[dezil]

I have a 2000 dodge with a cummins in it, and its doing something ive never seen before and could really use some help.

A few weeks ago I needed to weld a nut onto the drain plug, because the previous owner stripped the hole. I disconnected the batteries, and placed the ground clamp on the bolt itself, and welded it really quick. At the same time the fuel lines ( actually hoses not hard lines, the previous owner installed an airdog pump and filter ) were hanging down so I ziptied them up. After welding, I reconnected everything and noticed that now I had to really crank on it to get it to start ( it never did that before).

Yesterday, I cut the zipties off, thinking maybe I pinched something, and it didnt make any difference. It seems like the motor is loosing prime or something, but anyway....so I go to crank on it, and the starter is turning the motor, I back off after a few seconds of cranking, and go to hit it again, and nothing. I turn the key all the way and its like there is no starter. No whine, no crank...nothing at all. I have juice to all the other components, and I can hear the fuel pump coming on. On my chevy, sometimes the bendix would get stuck, so I would pop it out with a screwdriver, but on my dodge, you cant see inside. I tried tapping it with a hammer, and nothing. Could I have burned out the starter that easy? is there a fuse that maybe I blew? Please help!

 

[carson b]

do you have a fuel presser gauge on your truck, when was the last time the fuel filter was changed, and as fare as the starter im not to sure how they are set up

 

[dezil]

No fuel pressure gage....but a new fuel filter couldnt ever hurt, I will try that.

No ideas on the starter?......Ive seen starters and solenoids go, but never anything like this...:confused013:

 

[Sandman76]

Perhaps your starter issues are just a coincidence. You can get a GOULD rebuild kit for the starter from Genosgarage.com.

 

[dezil]

Well I am new to cummins motors.....but with all the other diesels Ive owned, when the starter goes there is a whine....or a click click click....but ive never come across just nothing before....I really thought I blew a fuse....it worked one second, and then literally a second later....nothing....

 

[Broke Down]

Well I am new to cummins motors.....but with all the other diesels Ive owned, when the starter goes there is a whine....or a click click click....but ive never come across just nothing before....I really thought I blew a fuse....it worked one second, and then literally a second later....nothing....

check all of your grounds to your starter, also look at all the wire leading to and from it. i bet when you took the battery cable off you disturbed a connection that was already bad :thumbsup:

 

[Sandman76]

check all of your grounds to your starter, also look at all the wire leading to and from it. i bet when you took the battery cable off you disturbed a connection that was already bad :thumbsup:

Ahhh yes, forgot to meantion cables and connections. Good one man!

As a note regarding cables: the ring terminal may look excellent and not corroded, but the cable can be corroded between the cable and ring terminal. Found that one out the hard way on GFs Dakota one year, was just about to replace starter when I figured replace the cable and ring terminals first and BAM, got it to start without a hitch and saved probably a couple bills on that one.

 

[dezil]

Thats a damn good point.....I should have thought of that one.....I will check that later today

 

[dezil]

OK, I cleaned all the battery terminals and the cables thuroughly.....not a change......

Any other ideas?

 

[Sandman76]

Yes, the cable connection between the copper cable and the ring terminal you know, the hole the cable goes into in the ring terminal. What I ended up doing for new cables and ends was crimp the ring part of the ring terminal in a vise, heat with torch, melt solder into the cable hole (filler up), push cable into ring terminal cable hole. Solid connection that will never corrode unlike crimped stock connections. The ring terminals I'm refering to are on the starter. Maybe all you have to do is cut off old ring terminal and put new one on but use solder like I said to get a positive connection! I chose to get new cable as the old one was all white-ish and figured it was time.

 

[dezil]

the connections all seem solid, no real corrosion to speak of.

Has anyone ever heard of a starter that just GOES like that....like a lightbulb....one sec it works, and then next....its fried?

As Ive said, its not like Im getting a whine or a click, its just like nothing happens....like the juice isnt reaching it....

 

[carson b]

its not uncommon for a starter to just stop working, but just to be sure its the starter maybe get some one to turn the key and you check with a test light or malty meter to see if your getting a signal to the starter because some times the ignition switch can stop working properly

 

[vans33rr]

I would still check alllllllllllll the wires + fuses and i think you can ohm the silonoid on the starter not sure what the ohms should be but i bet you can find it.

 

[dezil]

I was kinda thinking the ignition switch, and was hoping that wasnt it..... I know on the chevy its a huge deal to change out....is it that way on the dodge too?

 

[black2000]

This is very much like the problem I'm having right now... good thing I've got an extra day to figure this out!

Dezil did you find a fix for your truck yet? I'm about to go have my starter tested, will go from there.

 

[dezil]

I had my starter tested, and it works.....so Im out of ideas....

I had a feeling that a starter wouldnt just blow like that. Does anyone know if there is a relay for the starter, or a fuse that isnt marked as such?

 

[black2000]

Dezil, I just put a new starter in my truck and I'm all set. My starter was making a "clicking" noise at random intervals while driving, I imagine from it trying to engage... on it's way out. Go through one more time, checking your connections, and if your starter is good use a tester working your way back, eventually you'll find your problem... just keep tracing it. Good luck!

 

[dezil]

well congrats....I know it sucks dumping like $200, but your running, mine wasnt clicking or anything......I guess I will have to keep looking.....

Anyone have suggestions as to where to look?

 

[Ops]

check the starter contacts inside the solenoid, its a $20 fix and describes your problem to a T. geno's garage has the repair kit.

Ops

 

[dezil]

OK, dont trash me too bad here, but im a bit confused. A solenoid is basically a switch that just allows power to travel to the stater right? I saw them do the test at autozone, I saw the impeller come out and spin, are you talking about the spolenoid thats actually attatched to the starter, or a different one?

A $20 fix would be really awesome!....Im just not all that knowledgeable in this stuff....arty018: