Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Weak starter?

[PullinRam]

My younger sister has a 94 CTD and lately it's been turning over slow. The first initial cranks are slow and it seems to be a low battery. But i put a brand new one in hers, out of my truck and used her battery as the secondary. But it still cranks slow. Could her starter be bad/weak? Thanks

 

[CumminsPower98]

First it's not best to hook a new battery up to a weak one if her's is indeed weak. Check all connections real good. The most likely cause is the starter solenoid contacts. These can be replaced for a very small price. These starters don't go bad often. You can get a solenoid rebuild kit here: http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm

 

[Missouri Mule]

I'll agree with CumminsPower98 these starter should last along time and the culprits arre probably the contact points in solenoid.



But weak battery, bad connections, bad wires could cause this symptom also.



If it turns out to be starter look around an auto electric shop (alternators/starters) mite have the best priced ones.

 

[PullinRam]

It's actually become worse since last night. The starter cranks very slowly and barely get's goin enough to start the truck. Are ya sure it might just be the contacts? Im gonna check everything tomorrow though anyways.

 

[Howard Durand]

If you put in a new battery in parallel with an old one you may not be gaining much.

What does the voltmeter do when you are cranking? If it drops much below 12 volts you may still have a battery problem. Disconnect the old one and see what happens.



If the starter contacts are bad I woudn't think it would turn at all, just click.

The starter bearings may be bad causing the armature to drag. If that is the case a starter rebuild or new starter would be needed.



I would be more inclined to think it is battery related.

 

[Joe G.]

If one of the batteries is bad it will run down the good one so, naturally, it will be worse this morning.

 

[britannic]

In addition to all of the good advice above, be sure to check all of the grounds to the engine - especially the one from the negative battery terminal to the block. .

 

[PullinRam]

Well we were at a friends shop today and her truck finally wouln't turn over. Nothing at all. So i pulled her old battery out and tried just my new one. Nothing. So i pulled the starter and we did a bench test on it and the motor must be shot. We only got the armature to pop out once and it wouldn't turn. So after a few more tries with no results im guessing we need a new one.



Im going to pull mine out tomorrow and put it in hers since my truck is down for yet another week. Then i'll just pick up a new one and throw it in mine. Thanks for your help guys.







Jeff