YACT: Starter problems

[Squisher]

My '91 Dakota (318ci) starter started giving me some problems about two weeks ago.

I'd go to start it and you'd hear a clunk like the battery was dead, then if you turned it off and started it again it would start, no problem. When it did start, motor turned over no problem, not slow at all.

So, I figured the starter was binding up, then starting on the second try.

But, when swapped out the starter, now I have nothing. Turn the key and lights dim, but no noise, no nothing.

I thought I was a dummy and it was the battery all the time (even though I checked that first) so I tried to jump it and nothing again.

I figure either Autozone sold me a clunker or it might be the neutral safety switch. But, if it was the switch, why would I have been able to start it for the past two weeks on the second try????

 

[minendo]

Check the alternator at all?

 

[Zenmervolt]

I'm betting that the auto-zone unit is DOA.

ZV

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: minendo
Check the alternator at all?

Well, the battery seems to be getting charged. I put a voltmeter on it and it read out 12 volts, not as much as I'd like, but enough.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I'm betting that the auto-zone unit is DOA.

ZV

This is what I'm thinking. I'm going to put the voltmeter on the connection at the starter and see if I'm getting any voltage when I start.

This starter was a pain in the ass to change too. One bolt required you to have a socket, a 6 in. extension, a universal, then a 15 in extension. What a pain. But, I got plenty of practice today.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I'm betting that the auto-zone unit is DOA.

ZV

This is what I'm thinking. I'm going to put the voltmeter on the connection at the starter and see if I'm getting any voltage when I start.

This starter was a pain in the ass to change too. One bolt required you to have a socket, a 6 in. extension, a universal, then a 15 in extension. What a pain. But, I got plenty of practice today.

Definitely not the neutral switch, you wouldn't even get the clunk.

ZV

 

[crab]

Our Ram van with the 318 did the same thing...It was the starter selenoid...which is connected to and was probably changed with the starter. Probably a DOA unit.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: minendo
Check the alternator at all?

stop posting. it's the starter.

 

[Rumpltzer]

I'm pretty sure AutoZone can test the starter on the same rig that they use to test alternators. Didn't test out the old one before replacing it?