Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Starter dilemma

[sleon]

Starter went out in a bad place three weeks ago. I called a friend to bring a new one but being on Sunday all he could find was rebuilt at Kragens. It lasted two weeks and started to have intermittent problems. Sometimes it would work fine,other times I would have to crawl under the truck and turn the crank a little. Worked every time I did that. Checked the flywheel for missing teeth and it was perfect. Got another starter,worked one day,back under the truck. Not as often, Yet. Any ideas except stay away from Kragens? 94 3500 275,000 RUNS GREAT

 

[RJPotts]

Did you test the starters that "went bad"?

Considering it isn't the starters that you're getting, I would check your terminals and cables. Get a meter and go from the battery pos. to starter pos. and check for source voltage, across s-terminal, etc...

Maybe you're lucky and the starters themselves are just junk, but I would doubt it.

-R. J.

 

[BTaintor]

My '97 had the intermittent thing going on. It would work fine one time, then it would click and do nothing. After a couple of tries it would fire fine. I got Larry B's contact kit and threw it in today and now the starter is fine. One contact was chewed up to no end. Funny thing is I got my TDR magazine yesterday and there is a write up on Larry's kit towards the back. You might try it, it's a lot cheaper than a new starter and adds about 10 mins. to the starter swap.

 

[sleon]

Thanks for the sugestions Guys. Original starter went225,000. Then Larry B's Kit lasted another 45,000. Then went dead. After I changed starters is when trouble began. Each and every time I turned the crank w/wrench it would start. that should eliminate cable problems. Since Ifirst posted this, the truck has started every time. Istill want to know what could have caused the problem.