Starter Replacement

[rowekmr]

Trying to get the truck ready for the winter I noticed I was getting the tell tale turn the key several times to start my 2011 Ram 2500 so dropped it off at my local Dodge. I got a call later and the service writer asked me to sit down and that starter was 1400 retail!!! I got an account there so it dropped to about 1,000 but I couldn't believe that price. I marinated on that for 15 minutes and told him to hold off. I called another dealership to just check to see if they were lying to me and he also asked me to sit down. I check local parts places and they only had cheap rebuilds which I know down stand up to the test of time I was looking for quality brand aftermarket. I did a quick search on Amazon and they had Denso starters for my year but I couldn't see part numbers to double check. I have read that sometimes the parts matcher on there and Ebay is incorrect so I went on Denso website to double check and their parts locator said there were no starters available for my year. I called Denso customer service and they don't have a year or VIN look up he said he needed the part's number off of the actual starter. I asked him if they are the original supplier why don't they clearly sell what they make. He said that sometimes their is a agreement from the Big 3 that doesn't allow them to sell what they make for them.

I did some internet searching and found 1 thread that had a link to a place that sells Cummins starters. He said they definitely have my OEM replacement for 500. He also repeats that Dodge/Cummins have agreements with the manufacturer of their parts. He said these newer starters are not rebuildable and that is probably another condition of those "aggreements"

Anyone heard of this or had to replace a starter? What are the other options?

Thanks

 

[DBrooks]

Find a local shop that rebuilds starters instead of trusting one of the "spray and pray" remains from most parts stores. The last one I had to rebuild was on my 2005 5.9. For under $200 they rebuilt it and it came with a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty.

 

[TCDiesel]

I always find a way to rebuild Starters. But I find it odd that yours is failing. I know there's Members that feel the same as Me, hopefully one more skill then Me will chime in.

 

[CRodi]

Try calling these guys. I've always had good luck with their products.

http://www.fostertruck.com/2007-2010-dodge-oem-denso-new-starter.html

 

[SnoKing]

Lets see, they replace the starter and charge you 1K+, they the following day or week they tell you that your batteries are weak and failing, and want $400 to replace them, at which point even the new starter is now working correctly.

 

[TCDiesel]

Lets see, they replace the starter and charge you 1K+, they the following day or week they tell you that your batteries are weak and failing, and want $400 to replace them, at which point even the new starter is now working correctly.

I think he said $1,400.00 for the Starter and He has Commercial account to drop that to $1000.00 I don't read anything about Batteries

 

[seafish]

I think he said $1,400.00 for the Starter and He has Commercial account to drop that to $1000.00 I don't read anything about Batteries

What SnoKing means is that likely the dealer didn't even check battery condition before selling the OP on the need for a $1000 starter. Like you yourself said, while possible, it is also unlikely that a starter failed after only 5 years.

Obviously the OP needs to start (pun intended) with t he basics before dropping a grand on his truck that may or nay not fix the problem.

 

[TCDiesel]

What SnoKing means is that likely the dealer didn't even check battery condition before selling the OP on the need for a $1000 starter. Like you yourself said, while possible, it is also unlikely that a starter failed after only 5 years.

Obviously the OP needs to start (pun intended) with t he basics before dropping a grand on his truck that may or nay not fix the problem.

Ok I see Now.

 

[BLNRAY]

Powermaster starters 245 from summit racing brand new,just installed one on my 03,starts quicker,spins over faster than oem.

 

[K5IP]

Often the click twice, or more indicates a relay or starter solenoid problem, or even batteries/cable problems, not the starter, especially with a fairly new truck like yours.
Please have someone verify the point of error with a few simple voltage checks and confirm the problem. Measure first, then act.

 

[rowekmr]

Sorry maybe didn’t give enough info. Batteries were tested previous stay at dealership.

This is only my second starter to go out since I’ve been driving. The last one (Excursion) no clicking so I crawled underneath and tapped it a few times with a heavy wrench and it started right up. When it was removed the terminal was loose in its mount and we saw it was a cheapo reman. I replaced it with OEM Ford.

On this Ram it would take more times to turn before it engaged. No clicking just silence. The day I was going to drive it in it never engaged so I crawled underneath and tapped the starter with a hammer a few times and it started right up next try.

 

[rowekmr]

Powermaster starters 245 from summit racing brand new,just installed one on my 03,starts quicker,spins over faster than oem.

Thanks I just did a search for my truck and found they offer one for my year at $294. Looks like that would have been a good alternative.

 

[rowekmr]

What SnoKing means is that likely the dealer didn't even check battery condition before selling the OP on the need for a $1000 starter. Like you yourself said, while possible, it is also unlikely that a starter failed after only 5 years.

