply,

Nothing else is connected to them, as far as I know...nothing obvious anyway. I'll post some pics of the batteries installed ASAP.

Hi Lady Luck,

Just seen your post about your M1008 (there's no doubt it is the military version - and while it is very RED it also looks to be very tidy).

I have an M1009 and will gladly help where I can with where I have sourced parts etc. And I have experience of the dreaded MOT calling for the US-style headlights, flashers and orange markers to be modified.

I am not an expert - but I now know who and where to ask for help.

Steve

Hi Steve,

Thank you for your reply. Sorry, I haven't been back to this site in a while and as I'm new to it I don't get the randomness of the email notifications about replies and messages! So I didn't know I had a reply.

I think I'm going to sell the truck. I am having major problems with very little things. No-one seems to know what to do with it and I'm talking qualified mechanics! I wish I was brave enough to tackle it, but I'm not.

Any advice? (and I'll keep checking back this time).

Thanks

Helen

Presuming that both batteries are connected in series then it would appear you have a battery problem.

 

You need to specify if it starts or not. Even then because a vehicle starts does not mean that the batteries or charging system are performing as they should, as some time after it may either not turn over or turns over sluggishly.

 

And batteries at the end of their life do "drain" as you put it or simply do not hold their charge owing to sulphation of the plates (lead acid types), caused by age and failure to keep a battery charged. A common problem in old vehicles.

 

Some gel batteries can be even worse, having a good terminal no load voltage, but zero or near zero when a load is applied.

 

Diana

Thanks for your reply, and advice.

I think the batteries are connected up wrong but I'm not sure. Got 2 new batteries, one was dead the very next day!!

What on earth could cause this?

Don't know if I've got the right batteries, or if they are connected correctly, and I've got no idea myself and don't know anyone who's got any ideas...that's why I'm stuck!

What's wrong with it? It's American so can't be that complicated.

You would think so!

damn batteries...one's dead, then the other one! Don't know what's happening. Engines turning over fast enough but one battery is draining.

No ones been able to get to the bottom of it yet.

And I'm losing the will to live!!

1985 M1008...I tried and I failed.

Love this truck but it's finally beaten me. It needs some routine maintenance and I can't do it or find someone who knows what to do. I need either...A. find expert help, or B. sell her on to a good home and to someone who understands her.

Can anyone give any sort of advice? At my wit's end :embarrassed:

I know it's an old thread but I really need to connect with some owners in the UK!!

I have a 1985 M1008.

I need all sorts of help!!!

Welcome & where are the picture's of the CUCV , I cannot be the only one wanting to view the M1008

I'm having parts nightmares...I put a post up in the American cars forum. Can you advise?

tha last pic was supposed to be this one...back end!

one more pic...these were taken by her last owner, although she still looks the same!

there you go!

I just got the truck in for a service but having nightmares finding parts.

Anyone got one of these vehicles or can offer advice?

Also, I need to join an owners club...not sure whether to go with an American owners club or military vehicles as it's ex-military and civilianised now, just looks like a Chevy truck!

help much appreciated

If you have a petrol engine there is no problem with LEZ. Though any vehicle except darling little eco wagons, which your definitley 'aint! :-D will have to pay congestion charge. The proper year plate for the vehicle does make life easier should you come to sell it on, also some insurances can be fussy over them. Though if you go for a specialist insurer normally no problems. Though they may ask for photos of the vehicle and if you have a second vehicle for everyday use, they may not cover for commuting. If you do ask for a change of the registration, or VEN in current jargon, you will have to produce the letter from the DVLA and VL5 plus the usual ID to get the new number plates made up. The other thing , if the vehicle is stolen, it is essential to have the proper data to enter into the PNC. Take plenty of photos and note any other unique numbers on parts for your own records. If the worse happens the more numbers the better.

Thanks,

it's a diesel engine ha! but as I said there's very little info on the logbook. Insurance and tax was cheap...£220 for a year's insurance and £130 for 6 months tax.

I've had the vehicle checked and checked again and there's nothing suspect, it all comes back good, it's just this one digit wrong when they registered the chassis number 20 years ago.

Could be working in my favour, this is the thing!

Congestion charge, definitly. LEZ depends on what is on the log book, fuel used (Petrol or Disieil) and what ever bills TfL have to pay on cross rail. Some of the descions are bizzare. If petrol, shouldn't be a problem. There are a lot of Petrol Land Rovers running about whilst the same disiel version is ok if the log book states Estate or station wagon but banned if it says Utility, and the diffrence is ??????

 

I live right on the edge of the zone near J3 of the M25, at Cudham a friend of mine can leave her property in her horse box , turn left and go where she please. If she turns right, she can go up the road about half a mile turn right, and has to stop. There is about two hundred yards of road inside the LEZ.

 

As for Congestion Charge (Whilist in full steam) a few years back (Well ten now) at the 60th annivesary of VE/VJ day , aome of us were invited to take vehicles up to display on the Mall. All official etc. Every vehicle attending was charged congetion charge for the three days they were parked up on display!

Thanks for your reply.

I hadn't really thought about it.

As it turns out I might be getting away with it because there's not much info on the log book. The reason being is because when the truck was imported and registered in 1995 someone put zero instead of a D on the fifth digit of the chassis number leading to it being unknown and getting a Q plate.

I can get an age related plate as I have been in contact with the DVLA, explained the problem and they are ok with it if I want to go ahead but then all the info will then be on the log book that's not on there now!!

Hmmm I want to get that Q plate off though.

What do you, or anyone else think?

Thanks.