Hello,

I need to replace my starter I thought the battery was going bad because every time I would turn the key the engine would just click and not crank over. It would usually click three or four times before it starts. I wanted to know what the best re manufactured starter is, my three options are from autozone, orileys, or napa.
Its a 99 1500 with the 318.

Thanks

 

Of the three options given, I'd go with NAPA. But keep the old starter and pick up a rebuild kit, consisting of two contacts and a plunger -- ten to fifteen bucks on eBay. Most of the time it's all you need to restore the old starter to good working order.

 

Thank you for your help, I was thinking napa as well but I don't want to spend the fifty dollar core charge for the original.

 

I can relate. I've had such rotten luck with the discount houses that the only things I'll buy from them are fluids, filters, and spark plugs. I'm really lazy so I'll spend 150% of the time, effort, and money on a job if it brings a reasonable assurance of not having to do it again -- far too many times I've had to rip out a brand new (or newly remanufactured) part to warranty exchange it right after it's installed.

If you can wait on freight you might just order up the rebuild kit and save a bunch of money. It's not a guaranteed fix, but for the symptoms you describe it's the best guess there is.

 

Check all the grounds? Seemingly small ground issues can cause trouble starting and send you barking up the wrong tree.... I know from experience

 

When i did my starter the nut froze on the bolt(battery lead) and started to turn. Had to hack it off with a saw to get it off.

 

I parted out one of these Dodge Ram trucks once, and I had to cut the starter off with an angle grinder. There was so much corrosion between the starter and the transmission, it just wouldn't budge.

 

I got a used one from a salvage "junk" yard guaranteed to work, Had the old one rebuilt locally. The used is still working and I have a rebuilt spare. Around sixty dollars invested.

 

95% of the issues with starters are the contacts inside. If you can get yours off they sell kits to replace them. When i was looking for one for mine pep boys had an explanation of what was done with each option available. Some only got the contacts where others got mostly all new parts. Do your research!

 

Replace the brushes! That's the part that wear