My 97 2500 CTD is having starting issues.
Sometimes it just won't start.

I'll turn the key and nothing happens. So I'll cycle it off/on/off/on ... sometimes it will then just fire right up.

Tonight I was out at a few shops for maybe 15 minutes each and then at the last shop was in there for 20. I walked out and it would not start. I tried 30 times and got nothing. So I called my wife and went inside to wait. After 10 minutes I walked out and it fired right up.


I tried swapping the relay under the hood with the one that was in the trailer position but that didn't seem to help. I did notice that the relays had white dots on them that looked like the previous owner may have been messing with them and testing them. So maybe they are all screwed up .... seems like one of them would just totally fail though.


So what is the best starting point?
Starter (Solenoid is built in right)?
Ignition Switch?
NSS? (It is an auto)


thanks

 

Check all ground, and power connections, make sure they are clean, and tight.

Next time you get a no start, see if you can find someone to work the key, while you see if the relay clicks.

 

I will move this to the diesel section for you, get you some additional help.

 

are all the gauges, ect staying on during the nostart? if yes, probably just the starter, if no, look at the battery connections, but the switch or nss could be a problem, but doubtfull

 

Make sure your battery is fully charged and all battery cables positive and ground are clean and tight at the batteries and the starter.

Next time you get a no start condition, do a voltage test on the starter solenoid terminal. It is the small terminal with the brown wire. You will need a helper. Have the helper turn the key to start while you check for voltage. You shoud read battery voltage each time the key is held to start. Use care as the engine may turn over. Keep clear of moving parts.

If you do have battery voltage, you need to look at the starter and starter solenoid. The solenoid contacts wear and cause a no start issue. These are easily replaced. Or, the starter itself is bad. Getting it rebuilt is the best option.

If you do not have battery voltage at the solenoid terminal, you have a fault in the starting circuit. The usual suspect here is the NSS. But, it could also be a bad engine starter relay, ignition switch or a wiring problem. More testing would be needed to find the cause.

 

I went ahead and pulled the starter and changed the contacts & plunger. They didn't look terrible but they didn't look new either. Looks like it is the original starter too.

So far so good. Drove around several times today with no problem.

I also cleaned and tightened up the battery connections. Seems to actually start a little better now.

Hopefully that will be it for a little while.