Archived Starter solenoid puked....

[Headshot zod]

I checked my wires and connections. They are fine. Heater grid comes on as does everything else. Larry B's site says I need a 10mm socket and wrench to get the job done. Anything else I need to know? Thanks in advance.....

 

[bmoeller]

It requires a 12 point socket or wrench. 6pt won't work.



Pretty straight forward job. The bolts were tightened up by a gorrilla at Cummins. lol They are TIGHT. Couldn't pull straight on the top bolt with a ratchet, so I had to use 2 wrenches together.



When you pull the cover, and then the plunger, don't loose the little ball that is in there.



I bought mine from LarryB as wel, but later found out my local alt/starter rebuilder shop had the same kit for something like $15 less. It also had the bolts that the battery cable hooks to, and a few other things (don't recall that the plunger was in the kit). I twisted off that battery + bolt off, and that is how I found out. Just ask for contacts that would go in a 24v version of that starter.

 

[Headshot zod]

Thanks. Nobody has one until Monday, so I need to get this starter out tomorrow am clean it up, reinstall it and get the truck out of the driveway. The 24hr a day Cummins dealer near me is no longer open 24/7. Dodge has none in stock any place nearby, and I refuse to go to autozone. argh!!!!!!!

 

[Headshot zod]

what a nightmare... ... ... I can't get the bolt loose from the battery cable on top of the starter. 4 hours into removing this dang thing.

 

[bmoeller]

Any luck with the bolt? Try some PB Blaster?

 

[DieselLady]

what a nightmare... ... ... I can't get the bolt loose from the battery cable on top of the starter. 4 hours into removing this dang thing.

Well I just did the starter on a 2000 on Friday. While laying on the floor under the truck you can get to the top bolt of the starter with a socket and extension and a wratchet. I know this sounds wrong, but it really works better than trying to get to it from the top. If you undo the top bolt first then the bottom ones you can support the starter easier too. Loosen the battery cable on the starter prior to loosening the starter bolts. Good luck.

 

[Headshot zod]

The story continues... The bolt between the starter and the engine block was a pain to get out. It loosened easy but took over an hour to actually screw it out. Since nobody including the dealer has this part. I'm having my actual starter rebuilt. Nobody around here even has a rebuilt in stock. I hope I get it back in time to put it in before it gets dark. Luckily I can squeeze under my truck to get at this thing. As I have no floor jacks or jack stands near where it died. Now I just need to wait on the call. $159. 00 to rebuild. Not bad.

 

[WBusa]

Headshot, I'm not picking on you here, but your story provides a good lesson (which I, myself, learned only a year or two ago): there are some relatively hard-to-find parts in our trucks which can be relied upon to give out at the most inconvenient time possible (usually a national holiday), so it makes sense to buy them now and keep them on hand for the day you need them. For me, these parts include:



1. LarryB (or similar) starter contacts

2. Quality fuel hoses and clamps

3. Belt

4. Fuel and oil filters

5. Fuses

6. Miscellaneous hoses and rubber boots



And, of course, ya gotta have the shop manual before you need it!



I needed both items 1 and 2 on... you guessed it... holiday weekends, and there they were on the shelf in my garage. It's always nice when you can find something to smile about while dealing with a broke truck.



Are there other parts y'all can recommend one should stock for an older Dodge CTD? I'm thinkin' maybe a shutdown solenoid?

 

[bmoeller]

Are there other parts y'all can recommend one should stock for an older Dodge CTD? I'm thinkin' maybe a shutdown solenoid?

On a P-pumped truck, I wouldn't worry about a spare shutdown solenoid. You can wire it up, and drive home. Plus, it isn't always the solenoid itself. Sometimes it is the fusible link, or a bad relay.



On the VE pumped trucks, IIRC, you can take the guts out of it, and it will run. (If I'm wrong, hopefully someone will chime in to correct me. )