My truck just clicks one time when I turn it over at the key. It will do this 4 or 5 times and then crank up. From my perspective this is a classic starter going out. Someone confirm my suspicions or stupidity so I can sleep tonight.

Also any suggestions on a replacement? What about a high torque variety like this one....

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...CGRP60042_____

 

If all your battery cables and ground connections are clean & tight and the battery itself is good with a full charge it most likely is the starter.

Just had mine rebuilt last week.
All that was wrong with mine was the switch in it. Rebuilder in the next town replaced the switch and checked all other components. $35:00.

 

a few things to check:
as said - clean the battery terminals and cables.
charge the battery, make sure its at 12-13 volts.
test the battery if you can.
if you get a clicking/fluttering noise, thats usually a bad/weak battery.

turn on the dome light and watch it when you try to start it - if the light dims, then the starter is drawing a lot of amps, and something is bad wrong.
if the light doesn't dim much, listen for the single solid click of the solenoid. no dim tells you the starter is switching on and not drawing big power.

you might only need a repair kit like this.
contacts...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Start...Q5fAccessories


or a full kit w/brushes

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...Q5fAccessories


the last one i had go out was doing like yours. i removed it and scraped the brush gunk out of the starter grooves and it fixed it.

 

Went out and checked the cables and voltage again. I got 12.06 so I'm good on the battery, its only a few months old and a Optima Red Top at that. Cables cleaned up nicely. I'm still getting the one solid metallic hit when I try to crank it. I'm going to get a starter now. Any ideas on what brand? I'm definitely going to go with a new one. Is the High Torque variety worth the extra $$$?

 

Get one with a lifetime warranty...... doesn't matter if it is high torque or not. The stock starter did just fine for how many years/miles?

 

agreed.

I just got a nippondenso from napa. the cheapest with a lifetime warranty.

 

For $30 and a Saturday afternoon, you can get a rebuild kit (plunger and contacts) from Nations Starter and Alternator. They're easy to rebuild, and with the larger, heavy duty contacts it'll last a good 20+ years.

 

Thanks for all the help fellas. I've rebuilt starters on tractors and lawn mowers before, but I don't have a ton of time on my hands this weekend. I'm just going to pick up the new lifetime warranty starter from Napa. Thanks again!

 

Ok, so got the new starter from Napa. Install was easy as pie other than the top bolt but I got it with a cheater bar. Cleaned everything up and started the old girl up. Starts right up, BUT now there is a loud sound coming from the starter area. Sounds like the starter is running with the engine! I climbed under there and I can't tell if the starter is making the noise or if the dust pan on the bell housing is what is making the noise. I went through several start up shut off sessions and drove it for about 2 miles. The truck runs great. Nothing out of the ordinary other than the sound. Is this break in of the starter? Ideas?

 

Does the sound continue to go after starting the engine. Can you describe it?