2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Dead Starter

[BFONS]

99 3500 Stock

Have To Turn The Key A Couple Of Times To Start. Then It Would Just Turn Over Sometimes But Would Not Start

Dealership Wants $700. 00 To Replace The Starter

Help! Can The Starter Be Repaired Easily?

 

[RHARVEY]

Give Larry a call and see what he can do for you...



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





Rick

 

[Missouri Mule]

Mine was having problems similar to yours turned out to be the batteries were worn out.

I did take the starter out first to have it tested it checked out fine. To take the starter off/on isn't to hard of job.

Had batteries load tested.

 

[BSmart]

I mistakenly left the canopy dome light on for a week in my 96 cummins/5 speed with 98,000 miles. As I drove to work each day, I unknowingly was keeping ahead of the discharged batteries, (the tinted canopy windows didn't help the situation. ) That was until I forgot my coffee on the way to work at 0530, stopped at McD's, shut if off at the drive up speaker, and tried to restart it with no luck. I lucked out and managed to push it out of the way. Called my buddy at work and after a jump start, I made it to work, after work a he again stood by to make sure it would fire off, after a couple clicks it did, then when I got home I charged the batteries all night figuring this would solve the problem. The next morning I heard the solenoid click and then it started the next try. When I got to work I searched this site and found that if you don't take care of the solenoid contacts and add a diode, you can have serious problems down the road at around 100k with the 94 to 98 1/2 trucks. I believe it can include(ie, burnt out fuel shutoff solenoid, which costs about $200 to replace, and possibly an engine fire if the starter hangs and can't be shut down) I ordered the parts, rolled the dice, and then drove the truck to work one more time. At 10 pm in the parking lot, it fired off after clicking a couple times and then the high pitched whine of a stuck on starter made me realize that driving it to work one more time was a mistake. I quickly turned the key off, to no avail as the fuel shut off solenoid was being fed from the stuck solenoid contacts. I knew I had to shut it down and quickly. Lucky for me the truck is a 5 speed so I put it into second, held the brake and let out the clutch, it wasn't pretty but it shut it down. I should have left it in the lot and fixed it later, but rolled the dice again and on the second try got it to fire off without the starter staying on. I now have the parts from http://fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm but haven't had the time to put them on. The dodge is in the driveway waiting for me. Total cost of parts from foster about $60. Their website states that most starters with the solenoid problem are still in good shape. Sorry for the long post, but hopefully I can save someone from the same situation I faced. Bob

 

[McCRam]

I was stuck and had to have my starter rebuilt while I was traveling. I was out 280 bucks. 700 is way high. It isn't that hard to replace. I think a new one was around 500.

 

[BFONS]

Got The Parts From Larry B. Yesterday, Repaired The Starter. Brunt Out Contacts. Not Hard To Change At All. Told The Guys At The Dealership That I Was Repairing The Starter For $40. 00 And They Said No Way. No Hard Feelings, They Understand. Thanks For All The Help You Guys.

 

[BMascal]

Here's one more accolade for fostertruck.com. I had the dreadful click of the solenoid this week on Monday. Had the parts delivered from fostertruck for the contacts and new plunger next day. You can request USPS Express Mail overnight which is cheaper than their originally quoted overnight charge. Express is $14. 40 anywhere in the country if it fits in a 8. 5"x11" envelope. Anyway, I'm somewhere below a novice on mechanical skills and based on the feedback here and the instructional pics on the fostertruck.com website I was able to get the starter out and replace the contacts. The moment of truth panned out when it fired up when I was finished. THANKS AGAIN TO ALL WHO HAVE POSTED HELP ON THE TDR FORUM. WHAT AN AWESOME WEBSITE!! Dodge dealer quoted me $575 for a new starter - couldn't buy just the contacts of course... . Labor would have been an extra couple hundred bucks most likely. You can bet I'll renew my TDR membership now. - Brian