After towing up hill to 4K feet, pull in to fill up. Too far from pump so I try to start the truck to move it back 3 feet and the motor takes a half of a crank then cuts out. Batts are strong. Just a click from the motor. 2.5 hours later, it starts right up and works fine the rest of the trip. It happened a month earlier after pulling in to the camp site in Big Bear. Pulled in the site, needed to move back 2 feet, 1/2 a crank then nothing. click. click....wouldn't start. Pulled batts, cleaned off connections, waited about an hour, then it started right up.

I know that I should let the turbo/motor/etc cool by running the motor, especially after a hard tow up hill, but is there a shut down that won't allow the motor to turn over?

Is the heat having an effect on my starter contacts? Relay? I want to get some thoughts on the forum before blowing $ at the dealership for them to replace things that 'might' be the culprit...

Happy Towing

 

These guys can help, I believe...

http://nationsautoelectric.com/dodgetruck.html

 

You can also check with Foster Truck for starter parts as well. The fact that it just clicks with nothing else does sound like a starter contact problem.

 

Hmm, so we think its the starter parts...the problem must be tied to the heat generated from the motor hanging up the starter. Its weird that it starts fine except for when extremely hot... It looks like an easy fix. I appreciate the direction. I'll get the parts and let y'all know what shakes out. Any other ideas, please let me know. I'd rather try what I can myself before going to the dealer...

 

I forgot to say that the 'click' is the relay. I don't hear the click down near the starter. Would you say to still replace the starter contacts?

 

It sounds to me like a relay..

And yes, be sure to idle your truck for a few minutes up arrival, new turbo's aren't cheap.

 

You can replace the relay as a first step. You can also pull the starter and look at the contacts prior to replacing them. This will give you an idea of whether or not they're showing any burn marks or wear. When I replaced mine, one of the contacts was almost completely worn through and the other had a pretty significant mark in it. Sometimes it would start fine, other times I had to try 10-20 times before it would catch.

And x2 on the idea about letting it idle to cool down before you shut down. It's easier on all of the parts (most importantly the turbo) to let it cool down after a hard pull where you brought the temp up. Usually, if I stop for fuel while towing, I'll let it idle while I fill up, especially if I'm getting right back on the road.