My 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 24 valve diesel starts and runs fine traveling to and from work. It is when I am running around town to different stores and shutting the engine off then when I try to start it again there is a click under the hood and the starter won't engage. Usually I can jiggle the key, release and depress the clutch a time or two and it will start. Afraid it won't one of these days and was curious if anyone experienced the same problem and how they fixed it.

 

Sounds like maybe the starter solenoid is overheating. Check all of your battery cable connections and make sure it's all tight. If you can make it happen when you've got a buddy around, have them crank the key over and smack the starter with a blunt object to see if it makes a difference.

Bottom line, you probably need a starter, or to remove yours, clean it out, and freshen it up.

 

Next time it won't start just crawl under and hit the starter with a hammer, wrench or something. Then if it starts right away it is the starter.