How to Replace the Starter in a Dodge Ram

You may be having problems getting your 2001-2005 Dodge Ram 1500 truck or van to start. While there are a number of parts that lead to this problem, it's likely that you need to replace the starter in your 3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L or 8.0L truck engine. A starter cranks the engine, drawing air and fuel into the cylinders and compressing them so they will ignite, so it is crucial to the correct function of your Dodge Ram 1500 engine.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Torque wrench

Remove the Malfunctioning Starter

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery with a terminal puller. Doing so will prevent electrocution while replacing the starter. Using a car jack, raise the front end of the vehicle. Be sure that you park on a level surface and have blocks behind the back wheels for safety.

2. Remove the mounting bolts from the starter and place them in the jar or other safe location to keep from losing them. Keep in mind that there is always battery voltage present on the large terminal on the solenoid.

3. Slide the starter motor toward the front of the vehicle to clear the housing. Tilt the nose of the starter downward and lower it. Remove the nut for the wire harness connector eyelet that connects the positive battery cable to the solenoid battery terminal stud.

4. Detach the solenoid harness connections and remove the starter. The starter is very heavy in a Dodge Ram 1500, so prepare yourself for the weight by providing additional support if necessary.

5. Take your malfunctioning starter to the parts store with you. Aftermarket distributors remanufacture most of the starters they sell, so you can likely obtain a partial credit toward your new starter by exchanging your old one. Be sure that you take care not to damage the starter in transit, because the better condition it is in, the more you can get for it.

6. Purchase a replacement starter that has the same or higher cranking capacity (power rating) as the original starter in your Dodge Ram 1500. Also, match the bolt patterns, drive gears and electrical connections.

Install the New Starter

7. Attach the solenoid wiring connections to the new starter by snapping it on. Reconnect the positive battery cable to the solenoid terminal stud and torque to the specifications listed in the Dodge Ram 1500 owner's manual.

8. Position the starter, making sure to support its weight effectively, and reattach the mounting bolts. Torque the bolts to 50 foot pounds (68 Nm).

9. Reconnect the negative battery cable and lower the vehicle back to the ground. Start your Dodge Ram 1500 engine.

Tips & Warnings

• If your Dodge Ram 1500 is older and/or has high mileage, you should also replace the solenoid.
• Never operate the starter of your Dodge Ram 1500 for more than 30 seconds at a time. Allow the starter motor to cool for at least two minutes in between starting attempts to prevent permanent damage.
• The starter replacement process varies in the Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500, and depending upon the size of the engine in your truck or van.

[julemik]

on 9/6/2008 If you have a Dodge Ram 1500 2000 V8, don't waste your time with these instructions. The top bolt is impossible to get to unless you take the entire truck apart. Screw Dodge.