starter ?

[dodged100]

During the last month sometimes I come out to my truck and when I crank the motor My starter will grind. This only happens sometimes. I put a new starter on about 6 months ago. Do you guys think its going bad or could it maybe be my flywheel?

[B-300]

The drive on the starter might be sticking due to cold weather. Also make sure the mounting bolts are tight and the starter pulled away from the engine as it's tighted the last turn or 2.
As for the flywheel next time it grinds remove the starter (conditions permitting) and look at the teeth with a light.

[bherder]

As B-300 says, double check your mounting bolts... Mine used to come loose every now and then, until I put locktite on them.

If it's just because it cold, what I do is stick two drop lights with 100w bulbs, under the hood .... One by the battery and one down by the starter. This'll keep both warm'er' .... At least warm enough to get you started when it's 10 degrees out. Shut the hood as much as you can... Obviously with a couple of cords sticking out front, you won't be able to close it all the way.

On the other hand, yeah you may have a junky rebuilt starter.... :rolleyes:

[acton mike]

i doubt that the flywheel is the problem

occasionally, after prolong abuse from a starter that is mis-aligned or not properly tightened, the teeth on the flywheel will become worn or broken

But, while that is happening, the racket made by the loose or mis-aligned starter will wake the dead and you would certainly notice it

My bet is that your starter is on the way out and you should spring for a good quality rebuilt or a new one

my '84 D-100 starter acts up frequently; I turn the key and the starter turns but does not engage the flywheel; the mechanism that engages the starter to the flywheel is a little sticky. After a couple of tries the starter engages and i am on my way

I should change it but I think the newer style starter that would replace it would not have that distinctive old dodge starter sound that we love to hear

[dodged100]

well thanks for the input guys, it is duracrap so it would not surprise me if i need another starter. It only seems to grind about every 15 or so starts. but if it does grind it usually will do at least once more right away before the truck starts.

[C1DoG]

My truck starter sounds like it just died. All I get is a constant clicking sound when I turn the key. My question is.. I know I need a new starter, any suggestions as to where to get one that is strong enough for the 360?

[acton mike]

grinding sound from the starter

occasionally my starter will turn but the engine does not; after two or three attempts the starter will engage the flywheel and the engine will turn over.

This might be the starter "grinding" which was the topic of the original post

This means that the starter drive is sticking and probably requires service - of some sort

I am tolerating it at present because it has not posed a serious problem YET

At least with a manual gearbox I can always push start the animal

[Delray Dude]

My truck starter sounds like it just died. All I get is a constant clicking sound when I turn the key. My question is.. I know I need a new starter, any suggestions as to where to get one that is strong enough for the 360?



Nice thing is that Mopar used the same starter (for the most part) for basically all the motors from a /6 up to the 440, so unless you built a *very* high compression 360 - any normal Mopar starter should be fine.

But I'd check your electrical connections first. THe clicking could be several things - a stuck solenoid, bad connection from battery to starter, etc.

give the starter a good solid whack with a handy beating implement (on the big round part) - if you use a hammer - dont swing too hard and see if that solves the problem.

[3834B]

Guys, don't want to sound like a broken record but the Denso starter will likely be the last starter you will ever need. They are World Class. When you have been awoken from your sleep as many times as I have to go down town and put a starter in a truck full of freight you really learn to appreciate the little things. :teacher:

[C1DoG]

But I'd check your electrical connections first. THe clicking could be several things - a stuck solenoid, bad connection from battery to starter, etc.

give the starter a good solid whack with a handy beating implement (on the big round part) - if you use a hammer - dont swing too hard and see if that solves the problem.

Battery connection is always the first thing I check when checking the starter. I already took it off the truck, but it is no problem putting it back if it means not having to buy a new one yet. I have a nice light blow hammer that should work without doing any damage.

[Delray Dude]

Battery connection is always the first thing I check when checking the starter. I already took it off the truck, but it is no problem putting it back if it means not having to buy a new one yet. I have a nice light blow hammer that should work without doing any damage.


Well, if it is out - and a local autozone / advance / etc is nearby - take it in and let them test it for free - or whack it once or twice and you can apply the voltage via jumper cables to see if it spins up - just be sure to ground the starter and touch the positive and be ready for the thing to jump - if it spins then you probably had a stuck solenoid - it'll eventually happen again - but will get you down the road for a bit.

[C1DoG]

I got another problem now, I put it back in and now I have no power whatsoever from the battery. So I am going to take it out again... I have only replace the starter in this truck, roughly 2 times a year since I got it. Starting to think I am a pro at replacing starters :thatfunny. Anyhew, since I can't get anywhere today and my wife has tomorrow off, I will go back out tomorrow and take it out and go have it tested. If it tests good then I am sure that the problem is the battery. :taz:

[stosh562]

if you are going to have the starter tested might as well take your battery there too and have it tested at the same time.

[C1DoG]

if you are going to have the starter tested might as well take your battery there too and have it tested at the same time.

Already ahead of you there, I have them both out waiting to be tested tomorrow. I have to take the battery to be tested because after I put the starter back in to check it, I was getting no power from the truck. Only thing that showed any signs of power was the gas gauge. There wasn't even power to the radio. :bawl:

[Speed Dragon]

well thanks for the input guys, it is duracrap so it would not surprise me if i need another starter. It only seems to grind about every 15 or so starts. but if it does grind it usually will do at least once more right away before the truck starts.

Never buy the cheap starters or alternators from Auto Zone ;)

[bherder]

Dog, are you 100% sure your battery cables are good?

[C1DoG]

Dog, are you 100% sure your battery cables are good?

I went and had both the starter and battery tested, and come to find out that the battery was way past due it's life. I had it for 4 years, not bad for a walmart battery :thatfunny Anyways... new battery, and now she starts great. And while I was putting the starter back in, I used threadlock on the nuts and bolts on it. And now she starts up without grinding the starter. :D

[B-300]

I heard that walmart was selling batteries made by johnson controls about a year ago and they were short on lead to make them cheaper... suprised it lasted 4 yrs.