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1998 Ram new starter and still just clicking! #1897733
08/23/15 03:41 PM
08/23/15 03:41 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,641
Madrid, IA
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hellrzr Offline OP
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hellrzr  Offline OP
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,641
Madrid, IA
My truck won't start and it all began with a rusted front brake line! I had one front brake line bad and fixed it then discovered the one next to it was also bad and in the process of fixing that line I accidentally shorted the line to the positive battery terminal and got a little zapping for a couple of seconds. After getting the line installed I went to start the truck and only got clicking at the starter. Took off the negative battery cable and cleaned it and the truck started once but wouldn't start again. So I took out the starter and even though the old one tested good I went ahead and replaced it since it has 180k miles on it anyway. Just got the new one installed and not surprisingly the new starter is just clicking like the old one.

I am at a complete loss. I checked the starter cable and am getting a bit over 12 volts so it appears to be getting full power. I took the new battery out of the Roadrunner to try it and still just clicks. Everything power item seems to work fine. I can't fine any blown fuses. Can anyone think of anything else to look for or to test??? After fighting the Roadrunner's no start problem for so long I am beyond sick of car issues and am out of patients. I would really appreciate any ideas!

Re: 1998 Ram new starter and still just clicking! [Re: hellrzr] #1897741
08/23/15 04:02 PM
08/23/15 04:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,882
Grand Prairie,Texas
stumpy Offline
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stumpy  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,882
Grand Prairie,Texas
Check the ends of all the battery cables and starter wires. You could be getting 12v until you put the load on it then one of the cables could loose contact. 12v is good but amperage is what turns the starter over.

Re: 1998 Ram new starter and still just clicking! [Re: hellrzr] #1897812
08/23/15 06:27 PM
08/23/15 06:27 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,641
Madrid, IA
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hellrzr Offline OP
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hellrzr  Offline OP
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,641
Madrid, IA
Thanks Stumpy. I checked the end of the cable before putting the starter back in. It's pretty tough to get on that cable at the starter once it's installed to check anything but I'll try. I'm going to work on it some more and see if I have anymore luck.

Re: 1998 Ram new starter and still just clicking! [Re: hellrzr] #1897827
08/23/15 06:46 PM
08/23/15 06:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,243
Charlotte, North Carolina
sgcuda Offline
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sgcuda  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,243
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hook a test light to negative battery terminal. Stab into the positive lead that feeds the starter. Light should be on. Try starting it. If the light goes out, the connection at your terminal end is bad. If it stays lit, mount the test light on the engine block to negative battery. If it lights up when cranking, you lost your ground from engine to battery.


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Re: 1998 Ram new starter and still just clicking! [Re: sgcuda] #1897852
08/23/15 07:30 PM
08/23/15 07:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
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ahy Offline
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ahy  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
Agree connections and cables are the first place to look. Another check is the battery itself (damaged or low). Try jumping it as a diagnostic.

Re: 1998 Ram new starter and still just clicking! [Re: hellrzr] #1897890
08/23/15 09:00 PM
08/23/15 09:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,641
Madrid, IA
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hellrzr Offline OP
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hellrzr  Offline OP
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,641
Madrid, IA
FIXED!!
Thanks guys! After more testing I accidentally gave the positive battery cable a good pull at the battery terminal and it came lose! So I crimped it again and it's working!!! I feel dumb because I checked it the other day but I guess I didn't pull on it and once it got a good pull it failed. So now back to the brakes which were the original problem. I really appreciate everyone giving me things to try and all the advice!







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