2000 Dodge Dakota V8 4wd Starter replacement
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Clayton MI
A cheater pipe may make the difference. I'm pretty sure, once it breaks loose, it will zip right out. Be glad it's a Dodge and not a NorthStar like others have mentioned. I worked on an AMC Reliant (Renault and AMC venture) where I had to half dismantle the engine to fix a valve cover leaking. There's an old saying, "The French copy no one, no one copies the French);
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2022
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Hey everyone,
I’ve been searching all over the internet on forums and Youtube videos and can’t quite find the information I need. Hopefully someone here can help.
I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota Sport 5.9L V8 4wd. Recently when trying to start it with full battery voltage, and clean battery terminals there is only a click. After a series of tries to start and several clicks it will crank and start up fine. This leads me to believe that the starter solenoid might be going out (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). Since the solenoid is on the starter I went out and got a starter and was going to put it on. This is where my problem starts.
I have the Haynes manual and it says to go under the truck to remove the starter. Several videos showed it can be done from the wheel well also. The thing is that all of these examples are all 2wd Dakotas. I seem to have no clearance to take off the top starter bolt because the front axle is in the way along with part of the differential. I’m hoping someone here has changed a starter on a Dakota like mine and can offer some guidance on how to do it. So far all I can think of is removing the whole front axle.
Any help with this would be very appreciated. Also sorry for the huge post wanted to be as detailed as possible.
Thank You in advance.
I’ve been searching all over the internet on forums and Youtube videos and can’t quite find the information I need. Hopefully someone here can help.
I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota Sport 5.9L V8 4wd. Recently when trying to start it with full battery voltage, and clean battery terminals there is only a click. After a series of tries to start and several clicks it will crank and start up fine. This leads me to believe that the starter solenoid might be going out (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). Since the solenoid is on the starter I went out and got a starter and was going to put it on. This is where my problem starts.
I have the Haynes manual and it says to go under the truck to remove the starter. Several videos showed it can be done from the wheel well also. The thing is that all of these examples are all 2wd Dakotas. I seem to have no clearance to take off the top starter bolt because the front axle is in the way along with part of the differential. I’m hoping someone here has changed a starter on a Dakota like mine and can offer some guidance on how to do it. So far all I can think of is removing the whole front axle.
Any help with this would be very appreciated. Also sorry for the huge post wanted to be as detailed as possible.
Thank You in advance.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I got it! but not over yet
I did mine from the wheel well I have the 5.9 4x4 was a pain in the *** I can’t remember how exactly but didn’t need anything special I just really slow with a wrench very small turns. I pull it out from the wheel well too. I had my front drive shaft out too because I was pulling the transmission out I bought new one to replace it with because I don’t wanna deal with that again lol it's still the original and my truck has over 230k miles(well at least to my knowledge it has mopar dodge stickers)
I was able to install the starter, but I may have been off with my diagnosis. My truck still doesn't start. It has a new battery and a starter now. I turn the key and all the electronics work, but I still get one click when I turn the key and a large spark from the battery. I used my multimeter and I tested the battery (its good, its new) I got voltage showing at the starter power cable (12.4V) and the starter passed the ground test with a 0 OHM reading. I swapped the relay with another one and that didn't do it either.
I am at a loss for what to do next to even diagnose my issue. Any guidance is helpful.
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,480
Likes: 4,223
From: Clayton MI
The spark at the battery cable I think is the problem. The clamp simply isn't making good contact. Being the battery is new, corrosion likely isn't your problem. 
The clamp itself though.... there is a real possibility.
The clamp itself though.... there is a real possibility.
Grand Champion
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 724
From: S.W. Indiana
It's in the cable. I'll bet the cable end at the battery has been replaced. I'll also guess there's some green wire showing. That would be corrosion in the wire raising resistance. I'd just replace the positive cable with a new one.
Champion
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 449
From: Atlanta
Champion
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 449
From: Atlanta