Hello fellow diesel heads!

I have a quite disturbing problem with my -01 Cummins...
A couple of times now it has failed to start. When I turn the key I can hear the distinctive solenoid (?) "klick" sound. But nothing more happens!?!?!?
Got plenty of juice in my batteries, (13v) on the meter so that is not the problem.

Then all in a sudden it turns over, But only just! Only to stop dead again.
When I have used up almost all my foul vocabulary and busted my wrist by turning they key about 30 times in a row it STARTS! As if nothing ever had been wrong with it...

Why does this happen?
Is the starter motor broken?`Can the solenoid be replaced separatly?

Please help!

My apologies if my English seems weird!
I'm from Sweden so I don't use English on a daily basis :P

///Jonas

 

The contacts are the most common starter problem. This'll help; http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm

 

Next time it does that, have someone else get in the truck and turn the key.

While they turn the key, tap the starter motor with a hammer or something else heavy and metal.

If this starts it, the contacts are worn out and you need a new starter.

 

Thanx guys!

Tried tapping with a wooden broom stick once, didn't help that time but I'll try ha hammer next time and see what happens.

BTW, Is the starter motor difficult to remove? Does any thing else have to come off to get to it?
I seems easy accessible enough from underneath the truck.

 

just rebuild it, I did it on my 98.5 (same as a 2001) for $20 here is a link
it is very simple

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