""WANTED"" Info, Input,,,Your 2cents 99 Ram Cummins "No Go"

[ViLLHUND]

Howdy

Well about a week ago now, a little cold snap rolled in and starting power seemed alittle sluggish.
Then sure enough next morning, click click. Put a meter on the batteries, still a good 12v and not
a drastic change with the head light load on them. One battery green indicator light is good the
other not, no green at all. So I figure the batteries are the originals, 7 years old or so now and
cranking Amps just have no more poop left. Trickle charged batteries, cleaned posts and cables,
next morning same thing, click click. Well that settles that, $310 and 2 brand new commercial
Die Hards with 865 cold crank Amps each, and I get click click 1st try,, 2nd same,, 3rd try and
she fires right up and I could really notice the diff. in power over the old ones and all day she fired
up no prablems at all. Next day no problems starting except 1 time click click. Next day,,,
click click. nothing, zip, nodda,,,,WTF. Thinken solinoid now, but it was fine before,,,, so start
checken the grounds,,, mmmmm main starter lead is alittle loose, theirs the culprit,, nope,,
cleaned and tightener up,,,, click click,,, ???? #^%&$#$ mmmmmmm.
Its gotta be the starter solinoid? yah--- no ,,, I don't no anymore,,,,,,,,,
So whatcha think?
In the mean time I go play some Poker and see if I can wiggle about $300 bucks out of some
people.
Thanks

[funcruise]

It sounds to me like its the contacts in your selonid. You dont need a new starter, just the two copper contacts. Now the dealer doesnt sell them. They will try to sell you a whole new starter. I got a set from a little shop in town that sells batteries and rebuilds alternators and starters. To replace them you take the starter off then you will see two bolts at the end of the selonid. Take the end off and there is the contacts. There is a plunger in there too that might need to be cleaned up too and a spring on it, so be careful not to loose the spring. Put it all together and its good for another 100,000 miles with no trouble....Dodge Cummins Ram truck

Starting problems solved here!
START HERE >>> Frequently Asked starter Questions

SuperSize Starter Solenoid Contacts
INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS

Part#R90SS $34.95 Solenoid rebuild kit, contains 2 SuperSize contacts and 1 plunger for Cummins. Printed instructions included with this kit
Super Size Starter contacts have approximately 90% more contact area than stock. Designed to carry twice the voltage load for easier starting and last years longer. Our Super Contacts Fit perfectly and are for replacement of sticking and clicking stock starter contacts in 1989 to 2003 Cummins powered Dodge Ram trucks. (for V10 engine click here) Is your starter clicking a few times and won't crank? Or worse yet, sticking on? It's very likely worn solenoid contacts. These trucks use a very well built gear reduction starter. Your starter contains two contacts that are usually the only parts in these starters that cause any problems. Usually only one contact gets badly burned but we recommend replacing both contacts and the plunger while you're in there. Printed INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS are also included with all contacts. More info? CLICK here!!!! Here is an exploded view of the solenoid and parts.

[moneymaker44]

yes the famous click of death ! buy the contacts
mine started first to click once in awhile then it got worse until no start one side is about burned out that is why you have the slow crank problem.

[ViLLHUND]

Thanks guys for the info.
I did some searching and found that same site,,, and yup,,, it was the contacts and now problem solved and a hell of easier on the bank account
A rebuilt stater up here is around $340 t0 $360 with the core exchange. Probably can just about double that price for a new one at the dealership, so I was relieved when I figured it it out to be the contacts thanks to that web page and a few other posts I read here in AF so for the last 5 days she is starting up great.

Great site here for solving the car/truck problems.

Thanks again guys

Cheers