My buddy has a 2000 ctd HO 6 speed, whats goin on is he is blowing his starter solenoid fuse continously, will not start, if we pull start it, it'll fire up, i have a 99 and i dont even have that fuse so?? He took it into the ******* and they cant find out whats wrong (go figure). They told him they took the starter off put a fuse in and turned the key and the starter engaged or turned over, but when they mounted it again and tried it blew the fuse, its a 20 amp fuse. Anyone had any kind of problems like this? I havent so can't help him to much except posting this and hopefully someone knows whats goin on. thanks

Capn

 

You might want to check to see how much current the typical Diesel Ram starter pulls for that year truck. A 20A fuse seems low. Starters pull a lot of current, I am betting more in the 30-40A range. Put a amp meter in series with the starter on your truck and see how much it pulls. The 1999 and 2000 year should be pretty close in specs. Better yet, call the dealership or a good Diesel shop and ask then how much current your starter should typically be pulling.

 

This is for an '05, so I'm not sure how relevant it is, but the wiring diagram shows a 30 amp fuse providing current to the starter solenoid through a relay. The relay is controlled by the start position of the ignition switch.

The starter itself draws hundreds of amps and is not fused.

 

Has he done the starter contact upgrade? I would probably start there myself.
http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm
mishkaya

 

I told him about the contacts, i've done them in mine, as for the fuse rating the fuse box cover says right on it 20a, and this just started all the sudden? No problems till the other day, only does it in cranking mode? Turn key on and we can pull start it? Havent heard from the dealer from yesterday am? thanks for the input..

 

I still think he probably has a short in the starter solenoid. I'm confident a new set of contacts and a plunger would fix that.
mishkaya