'01 Ram 2500 CTD Starter Problem

Did you try pulling any relays in the PDC? Would that work?

Unfortunately, I wouldn't know what relay to pull or where it is. What's the PDC?

Bill

Unfortunately, no. The starter relay only engages the solenoid, which makes the contacts which bring the big amps to the starter. Once the contacts more or less weld themselves together, or the solenoid sticks, the only thing you can do is either whack the starter with a big hammer (if the solenoid is just stuck, this will work - if the contacts are fused, this won't to much of anything), or disconnect the negative battery cables.

Power Distribution Center. It's the large fuze and relay panel located under the hood just aft of the driver's side battery.

Would pulling the fuel system relay at least shut the truck off? Or would it be best to let it run while pulling the battery cables?

Turning the key off would shut off the engine. It's not a run-away engine, but a run-away starter.

I'd say it's better to leave the engine running while dealing with the batteries, because at least that way, there's less strain on the starter, meaning less amp draw (as compared to asking it to crank over the engine all on it's own).

Of course, that presents it's own set of problems, because we know that it's a bad idea to remove the batteries from an engine's electrical system while it's operating, because the batteries tend to smooth out any voltage spikes generated from the alternator, which could otherwise damage electrical components.

It's a bad scene no matter how you look at it.... best to replace the contacts before they get this bad :)

I didn't have too much warning on this, only a few occurrences of problems that were scattered pretty much timewise. It was odd that with the ignition off, the starter seemed to be turning the engine over much faster than normal. Any theory on that? Bill

less to squeeze no fuel no fire, compression fired engine shuts down by shutting fuel off.

That makes sense, without fuel I suppose the starter isn't seeing the extra torque of the fuel's vapor pressure and the beginnings of combustion in the cylinders.

bill

What's the diff, negative or positive? Why do you have to disconnect one instead of the other?

Safety reasons, Chris. If you drop the neg connector onto metal, it is neg to neg, not a big deal. If you drop the pos onto that metal, it is pos to neg. Might not be a big a deal when you have one battery, but when you have two as in the CTD, it puts on an impressive show.

FMB (North Mexico)

Thanks. Didn't think of that. I'm used to single battery vehicles. Excellent education moment.