ok so i get under the truck to take the starter out ran in to a couple problems

1.How do you unhook the positive wire from the starter??? it has a cover on it that WILL not come off....i guess it would come off if i broke it but i dont really want to do that

2.what size bots hold the starter on? i tried several different wrenches but none of them fit....and they look like some kind of star head ...which i have no tools that fit them!!!

3.How many bolts does the starter have holding it on?? im pretty sure there is one on the top of the starter but i cant seem to find it and there looks like there are 2 (star heads) holding it on in the bottom of the starter

any help would be great!!!!!

 

Should be 3 bolts. Either 10 mm wrench or I think 10-12 hex wrench. Shouldn't be torx. Either way there is not alot of room to work. I took mine out with just an open end wrench from below. For the style with hex I hear its easier to get the top bolt up top and the two bottoms from below. The rubber cap or plastic just pop off with a screw driver. Once you have it out the solenoid cover comes off and you should be able to tell easy if the contacts are bad. The positive will most likely be thin or hardly there. Just remove the plunger and use a wrench to remove the nuts on the studs, slide the contacts out And drop new parts in. You wont be able to get parts at your local auto parts store so go onto google and type in dodge cummins starter contacts and you should find the rebuild kit. Or genos garage. The install is exactly reverse of removal and break down. Doing contacts and the plunger will be alot cheaper than a whole starter obviously, I picked up contacts for 30 shipped to my door in 2 days. Compared to a 200 dollar starter at cheapest it's a great deal. You don't have to be mechanically inclined to do it either. Super easy and super cheap.

 

3 bolts, 10mm 12 point. Not terrible to get to.

 

thanks for the tips guys...i got the starter pulled out today but wasnt able to get it tested (got called in to work) im going to get it bench tested tomorrow on my way home from taking the boy to school...if it all tests out bad then im going to order that starter rebuild kit from genos......its the next cheapest step!!!

so now comes a more hypethical question...if every thing checks out ok (good) with the starter on the bench what should my next step be? ? ? what should i be looking for? ? ?
thanks a ton guys!!!

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just went and had the starter bench tested at Advanced Auto Parts and it tripped the breaker in the store ....i mean the WHOLE store blacked out....the guy said i think your starter is bad...and i said i think your circuit breaker is bad ! ! ! !

after he got the power turned back on he tested the starter again and it didn't move,click or anything...he taped it with a hammer a couple times and still nothing....i know its bad news when you have to go buy a part but believe it or not i'm actually relived that its JUST the starter

I want to thank you all for all the help guys !!!!