Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Battery Problems? hard to start

[Dkevdog]

Several times today (lots of short trips around town), the truck wouldn't start up. Turning it over and nothing but the relay click. Back off the key, try again, nothing. Try again, fire right up. At first I thought the batteries are going south, but now I don't know. The batteries are Interstate biggest I could get, and 3 years old.



I'm sure I'm missing something obvious, but anything I should check before looking into the batteries?



Kev

 

[Dennis Garrett]

At about 150k or so, you starter contacts are worn out. Usually one wears down paper thin, and the other looks OK. Take the starter off, the two big copper threaded posts are the contacts. You can drive over to your local auto electric shop, and get you a new pair for about 8 bucks. Put them in, clean the starter up, take the glaze off the commutator, put it together, & go another 150k. It's a long life starter, it has ball bearings on the ends instead of a cheap bushing, but the contacts wear out. You can do it yourself, easy to take off, easy to get apart. Your copper plunger disc is probably OK, just clean it up with steel wool or sand paper.

 

[Steve Roseman]

Kev, definitely sounds like your starter contacts. Much cheaper than batteries .

 

[Dkevdog]

I only have 60K on the truck, but I guess I'll be putting that starter in sooner than I thought. I picked up a new Mitsibishi starter from a friend, the price was too good not to. I took a peek at the starter location and that third bolt doesn't appear too easy to get a hold of. Any tips??



Kev

 

[M Barnett]

The top bolt isn't too hard to do, it takes a #10, 12 point wrench. The bolts are tight. Don't forget to unhook the batteries first.

Michael

 

[illflem]

Another member suggested using a small hydraulic jack on the wrench to crack the bolts loose. Seems like a good idea.

 

[stick]

Kev:

I just got a new set of contacts and plunger from Larry B's http://fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm

The contacts are about twice the size as stock contacts, and very easy to install.



Stick