Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Starter problems-any ideas?

[Breed]

I have put three NAPA starters in my truck in the past several months, they keep going out. The engine just will not crank. The batteries are brand new and test great! All the connections are clean, but after several weeks with a new starter, I'll hit the key and "click". I have put the new starter contacts from Larry B's, but that doesn't help. So far, NAPA has been real good about giving me brand NEW starters but three in six months? it's a PIA to put the top bold in the starter but I have it down to a science now. Anyone have any ideas? I was thinking I might go to a slealer and buy a DODGE starter.
Thanks.....

 

[hsmith]

You can get a OE from Lary B that already has the large contacts.



Some of the aftermarket products come from way overseas. One country has just hosted the Olympics!!

 

[Breed]

Thanks, I just ordered a new OE from Larry B's with the large contacts should be in on Thursday and I am returning this piece of crap to NAPA.

 

[Dave M]

I agree... Larry B's is a good starter to use. I have a NAPA starter that I had to put in about 2 years ago and it is still OK after just putting Larry B's contacts in.



I had a problem a month ago with it cranking 3-5 sec before starting after just replacing the starter contacts will Larry B's. I also had just replaced both batteries that went dead. The contacts and starter change helped but did not fix the problem so I changed out the fuel filter and it fixed it... kinda surprised me but I though it was worth a try... . and it fixed it. The bad fuel filter was less than a year old.



In my case it could have been a combination of problems because the old contacts were worn 1/2 way and the batteries were giving me a hard start problem for a few weeks until they both died (they were NAPA sixpack Orbital batteries 4 years old). The contacts helped but it would still hesitate 3 or 4 seconds untill I I replaced the fuel filter... go figure.



Dave

 

[fest3er]

To chime in here, the starters on these engines rarely fail. What usually wears out soonest are the relay contacts. I think I was at 8 years and 200K miles on the original starter when it started acting up. I might've gotten such long life from it because my engine only needs about 1/3 sec. crank to start in warmer temps; sometimes the engine 'rumbles' a bit before it starts itself.

Remembering Larry B's kits in TDR, I ordered one. Installation was fairly uneventful. The hardest part was removing the starter. I think I had to use a 10mm 12pt box wrench with extension to loosen the bolts. One bolt is a bear to get to. Starter's been running great ever since.

 

[Missouri Mule]

My starter started to act up recently so I pulled the cables off the batteries and starter. Decided to go after top bolt first the dang bolt was loose tighten it back up and was in business again. ( Mule has over 200,000, still oringinal starter. I have replaced one contact many years ago and had a little work done on the starter about five years ago. )

 

[Breed]

Thanks Guys, the guy at Larry B's stated that they had sold starters made in China, like NAPA, with terrible results so they now use the OE DENSO with larger contacts for $316. 00, where I paid $246. 00 at NAPA for a starter that never worked over six months (3) starters. I called Carson City Dodge and they wanted $720. 00 for the same OE DENSO starter which they didn't have in stock. Larry B's stated they have never had a bad DENSO starter. I don't know if thats true or not, but Larry B's has been around a while.

 

[BSander]

DENSO makes great starters. Even Chrysler gave up on their starters and started using DENSO in the late '80s. All my chrysler products and Subarus have DENSO starters. The weak point on these starters is the contacts in the solinoid. This problem is the only problem I have ever had with DENSO starters, and it only happens over about 200,000 miles. I am amazed at how small the DENSO starter is on the CTD. It takes a LOT of torque to turn these suckers over, but that little DENSO starter whips it over in no time, every time. I am quite impressed.

 

[Breed]

Hey BSander, I have to agree with you, got the new DEBSO from Larry B's works fine. I had three NAPA starters with really bad results. Thanks for your input.

 

[Breed]

Every once in a while I was still getting the dreaded "Click" when I hit the starter, I contacted Larry B's and I put on one of his Starter relays and it corrected the problem. If you have any starter problems with your CTD Larry B's is the guy to speak to. He is really reasonable in price and his customer service is excellent.