I've got a '98 12 valve and its been running great. I drove it around all morning then parked it for a while. I went to start the truck and all I got out of the starter was a wizzzzing sound. I took the starter off and had it checked at the parts store, it worked fine. I know the part store can't put a load on the starter so I haven't ruled it out yet but I want to know what everyone else thinks.

btw, the starter is a remanufactured piece from cummins and the throw out bearing is going out if that makes any difference.

Thanks,
Kyle

 

Check the FAQ page here.

http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/

A wizzing sound sound maybe more like a stripped gear on the started or ring gear maybe though.

 

was it a wizzing sound along with a power drop?...check all your connections and grounds...clean then and tighten...check that the bolts on the starter are tight too...all starting issues ive ever had were from losse/dirty connections and grounds ...and i replaced starter contacts once

 

u can check for worn teeth..i guess u checked the starter and the teeth werent worn on that?....drop the access plate under the TC and turn the plate all the way around with a screw driver to check for bad teeth on the flex plate if it was just a mechanical whirring/grinding

 

Ok guys, I took the starter off and cleaned the contacts and plunger. They looked almost brand new already. I replaced all of the battery cables and the starter still wont turn the engine over. We tried to pull start the truck but couldnt get enough speed to start the truck. When we gave up I tried the key and the starter started the truck. Since then it has gone back to making a wizzing noise. I've tried turning the engine over by hand to move the flywheel incase there are any bad teeth on the flywheel but starter continues to make a wizzing noise. I am stumped and looking for suggestions.

 

This may sound stupid but when they checked to starter at the a/p store did the bendix push the starter gear ALL the way out?

Also I doubt this could even happen but what are the odds the ring gear could be slipping on the flywheel? If so when everything cools the ring gear might contract and "bite" again.

 

That was my first thought too, the bendix. The forks that go over the starter gear to push it into the engine could have slipped off. Put white out on the top, bottom, and sides of the starter so you can re-align everything back up and pull the long bolts out of the end of the starter and check it out. You can take jumper cables and check to se if the bendix is pushing out. When you put it back together put some white lithium grease on the bearing ends of the starter. Good Luck. Starters are fairly simple to re build so give it a shot.

 

Turned out that the start was gummed up inside. After a $10 cleaning the starter looks and acks like its brand new.

 

sure glad you got your problem figured out.

sticky bendix are a fairly common problem. very_seldom do ring gears slip. most of the time when they go, starter jammed on. destroying ring gear and starter.