Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Vaughn MacKenzie
TDR MEMBER
The starter on my 98 24-Valve had been cranking over more slowly the past couple of years than in the past. My battery cables are looking the worse for wear and I was planning on replacing them. I did also just replace the battery, which did not help at all, but the old one was dying anyway.
Then the other morning it would not start, only a light clicking sound came from the starter. Figuring the contacts had suddenly failed I ordered the Larry B's kit from Geno's. But come to find out the Larry B's I had previously put in there in 2013 (150K miles ago) were still looking pretty decent.
I took the starter to a local alternator/motor shop and he ascertained the starter motor itself was pretty much done. He recommended buying a new starter. He told me it was actually brand new, not what you get from your typical Auto Zone or O'Reilly's. I paid $239 at the family owned small business.
Before I put the starter in, I popped the solenoid cover to install the new Larry B contacts, but was surprised it came with heavy duty contacts already. I popped the cover back on and installed it. I was amazed how quickly and energetically it spun the Cummins over! And not only that, far quieter! So much so it sounds like the same starter that is found in current model Ram trucks.
The starter shows Model 17548N. If you google that number, the starters are often cheaper, but they also look rebuilt/refurb. If you have starter failure and Larry B contacts don't really do the trick, I strongly recommend a brand new unit.
Then the other morning it would not start, only a light clicking sound came from the starter. Figuring the contacts had suddenly failed I ordered the Larry B's kit from Geno's. But come to find out the Larry B's I had previously put in there in 2013 (150K miles ago) were still looking pretty decent.
I took the starter to a local alternator/motor shop and he ascertained the starter motor itself was pretty much done. He recommended buying a new starter. He told me it was actually brand new, not what you get from your typical Auto Zone or O'Reilly's. I paid $239 at the family owned small business.
Before I put the starter in, I popped the solenoid cover to install the new Larry B contacts, but was surprised it came with heavy duty contacts already. I popped the cover back on and installed it. I was amazed how quickly and energetically it spun the Cummins over! And not only that, far quieter! So much so it sounds like the same starter that is found in current model Ram trucks.
The starter shows Model 17548N. If you google that number, the starters are often cheaper, but they also look rebuilt/refurb. If you have starter failure and Larry B contacts don't really do the trick, I strongly recommend a brand new unit.
