Recently over the last 3 weeks or so, randomly and rarely when I start the truck, there's a loud metalic type noise that can be heard from somewhere in the front half of the truck. The first time I heard it I opened the hood and it was impossible to tell where it was coming from, at first I thought maybe the alt was going bad but it has been charging fine. I also noticed that when I shut off the ignition that the starter continues to try to start the truck and I'll have to turn the key on once or twice to make it stop this. I've been do the dealer but they tell me that there's nothing they can do unless it does it while I have the truck there. As of the last couple of weeks, it's only done it maybe 3 times total. It doesn't sound like the bendix gear scraping on the flywheel ring, I'm thinking more that it's the gear staying enguaged one the engine starts.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

Pull the starter and take a look at it, check the gear on the starter and also I would replace the starter lugs with heavier ones.......cant remember where to get them but someone here will

 

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

 

the starter contacts that i bought were from larry b's (www.fostertruck.com).my starter had kind of a ''ratlle" when it was acting up. and, i also could not shut off the truck sometimes unless i stalled it with the clutch. also, right when i changed them, my starter would continue to run when i was driving(very hard to hear over the diesel). i just ended up throwing my new heavy duty contacts in to a brand new starter i picked up just so i wouldnt have to tear back into it when winter strain hits it (the starter was running for awhile-took a while to notice it). it may be something you may want to consider too.

 

Yep, sounds like your starter contacts are sticking because they are burned up. Happened to mine and fixed w/ the new contacts from fosters and a new plunger. Easy job to install as well. Happy wrenching -Jake

 

btw i also ordered the fuel line upgrade kit from them as well and did those while i was under there. i had roughly 100k at the time and its recommended because the factory hoses will eventually start to collapse internally while running and starve fuel.