Not an emergency as it is too freaking cold to work on it, but figured I would get some input before I wait for it to warm up to 20 or so before trying to fix this weekend. Anyway truck started and ran fine yesterday.

Today wife tries to drive due to snow. Starter is not even trying. I mean it is not even lowering the voltage when starter should be engaged--not low battery or something similar.

Anyway I'm guessing starter cable is loose or starter. Any other ideas?

Manifold preheater cycles normally and lift pump also comes on normally.

 

Sounds like the brushes need replaced. Might be a pain to do, IDK, but you going to have to drop the starter and remove the back cover to see what's what.

 

could be a starter slyeniod too

 

Just screw around with the key,it will probably engage the starter sooner or later,I've had it happen to my truck.
It was the starter contacts,pull the starter off,and change em' it's so easy a caveman could (and does) do it.
LarryB's Dodge starting problems solved here.
I'd be willing to bet that's the problem,I've got over 425k on my starter motor,replaced the starter contacts once.

 

I second the starter contacts, what ever you do don't buy a new starter from napa, they are junk from the word go! Get the Larry B contacts plus brushes and be done with it and save lotsa money in the process!

 

Contacts and brushes. They the same thing??

 

Contacts are for the solenoid and brushes are for the motor

 

OK thanks for the ideas. I would suspect the contacts as it has never been slow starting as mentioned on the LarryB page for brushes. It went all at once--completely fine to nothing. I need to make sure it's still getting power from the key 1st. Still way too cold to try anything here -11F on the way home from work.

 

make sure the small wire going to the starter is ok, this is the wire coming from the switch. even if you do have to rebuild the starter it isnt that hard, they are pretty simple

 

I usually check the obvious stuff before asking, but not getting home until after dark and the ridiculous cold weather (-27F on Fri morning per the radio) had it so I had not even looked. There's a fuse under the hood called "Start Sol 20A". It was blown, although a 25A was in it. We bought the truck used in 2003, so I guess it blew another time. With a 20A it fires right up now (it is plugged in as it still only about 20). Told the wife to buy a package of 20A fuses in case it happens again. This one was the spare from my Jeep.

Now we can move big stuff to storage unit to prep the house for selling.