I have a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500, 4WD, when I stop after driving for awhile and shift from drive to park and/or neutral I get an awful griding sound caused by the starter engaging. It doesn't happen all of the time. Does anyone know the cause?

Thanks to rabbler this problem is fixed. My remote starter was not grounded.

Rabbler had seen before in cars with remote starters that if the ground wire to the remote starter is bad or broken it will try and ground through the neutral safety switch and this engages the starter. He suggested that if i didn't have the key fob or antenna for the starter it's probably better to cut it all out.

 

does your truck by chance have a remote starter (command start) installed in it?

 

No, I don't have a remote starter. Thanks for checking.

 

It sounds like you have some loose wiring behind your ignition switch. Ever tampered with any of that?

 

Thanks Viper37. I will take a look at it this. Appreciate your help!

 

Thanks to rabbler this problem is fixed. My remote starter was not grounded.

Rabbler had seen before in cars with remote starters that if the ground wire to the remote starter is bad or broken it will try and ground through the neutral safety switch and this engages the starter. He suggested that if i didn't have the key fob or antenna for the starter it's probably better to cut it all out.

 

Uh, I maybe I missed something, but I thought you said you didn't have remote start?

LIAR!!!!!

Glad ya got it fixed. I took the expensive, easy route when I got remote start for my wife's 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, I had my co-workers at Best Buy install it for me. Lifetime Warranty on it that way, too, rather than just a one year.

 

I didn't know I had the remote starter, bought the truck used. Only found it when I was looking for a loose wire from the ignition switch.