Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Starter Contacts ?

[hclark]

I have a 97 2500 with 125,000 miles. Batteries are new, occasionally when I go to start, the key turns and nothing

happens. I have checked the batteries for a bad cell. . Could

starter contacts be a possiblility? I read some posts in the past

about starter contacts. As a second option, do the cables fail?

I have cleaned the posts and the cables.

Thanks

hclark

 

[illflem]

At 120k you should replace the contacts to prevent trouble down the road anyways, LarryBs heavy duty ones are the best. Sometimes battery cables (and the smaller ones) corrode deep down inside the insulation and can be hard to trace down. If you try bending them around you can sometimes feel the bad spot or cause the short to be permanent rather than intermittent.

 

[Dennis Garrett]

My contacts lasted to about 160k, then did the same as yours. The starter is easy to pull off, and to take apart. Sure enough when I opened it up, one contact was worn almost all the way. I went to an auto electric shop in town, and bought two new ones for $4. 00 ea. I cleaned up the starter with air, Looked at the brushes, (they were still good), cleaned up the comutator wiht sand paper, put a small amount of grease on the gears in the reduction unit, and cleaned up the copper disc on the plunger. Works like new. The thing I thought was interesting was that this starter doesn't have those cheap little bronze bushings on each end of the motor, it has a ball bearing on each end! The guy at Auto Electric told me this is an excellent starter design, and this is about all that goes wrong with them. Brushes usually last longer than two contact replacements.

 

[Todd T]

you can get new contacts here for $2. 25 ea.



Diesel Electric Inc.

314 389 8685 ask for Galin.



part number

ACES5292 (contacts)



you can also get a new plunger for $5. 46 from them.

part number

NDE0536600443 (plunger)



if they wont agree to the prices or over charge you for shipping, let me know. i will pick them up and send them to you myself. it usually cost around $2-2. 50 to ship USPS.

 

[hclark]

Contacts

Thanks, I already purchased the contacts, downtown seattle

4 bucks for a pair. The gentleman at the counter said I should file down the plunger when I get in there ( I guess I will see when I get into it). Thanks for the heads up on the cables as well, I will change the contacts and check the cables. Every thing else has been fine looking for another 100,000 miles.

Thanks again for the good advise.

HC