Obviously the OP needs to start (pun intended) with t he basics before dropping a grand on his truck that may or nay not fix the problem.

I believe the tech might have thought the same thing that the starter wasn't going out that it might just be me but I did count the number of key turns it took before the starter would engage and it varied from 2 to 26 definitely something was wrong. I kept driving it until it didn't start and myself ruled out any other electrical issues except the starter but the dealership did their own diagnosis. At this point I put faith into it was the starter but time will tell.
I appreciate you calling it a newer truck but the trans was bad and so was the turbo actuator (replaced both) so can't be too improbable the starter went bad also especially with 210K miles. If I can get another 7 years and 210K miles out of this one I would think that was money well spent lol

 

[TCDiesel]

WOW, I did not realize how rare parts are for this starter.....I am going to be searching for kit just to have on hand.. If I was going reman Bosch SR6470X. or Denso, ACDELCO.

 

[Newsa]

Trying to get the truck ready for the winter I noticed I was getting the tell tale turn the key several times to start my 2011 Ram 2500 so dropped it off at my local Dodge. I got a call later and the service writer asked me to sit down and that starter was 1400 retail!!! I got an account there so it dropped to about 1,000 but I couldn't believe that price. I marinated on that for 15 minutes and told him to hold off. I called another dealership to just check to see if they were lying to me and he also asked me to sit down. I check local parts places and they only had cheap rebuilds which I know down stand up to the test of time I was looking for quality brand aftermarket. I did a quick search on Amazon and they had Denso starters for my year but I couldn't see part numbers to double check. I have read that sometimes the parts matcher on there and Ebay is incorrect so I went on Denso website to double check and their parts locator said there were no starters available for my year. I called Denso customer service and they don't have a year or VIN look up he said he needed the part's number off of the actual starter. I asked him if they are the original supplier why don't they clearly sell what they make. He said that sometimes their is a agreement from the Big 3 that doesn't allow them to sell what they make for them.

I did some internet searching and found 1 thread that had a link to a place that sells Cummins starters. He said they definitely have my OEM replacement for 500. He also repeats that Dodge/Cummins have agreements with the manufacturer of their parts. He said these newer starters are not rebuildable and that is probably another condition of those "aggreements"

Anyone heard of this or had to replace a starter? What are the other options?

Thanks

$1400 sounds like just a few hundred short of what I would expect to be charged for replacing my g56.
^
Edit: I retract this because I was searching the cost of a DPF and G56 and getting the costs confused from what i saw a few months ago.

Looked under my truck today and noticed the starter with solenoid on it doesn't appear to be gold plated. It didn't even look any bigger than many other starter motors I've replaced. Also doesn't appear difficult to reach.

Doubt it would be more than an hour of charged labor?????

 

[EDankievitch]

Most of the time the starter is not the issue but the Starter relay contacts. Check on Geno's for the repair kit.

 

[rowekmr]

$1400 sounds like just a few hundred short of what I would expect to be charged for replacing my g56.
^
Edit: I retract this because I was searching the cost of a DPF and G56 and getting the costs confused from what i saw a few months ago.

Looked under my truck today and noticed the starter with solenoid on it doesn't appear to be gold plated. It didn't even look any bigger than many other starter motors I've replaced. Also doesn't appear difficult to reach.

Doubt it would be more than an hour of charged labor?????

Yeah the labor is only a hour at the shop. I don't doubt it isn't anything fancy (gold plated lol) but the reality is that they are 1400 from Dodge and I was looking for a quality, cheaper alternative. I didn't find any quality reman (Bosch or AC/Delco) nor any new replacements besides the powermaster that someone mentioned (whose factory is local to me). For something as important as starting I don't cut corners I live in Chicago and wouldn't want to be stuck anywhere I hadn't planned on staying so I was at least going OEM new or better lol

 

[Killgore]

This is a $20 fix from Geno's ($30 if you get the CD). That starter is not prone to failure but rather the solenoid. Forgive me if I'm wrong but I just went through this three months ago while camping in Montgomery; same symptoms, same aggravation. The solenoid is a breeze to rebuild. The real pain is removing the starter and putting it back in.

I called Geno's and they shipped me a rebuild kit that I received the next day. My wife and I put the truck on jack-stands, pulled the starter, rebuilt the solenoid, stuck it back in the truck, all right there in the campground. All is well and we saved a fortune.

- Ed

 

[TCDiesel]

Good to know Geno's has the New Kit....It would be extremely rare to destroy the Gear drive, I would give the Geno's Kit a shot before condemning the gear drive.

 

[JR]

This is a $20 fix from Geno's ($30 if you get the CD). - Ed

Unless they've updated their catalog they don't carry rebuild kits for the 4th gens.