Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Turn The Key And Sometimes It Will Turnover And Sometimes Not

[VHolloway]

could this be a bad switch

as it sets now you have 50/50 chance of it turning over

you turn the switch all the lights go on but when you turn it to start nothing

if you turn the switch from on to start real fast a few times it will work after some playing with it

at 177k keeping this truck running is a pain

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Common problem - internal starter contacts wear out and need replacing - heavy duty replacements are available - some by vendors on this board - lots cheaper than a rebuilt starter, if you don't mind doing it yourself...

 

[VolsFan]

I agree. When it doesnt start have somebody tap the starter with a hammer and see if it will fire up, kind of a hillbilly way of doing it. I took my starter in to a local machine shop about a year ago and had it rebuilt for $50. 00

 

[darkhorse]

try this: LarryB's Dodge starting problems solved here.

 

[VHolloway]

what if i get a used starter off e bay

and rebild it

then when I get it rite slap it in:-laf

 

[VHolloway]

there is a guy on e bay that is in my city that sells new starters for 90. 00

plus tax with a one year warranty

sounds like a winner

 

[Bob Cochran]

Before doing the contacts from LarryB(they are great BTW) make sure you have voltage at starter. If not check starter relay(can switch out for liek relay) and of course fuse if that is working on mine it was something strange!!! Turns out the key fob feature on mine was added by the dealer. In series with the starter wire out of the ignition switch was a box that controls door locks and the starter disable. It turned out I had power out of the ignition switch but not out of this box. Jumped the box out disabling this function fixed the problem. About a year later another problem the switch on the clutch pedal that disables the starter so you cannot start in gear worked sometimes and sometimes not wiggle it and it would start for awhile. Finally it was all not I now have that jumped out too so starter system working again. Moral of this is could be something other than solenoid contacts or solenoid contacts. Starter system really basic and a volt meter and a little trouble shooting is simple.

 

[jkidd]

check solenoid d and voltages 1st. Just had mine rebuilt by bob4x4. A great guy.

 

[ChrisOlson]

If I hurt your feelings here I am sorry
90. 00 starter you get what you pay for yahoo 1 year warrenty yahoo who pays for shipping back and forth plus the down time on your rig while you are having warrenty work done on the 90. 00 starter. Do a search on here for the larry B kit you will see lots of happy members here I am one of them, service was great product was great, Larry B kit rocks. do not waste your time or money on anything else

my humble opnion.

chris

 

[AClayton]

Common problem - internal starter contacts wear out and need replacing - heavy duty replacements are available - some by vendors on this board - lots cheaper than a rebuilt starter, if you don't mind doing it yourself...

My starter did the same thing a few mos. back and I rebuilt the contacts with the kit from Geno's and it solved the problem. The difference was that I would try and start truck and hear click but no start... . if I held key to start'it would blow the fuse under hood.



Alan

 

[David Wheeler]

Another option: Answer to Prayer"

I had the same problem as the original writer. One day truck would not start. Sat there for a minute, prayed about it... . then opened the driver side door. Truck started! Closed the door, truck wouldn't start. Then I tried turning on the dome light (same as opening the door), truck started. Turned off dome light, truck wouldn't start. Been leaving the door open or turning on the dome light now for years. Has always worked. Have posed the problem to several crack mechanics and none can explain it. I guess by opening the door (either) or turning on the dome light by-passes whatever the problem is and continues to work fine for all these years. I kinda look at it as somewhat of a security feature. What thief in their right mind is going to leave the door open while they are hotwiring your truck! See, I look at it as God answering my prayer... . real quick! Hope this helps someone!

 

[hsmith]

$90 new starter??? Not on my truck. Gotta be junk.

 

[skillsaw]

Going through starter (actually just starting) hell for last few weeks - David, it's funny how many of us do these funny things in parking lots. Gotta love the old beasts!! As I give my truck the old, "please baby, another start", I do realize my door is open and the interior lamps are off as well as the blower system. -that's when it starts.

You still doing this with the truck or has the issue surfaced over the last year?

I've been writing this up to some cosmic electrical problem. Just ordered the rebuild kit for the starter - hope this helps.

E

 

[BK]

A few weeks ago, got in mine, "click, click"...
thought dead battery right away, than realized it never cranked and dash board voltage meter never dipped...
thanks to the forum, knew the solenoid contacts were a common problem.

so keep just wacking the key into the start position, finally turned over.

ordered the Larry B kit...

put it in my center console, and forgot about it = Ooppss. . been real busy lately.

went to move the Dodge to put the jeep in the back to do brakes. .
nothing but clicks. . finally , same , just kept on hitting the key into the start position and caught it. .

Finished the jeep brakes, and put the truck in the back (started no problem) , and removed and replaced the contacts, and put the starter back in , in about 1hr.

One of my contacts were a complete mess, and 90% of it's thickness gone (semi circle where the plunger makes contact, paper thin now), and the other wasn't soo bad (give it a cleaning and it would look brand new)... but with them being at different thickness I'm shocked it even started at all.
Same with the plunger, give it a good cleaning and it wouldn't be soo bad. .

The Larry B kit is a nice nice upgrade and easy rebuild.

There's another thread on here, with hints about wrenches and the top bolt and so on...
for getting the starter out.