2000 ram1500 w/5.9 - my coolant ran low and my engine temp went up to just below red. I stopped and let engine cool. drove it again and temp went up.

after the 3rd time cooling down, turned key and the starter solenoid fuse blew. I replaced fuse and truck started drove truck till it got hot, let engine cool down, started fine.

got home let engine cool and added coolant. truck started and ran fine and temp. stayed ok. stopped after 20 min of driving and truck sat for 30 min.

when I turned the key to start I heard the solenoid click but the starter did to turn over the motor. I turned the key on and off 5 or 6 times and the motor turned over and started. I got home turned off truck and turned the key and it started right away and I turned it off.

later on I went to drive it and the solenoid clicked but no turn over. turned key on/ off multiple times and it finally turned over and started.

It does this almost every time I try and start it. occasionally it will start on first try.

any suggestions or help would be appreciated.

 

Sounds like time for a new starter.

Welcome to DF.

 

I am hoping that it is the starter.

 

Probably when the engine was hot, which makes it more difficult to turn over...... the starter overheated.... which got the contacts in the solenoid toasty warm, until the fuse blew....

 

went and got a new starter, put it on and it fired right up. All is well again, here in paradise.

thanks for your help, you guys are the best.

 

So the real question is why havent you fixed your cooling issue?

 

And driving it a couple of times with overheating issue.....Hope it did not do significant damage that has not showed up yet.

 

I had not checked my coolant level for a while( slacker ) my fluid level has stayed the same for a few days and I changed my oil right after it overheated to see if there was any sign of fluid in it and it was ok.

 

Does engine run at normal temp now? Any idea why coolant was low?