For a few weeks now i ould go to start the truck and it wouldnt even crank. then i hit it again and it would start right up. or it would chug along untill it fired. anyways. i went out today to start it and same thing happens.. hit it once. nothing. hit it twice really slow cranking but not fast enough to start it. so i let off the key and its still cranking.. so then i take the key out of the ignition.. and still it cranks. ok this is where i got freaked out. so i popped the hood and pulled the batt calbes to get it to stop. has anyone ever heard of this?

 

probably a bad solenoid

 

yup your starter, seloniod is on its way out, will leave you stranded somtime soon

 

Look for a solenoid contact kit. There are 3 pieces in the solenoid that wear out/stick. You can get an upgraded heavy dity kit, or standard duty kit. I've seen a bunch of them on e-bay, or your local parts store may be able to get them.

 

yea but how could it still get power after i pull the key out and still crank the engine?

 

The contacts stuck. The starter has power all the time. The solenoid wire is what tells the contacts to "pull in" and give the starter the juice. When they stick, you can take the solenoid wire out of the picture.

 

Bad contact between the points and the high current draw caused them to weld together.

 

sounds like im going to be dropping the starter and fixin that solenoid soon. http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm has explained alot for me and diecent price for the kit. thanks again !