Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Stuck solinoid fried motor on starter assembly

[AChaulk]

I had already picked up the heavy duty solinoid contacts from Geno's and planned to get to installing the new contacts in the next few days. The starter was acting up with just clicking on occasion. Unfortunately I waited just a little too long.

Stopped for lunch with the Mrs. Came back out and cranked it up, sounded weard so I tried to shut it down. Starter stayed engaged and was going to burn itself up. I didn't have any tools and couldn't get my battery terminals loose by hand. I swung into the nearest auto parts store and asked for a 1/2 inch wrench. Ran out to pull my terminals but by the time I got back to the truck it had already stopped cranking. It smelled like a pile of burned wires but I thougth I'd try for a hail mary. I let it cool for a while and gave it one more try. Sure enough it started normally. I made a bee line for my garage.

I pulled the starter and found the solenoid contact points were badly worn. One side was pretty good but the other contact was paper thin. I put in the heavy duty contacts and that part is fine. BUT... The actual motor really got hot and stinks like hell. Despite that, it still works! but for how long... ?

So... In stead of picking up a new or rebuilt starter assembly. I would like to just pick up the actual starter electrical motor somewhere. Since the housing, gears and relays are all in excellent shape it seems like a waste to get a whole new starter system.

Anyone have any ides who sells just the electrical motor portion of the starter?

 

[jclark5810]

Can you pick up a used starter off ebay and just use the motor itself? I've seen them on there for around $50. I've been told the actual motor on these thing rarely ever go bad, it's usually just the solenoid. People end up just swapping out the entire unit.

 

[moparguy]

Junk yard, U-Pull It, post a request on local CraigsList or similar. Good Luck, RR

 

[bry1216]

I had already picked up the heavy duty solinoid contacts from Geno's and planned to get to installing the new contacts in the next few days. The starter was acting up with just clicking on occasion. Unfortunately I waited just a little too long.



Stopped for lunch with the Mrs. Came back out and cranked it up, sounded weard so I tried to shut it down. Starter stayed engaged and was going to burn itself up. I didn't have any tools and couldn't get my battery terminals loose by hand. I swung into the nearest auto parts store and asked for a 1/2 inch wrench. Ran out to pull my terminals but by the time I got back to the truck it had already stopped cranking. It smelled like a pile of burned wires but I thougth I'd try for a hail mary. I let it cool for a while and gave it one more try. Sure enough it started normally. I made a bee line for my garage.



I pulled the starter and found the solenoid contact points were badly worn. One side was pretty good but the other contact was paper thin. I put in the heavy duty contacts and that part is fine. BUT... The actual motor really got hot and stinks like hell. Despite that, it still works! but for how long... ?



So... In stead of picking up a new or rebuilt starter assembly. I would like to just pick up the actual starter electrical motor somewhere. Since the housing, gears and relays are all in excellent shape it seems like a waste to get a whole new starter system.



Anyone have any ides who sells just the electrical motor portion of the starter?

Oo. Put in a new plunger also! Watch out for the ball to drop out or loss of the O-rings.



Try Larry B.

http://fostertruck.com/dodge/

- Part# 8250 $59. 00 Easy Starter Rebuild Kit, Includes solenoid kit, brushes, wrench and instructions. 94-06 only



http://startercontacts.com/



On ebay:

http://stores.ebay.com/LarryBs-12-Valve-Dodge



Just replaced my yesterday. Parts were locally in Boise, ID.

Hope this helps.