New or Rebuilt Starter on '96

[Archive]

A friend has a '96 Dodge Ram 3500 Diesel.
The starter is acting up. It runs slow sometimes and fast sometimes.
It hung up several times.

Should, could, he get the starter rebuilt?

The dealer says about $500 for a new starter.
Is there an better, cheaper starter to be had?

Ben

Two more days before I get the new truck, but WHOs counting????

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2000 3500 Quad Cab, SLT+, LSD, 4x2 Auto, 3. 54, Camper Option, Trailer Option, Sports Option, Sliding Read Window, BLACK.

 

[Archive]

Try before spending $500 bucks... .
These starters are made by Nippondenso,and the only thing that generally goes bad is the starter contacts. After removing the starter,take off the rear plate for the solenoid(shaped like home plate). You'll
see the two bronze contacts inside,clean them out and you'll see how worn they are. If they are worn out,the only place to get replacements is a Toyota dealership. Take the starter with you to show them because there are 2-3 different kinds. They run about $6-$10 bucks a pr. I work at a Honda dealer,and I can get the contacts,but I haven't yet taken a DC/Nippondenso starter apart to see which ones it needs. I think I will soon,so I can make up a few kits available in the future for the TDR guys.

-Mike

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99 QC2500 4x4 5spd, LWB,LSD,3. 54,Amethyst,
SLT,Fogs,Camper,Trailer,
Slider,Smittybilt bars, 6-disc Clarion changer.

"RATTLE & HUM"

 

[Archive]

MikeR,

Thanks for the information.

I wonder if Cummins has a starter for the engine. And at what kind of price?

Why does Toyota carry the brushes?
Seems like a starter weighs more than most Toyotas.

Ben

One day and counting. ( well the day is MOSTLY over)


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2000 3500 Quad Cab, SLT+, LSD, 4x2 Auto, 3. 54, Camper Option, Trailer Option, Sports Option, Sliding Read Window, BLACK.

 

[Archive]

In TDR issue #25 (summer 99) on page 18 there is an article on the solenoid repair. I'll quote one relevant section here:

"Off we go in Roger's 3500... to find Keith Swearingen's Diesel Electric Service Company, at 917 North Pinal Avenue, Casa Grande, AZ (520-836-8231). Keith is a friendly, knowledgable type that knows everything about heavy-duty diesel electrical systems. I show him my problem. He goes to his microfiche and quickly asks, "Do you want just the fixed contact for $5, or the complete repair kit with new movable contacts, spring, both fixed contacts, insulators and all for $25?" I can't believe my good fortune! "I'll take the complete repair kit," I stammer, quickly comparing $25 to $350 (part #19907, $24. 38 plus tax and shipping). Keith says that he ships parts all over the US by United Parcel Service. His shop takes Visa/MC too!

Keith goes on to share a tip with me. "Make sure that when you reinstall the fixed contacts, you let both of them bottom out against the housing insulator so they will be perfectly level before you tighten up the mounting bolt studs in the elongated slots. This will prevent one side of the contact hitting the movable contact and not the entire surface. If you don't, one side or edge won't be able to carry the current required to crank the engine and will burn prematurely. " That makes sense, I conclude. I pay my $25 and head back to fix the truck. "

This was for a '94 but I'm pretty sure it's the same starter. The parts guy listed up above would know I'm sure. He also mentioned in this article that a new starter was $670 and that you could get a reman for $350 exchange (according to a Dodge parts guy). Good luck, hope this helps!

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-Steve St. Laurent
'98 Quad Cab Long Bed (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, Prime-loc remote fuel filter,
boost & pyro gauges, TST Powermax, Permatech spray in liner, Grizzly stainless nerf bars,
BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's
http://my. voyager.net/stevest

 

[Archive]

I was having trouble with the starter solenoid not releasing after the engine had started on a 94. I ordered the solenoid rebuild kit from Keith (see Steve`s post above). It was EASY to install and It cured the problem. One of the contacts apparently was not positioned flat from the factory and was burned almost away. I would give this a try before getting a rebuilt/new starter..... #ad


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1994 Dodge Ram SLT Cummins 5 speed 4x4,3. 54 gears, Scotty Air System,PIAA Platnum Super Whites,Optima red top batteries,Turbo&Exhaust blanket,Magnaguard rear diff cover,Edelbrock IAS shocks,muffler removed,Borgeson steering shaft,Trailmaster steering stabilizers,Rancho upper & lower links,Polyurethane sway bar bushings,Skyjacker 2" leveling springs(front),Fabritech Stage II Traction Bars,Denman Coyote A/P LT305/85R16(36" Tall) tires on Stock Dodge Chrome 16x6. 5 wheels,Bushwacker Street Flares,Back-off saftey brake light,Bugflector II bug shield, Royal Purple ,Amsoil& Red line lubes throughout.

1970 Plymouth Cuda (under construction)
1968 Hurst HEMI® Dart , Nah its just a screen name ;-)




[This message has been edited by 1968 Hurst HEMI Dart (edited 10-20-1999). ]

 

[Archive]

Hey,sounds like Diesel Electric is way ahead of me. So much for my new found million- dollar enterprise!*LOL*

Bmann,the reason Toyota(and very few Honda dealers)would have it,is because the solenoid part of these gear reduction Nippondenso starters are all the same.
No other kinds of dealers care to repair this simple fix,instead they want the big $$
and sell you a new one.

-Mike

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99 QC2500 4x4 5spd, LWB,LSD,3. 54,Amethyst,
SLT,Fogs,Camper,Trailer,
Slider,Smittybilt bars, 6-disc Clarion changer.

"RATTLE & HUM"

 

[Archive]

Mike, Before I read in the TDR that Keith had a rebuild kit available, I must have checked 10 different auto parts stores for just a new solenoid for my starter. They all said, "Its not available seperately, you must buy the complete starter". Keith is a life saver #ad


[This message has been edited by 1968 Hurst HEMI Dart (edited 10-20-1999). ]

 

[Archive]

Husrt Hemi,
I know what you mean about the auto parts stores. I worked/managed for a big parts chain for 5years,and while I worked with nice people,85% are dumb,don't know,don't care. I'm not saying all are like that. But I'm sticking with dealerships now. I would love to get out of Honda parts and into Dodge. I can help more in a product I believe in. If I'm really bored at work tonite,maybe I'll look at that solenoid.

-Mike

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99 QC2500 4x4 5spd, LWB,LSD,3. 54,Amethyst,
SLT,Fogs,Camper,Trailer,
Slider,Smittybilt bars, 6-disc Clarion changer.

"RATTLE & HUM"