I took out the starter and the battery, had them both tested and they passed (including the starter solenoid.) You turn the key, there is a single click, you disengage the key, there is another (quieter) single click. It will do this time and time again. Normally for about 6-10 times. Then the starter will engage and start the engine. Now it will not start at all. The truck has the smaller (3.9) engine, single cab, swb, 2wd. Other problems I have fixed were, bad radiator, heater core and water pump. Anyone with true Dodge Knowledge have any suggestions? This is my 19 Y.O. son's car and he can't afford to buy another one, only fix the one that he has. And I do not want him to take it to the dealership, as he cant afford that either, and those people work commission for a living, so I don't want him to take it there for free knowledge, then fix it myself. Any help would be greatly appreciated. What seems to be the problem?
2007-08-06 01:22:54 · 13 answers · asked by Stephen 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Dodge
I had the starter tested at O'Reilly Auto parts after I removed it from the vehicle. The starter spins freely, so it is not the armature (sp?) and the battery connections were cleaned at the same time, and it still happens. Good answers. Unfortunately all possibilities that we have already covered.
2007-08-06 01:54:26 · update #1
The outside of the starter was pretty gunked up, yet my son cleaned it off with some chemical solvent he uses at work to clean the big electrical breakers at power substations. The guts (what I could see in the starter) looked very clean and it turned pretty easy. When it "clicks" it only clicks. There is no other sound. It does not sound like the starter is trying to spin. A bunch of great answers. I really appreciate any help.
2007-08-06 04:27:48 · update #2
the next time that happens have someone tap the starter with a hammer or other tool while someone is turning the key. if the starter engages then you need to replace it.
2007-08-06 01:28:54 · answer #1 · answered by george 2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The starter not only needs to spin, the starter gear needs to extend to engage the teeth on the flywheel, then retract.
It may be the starter is electrically OK, but depending on what the 'test' really covers, there may be 'gunk' on the shaft that extends the gear, preventing it from engaging.
Does it only 'click', or does it sound like the starter may be spinning, but not turning the flywheel? It may be repeated attempts eventually allow the starter to extend.
Did the starter look pretty caked up with old grease when removed for testing? Sounds like the truck wasn't very well maintained. You might take the starter out again and try some solvent on the shaft the starter gear extends out on.
Good luck!
2007-08-06 02:48:05 · answer #2 · answered by Jay 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
who/how did you test the starter and battery? It good be a bad connection but still sounds like either a bad battery or starter. Check all wires and clean connections then start with the cheapest things 1st.
2007-08-06 01:32:18 · answer #3 · answered by 20/20 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have the same problem, after almost 400,000 kms of starting regularly. I took the starter out and dismantled it and cleaned it thoroughly, polished up the copper washer and the contacts, put some lithium grease in there an
d reassembled it, but still seems fickle, some time doesn t want to start.
Bigbear.
2015-03-05 13:19:06 · answer #4 · answered by Bear 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All great answers and suggestions, but try checking the resistance of the negative battery cable. When they "pack" it in, and you try to start the vehicle, the car will act like a starter or battery problem, clicking and carrying on like you have described. The lights will light up properly in the dash of the vehicle, too.
2007-08-06 04:40:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to have a draw test done to the starter , the starter might be drawing to much current. This can be done at a Pep Boys , Advance Auto or any good automotive parts store.
2007-08-06 01:38:10 · answer #6 · answered by johnnybegood 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, you just have 1997 dodge ram 5.9 l. I guess that having 1997 dodge ram 5.9 l's simply the law of the land
2016-03-12 21:04:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Got to be start or ignition switch, try bypassing the start portion of the ignition switch by jumping the solenoid or running booster cables direct from pos on battery to starter.
2007-08-06 08:51:31 · answer #8 · answered by 81Mustang 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-02-19 14:41:01 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 94 does the same thing. I was told it was the solenoid. I can't find a solenoid so I'm buying a new starter...hope it works.
2016-08-19 10:18:34 · answer #10 · answered by Charles 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