For a while ocasionally I have noticed that the starter does not try to start. Today twice when I stopped and parked the truck, when I got back in and tried to start the truck it would not turn over. No clicking or even trying. The voltage meter showed between 8 and 14 volts. I don't remember if I looked at the voltage meter when I was cranking. I think once it may have been below 8 but I am not sure. I tried several more times and then the starter made an attempt to start. I tried again and it started.

I remember reading before about some who have changed the brushes in the starter. Does this sound like a bad starter? Is there a starter relay? Or does it sound like bad batteries?

I will check back Friday to plan my attack on Saturday.

Thanks,

Randy

 

If it was making a loud "click" when you turn the key, that would sound like the common starter failure that these starters get. The contactor inside the starter bendix gets beat up and can't feed enough current through the starter windings to turn it over.
If there was no sound at all from the starter than you may want to look at some sort of neutral safety/park switch. Next time it happens try moving the gear selector a littile to see if it helps.


P.S. If it is the starter, get yourself one of those repair kits off Ebay, when mine went I had no idea what the problem was so I bought a new (rebuilt) starter for $200+ and after removing the old one found that it would have taken 5 min to fix if I had a new contactor.

 

Very common problem, your starter contacts are worn.
Buy new ones and get replacement instructions here>
http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm

 

This fix worked for me. Good peolple to deal with also.
V

 

I would recomend doing a voltage test first, but it is an intermittent problem and the volt test only works when it isn't cranking. The next time it happens, try to notice what you do to get it to crank. move gear shifter, slowly move the ign sw to the start pos, repeat start attempts, any clicking you hear while turning the ign sw. You said there wasn't any clicking before, so that would indicate neutral safety sw, starter relay, solinoid, or wire. Clean the batt connections, low volts could contribute to this. Good luck

 

I noticed mine has been starting "funny" lately, and I was just about to replace it as a preventative measure. I just ordered my new contacts and plunger from LarryB for $40.00.

Thanks infidel, you may have saved me $200! You da man!

No, you don't get a commission!

 

Thanks guys,

I knew I read something about the starter contacts. The truck has 104000 miles on it now. I am going to order the contact kit today. I was thinking it may be the neutral switch but when I checked this morning it tested ok. It takes more time to get the plugs off the sensors than anything else. Of course it cranked right up at the house, it will probably only act up if am 200 miles from home like yesterday. I have a jumper to bypass the sensor and will also try to start it in neutral if it happens again. Also I am keeping my multimeter in the truck to check if voltage is getting to the starter.

I will report the results when I get it rebuilt.

Randy

 

I had a similar problem last fall. When checking the wire connections at the starter, I noticed the loop connector on the small wire was corroded where it was crimped. I replaced that connector with a solder type waterproof one, and the truck has started fine ever since. I live in the salt belt, and attribute the corrision to that.

Not saying this is your problem, but it might just be something to check.

 

I just installed my new starter contacts from LarryB's. Darn good thing I did. The old ones were almost burned through. Those of you that keep your truck for 100K miles plus you need to do this. https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...cat/500/page/1

Its very easy to do, about an hour or less. You'll need a 12point 10MM, 11/16 deep socket, 5/16 wrench. Make sure you disconnect the battery! I can still see the flash! YIKES!


Thanks Infidel!