Hi everyone! I own a 1998 Dakota 4x4, V8, 5.2L and about 2 weeks ago I started having a problem when starting the vehicle. Everytime I would turn the key over, the engine would hesitate momentarily, then fire up. Over the course of 7 to 8 days the problem would get worse until now engine does not start. When I turn the key over, all I hear is a clicking sound. My suspicion is the starter is dead. Before I start crawling under the truck and replacing it I wanted to get some thoughts from you all as to any other possibilities as to what's wrong....

Thanks!

 

Yea, your suspecion is probably correct.
Try taking out the starter relay and placing a jumper wire from the always hot input (terminal 30, the numbers should be written by the blades on the relay) to the output to the starter (terminal 87), and see (well, listen) if you hear that clicking noise. When using the jumper wire, don't be stupid. Just momentarily touch the two, just to make sure the starter works, or doesn't work, properly, and than remove the jumper. Don't let the starter crank for very long.