I just went to start my truck and nothing. Batterys are good, found the fuse for the start solenoid under the hood blown. I replaced it and it blew again. Does this mean the starter is out or is there something else that would cause this. thanks.

 

Theres a TSB for a jummper harness with a fuse and relay that we used to install on those trucks. You can go to a dealer and ask a parts guys he should be able to sell you what you need and its easy to install. If this TSB has already be done then maybe a starter issue.

 

mine use to do the same until i replaced the starter but first check all the grounds

 

It could be either the starter or ??? , the circut is drawing too much current .
Go to one of the do it yourself auto parts stores that do the free testing , and have the starter load tested , if over spec. than it could be something simple like the conntacts in the solinoid , then get the larger conntacts from one of the suppliers , if the test is within spec. then it could be a bad connection [ grounds or battery ] when you have a bad connection and try to pull a lot of current through it , it will get hot , put your hand on a bad battery connection after its used , it will warm to hot - all of these can blow a fuse.

 

There has not been a TSB installed. All of the wiring looks ok. So if I install a TSB does that mean the starter is ok or could it be that I should do both.

 

That suggestion would work good John but I am 30 miles from town and the truck wont start. Has anyone ever pull started one of these? Well that was dumb- take off the starter. I guess I was hoping for a quick fix because I need to haul a trailer to town to pick up some materials.

 

Im not saying that this is your particular problem ive just seen alot of starters replace for nothing. and its an expensive part to throw. I just remeber doing that tsb alot. Removin the starter is easy i use a 10mm gear wrench remove the 3 bolts and prepare to smash your finger a couple times because it isnt light .

 

Check your starter solenoid contacts! It is a cheap fix and causes exactly what you are describing. A local shop replaced teh contacts in mine for $35. You have to pull the starter to replace them.

 

If you decide you don't like the R & R on the starter you might want to replace the brushes while you have it off. At least check them while it is out. I didn't and now I wonder what shape the brushes are in even though
it is giving no problems for now. ( R C )

 

You might try just swapping out the starter relay. Mine did the exact same thing last week. Swapped with the trailer tow relay and so far it's working. New relay is about $10.00 from dealer.

 

Well thanks for all the help. I went ahead and just replaced the starter. But I am going to take the old one down and have it checked. I may be able to keep as a spare. I did swap out relays before I changed it and it didnt help.

 

Well my truck wouldnt start and was blowing the starting fuse and so I put a new fuse in (25amp) and did the same thing. So after reading this I pulled the starter off and took it to a local guy and he tore it apart and it was the solinoid contacts . 10 min and $20 bucks later I was gone and so far fixed the prob.

Thanks guys

 

I have had his problem before. I use a 30 amp fuse in place of the 20amp. The pre-TSB actually says to replace the 20amp with a 25amp until the TSB is performed.
You can use a jumper cable and put 12 volts right to the starter solenoid. That will work in a pinch. I have also jumped the fuse completely to get it started.
You all have me thinking that I should pull the starter and replace the solenoid contacts now, just to save myself this problem in the future.

 

All man, one of them was totally shot. I didnt use these but I will next time. These are heavy duty. http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm

 

I'm having the same problem...what I found out was that the starter was locking up on contact which would usually happen if I had been running for a while, shut the truck off for a couple of minutes and try to start it back up. but I found that if I put it into gear BEFORE I try to start it (standard transmission) and let it roll a bit then pop the clutch to unlock the starter it would start with out blowing the fuse.......now I just need to get a little oily and pull the starter off and get it checked.

2000 Dodge 3500 Dually 6 inch lifter with K&N filter system