Hey all,

I live in a cold climate(Montana) and occasionally have to let my battery warm up for a while before the engine will turn over(this seems weird but the engine won't turn over at all unless I let the radio etc. run for at least 30 seconds). This is only for the below zero days. Everything has been working ok until recently when even on warm days my truck won't turn over. The battery is giving ample power and the radio and HUD lights turn on, but when I go to crank the engine nothing happens. I usually try this three or four times and eventually it will turn over and start right up. Any idea on what needs to be replaced? I've got a 2,000 mile trip comin up and I don't want this to become a huge problem. My truck is a 1999 1500 Laramie 4x4.

 

Have the battery tested. Doesn't take much to run the radio, takes quite a bit to turn over the engine.

Swap the horn relay, with the starter relay. (I am assuming your horn works.) See if that helps.

If none of that makes a difference, see that you are getting at least 9 volts on the little wire to the starter, when the key is in the start position. (takes two people)

If THAT all checks out, replace the starter.

 

I had the same problem as I live in Colorado, bench tested the starter to find out the solenoid was ok, it was the drive motor in the starter that was weak.


It was clicking and would finally start on the 3rd or 4th try.