Archived '03 won't turn over

[MickeyMiller]

My '03 Ram 2500 has blown the #14 30amp starter fuse. I beleive this fuse just protects the starter relay. I swaped out the starter relay and it still blows the #14 fuse.



Where should I look?



TIA!

 

[B.G. Smith]

Don't have schematic on 03 but on 99 the fuse for starter relay was #2, also 30 amp and it protects the relay output. Blowing that fuse would indicate high load at the starter solenoid. bg

 

[MickeyMiller]

B. G. Smith,

I'm looking at the diagram right now... I've inspected the wires to the starter, no obvious problem.



Maybe internal to the starter? Had absolutly no indication of a pending problem.



THX

 

[B.G. Smith]

The starter solenoid is just another relay(heavier) that closes a heavy set of contacts to run the starter. The starter relay in the PDC only activates the starter solenoid. Sounds like the solenoid may be bad. Do you get a click or anything when you hit the start circuit? bg

 

[MickeyMiller]

I hear a click from the right side of the dash when I turn the key but assume that is some relay unrelated to the starting circuit. The light duty starter relay in the fuse box must trigger a real solinoid down on the starter. I am pretty sure that solinoid or the starter contacts are the source of my problem. Starter comes out as soon as the rain lets up... (I really have to clean out that d*** garage!).

 

[Paul Herioux]

If there is no chafed wiring going down to the starter a new starter will fix this one. Just pulled the wiring diagram up on DealerConnect and the only thing fuse 14 feeds is the starter solenoid through the starter relay contacts. Power for the starter relay coil comes directly from the ignition switch. I know your pain of the no garage. I haven't had one since I moved almost two years ago. The boss kind of frowns on employees using the shop for anything much more than oil changes.

 

[MickeyMiller]

THX everyone... I'm convinced it's the starter as well. 10mm 12 point in hand. Pulling it as soon as the sun comes up. I'll post here what I find when I get it out.

 

[MickeyMiller]

Got the three 10mm bolts out

 

[MickeyMiller]

Got the three 10mm bolts out, wiggled the starter free of the bell house, got the power cable unbolted, but can't get the 'quick connect' for the small wire free! Shop manual doesn't show a QC... it shows a small nut. Wish I had the small nut...



Is there a trick to these 'quick connects'? There is a serrated tab on one side that I 'think' is the lock for the connector. Tried moving with a small screw driver... no luck.



Waiting for the rain to let up, then give it another try.

 

[Paul Herioux]

Yes, that serrated red tab is the lock for the connector. They do tend to get seized into place when dirt and grime builds up behind them. If you have compressed air available get an air nozzle right up behind the tab and try to blow all the grit out. The red portion should slide up away from the connector body then you will be able to depress the release tab and disconnect the connector.

 

[MickeyMiller]

Paul,

Thank you for the tip, compressed air would have been a good idea. I did finally manage to get it off by flushing the tab out with penetrating oil. That connector was giving me fits!



Just dropped the starter off at the local auto-electric shop... hope to get it back this afternoon.

 

[MickeyMiller]

FYI... it turned out to be the solinoid contacts. They were the only thing showing any wear... everything else look new!



BTW. . went back together in 10 minutes, no problem with the **** quick connect when putting it back together!