Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) New Starter or Can I fix it??

[IndyBoy]

My starter circuit fuse in the engine fuse bay started to blow ever few months last fall. I'd been replacing it with 25 amp fuses. This last week it blew so I replaced it. As soon as I turned the key to start, it blew again. I tried one more time with the same result.



I hotwired the connection by tapping the starter engagement wire to the battery positive terminal but that even didn’t work until I tapped, gently, on the starter with a T post I had near by.



I always see those ads about fixing the terminal on our starter to resolve fuse blowing issues. Do you think that will work for me? Even though I had to tap it?



Or do I need to replace the starter?



Thanks,



Derek

 

[GCroyle]

Derek,



I'm not the electrical expert here, no way.



I do know that is is easy to pull this starter, remove the solenoid housing cap and look at the condition of the plunger and its contacts. If they are worn down, pitted Geno's has starter repair terminals, easy to fix. Might save you some big bucks.



Key point, it's easy to see if this is part of your problem.



It ain't time to get creative on putting bigger fuses in there, this ain't powered by the Prince of Darkness wiring company. Some of you have seen the wiring fix jokes for a certain British electrical supplier for old days.

 

[hsmith]

Get a solenoid rebuild kit. Starter will last a looooong time with a little maintenance.

 

[WestTN]

It is NEVER a good idea to bypass a fuse. They are there for a very good reason. Any time you start blowing fuses in a particular circuit, you need to troubleshoot that circuit or get someone who is qualified to check it. All you can accomplish by bypassing a fuse is causing a major problems from a relatively small one by melting an elecrical harness or destroying some electrical component.



In this case it it apparent that the solenoid contacts are bad as indicated in a previos post.

 

[wcjp]

LarryB's contacts are very easy to install.







LarryB's Dodge starting problems solved here.

 

[rweis]

I had 93k, starter sometime would, sometime would not. Larry B's kit. Works like a charm now, EVERY time.



Bob Weis

 

[IndyBoy]

one of the contacts was very bad, almost worn through. starter works great now.



Thanks.

 

[AABEN]

You can get the parts at Dodge Cummins Diesel Truck Accessories - Geno's Garage rebild kit 35. 00

 

[GCroyle]

IndyBoy,



Glad you got it fixed and a group thanks from the relpliers who tried to armchair this with you.



I wish more of the questioners would give us the results, good or bad. It helps all of us learn and see if we had any good ideas.