I will take it off tomorrow and run to a local battery shop and have them look to see if there is anything obvious. If he says it is good I may drive back to the original battery shop and get my original starter and see if that works.

If all else fails advance auto has one on the shelf for 130.

 

New starter isn't going to solve your problem. You have a loose connection somewhere. Either on the power feed side, or the ground side. I would check all grounds. There are two that go right up by the power steering pump, make sure they are both there, clean, and tight. Trace the negative battery cable to where it hits the motor. Make sure it is clean and tight as well.

 

Your sure its not a starter issue, its just a used one that I have never had on the truck.

 

I think it is more likely to be a ground issue. I see this behavior on vehicles when one of the battery terminals is too loose. Its enough to run most of the electronics, but, but the huge draw that the starter represents on there, and it just ain't good enough.

 

Alright I will go over everything once again tomorrow.

I wish there was something that showed all the common ground locations. The only ground I even remember removing was the one that hooks on the passenger side valve cover. The ones that hook by the water pump are a little ratty looking but I never touched those.


One more question would the large draw the starter requires actually cause the truck to completely die. I have to actually remove the positive terminal connection and then put it back on to get any life out of the truck again.
Thanks

 

I think there is a section in the service manual, electrical system, that talks about ground locations...... Might wanna have a look in your down time tonight.

 

Have you looked at the Factory Service Manual?

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...e-manuals.html

It should have something related to ground wires in there somewhere, you just have to know how to work the damn thing...

Where you're a '99 I'm not sure if '01 or '96 would suit you better.

 

01 Manual for the 99. Too much changed between 96 and 99.

 

I will just go over everything tomorrow AM and if all else fails go for the starter.

I have looked over the service manual but its real hard to tell where the locations are.

 

Ok. I wasn't sure how much changed between '99 and '01.