How To Replace a Starter on a Dodge Ram 1500? (Easy Steps)

Are you hearing constant buzzing sounds from your dodge Ram 1500 when the keys are turned? That is because of a bad starter and this could sometimes be followed by a trail of smoke.

Replacing the starter may seem like the only viable option to fix this. Hence, how should you replace a starter on a Dodge Ram 1500?

You begin by jacking up your truck, then slide the jack stands beside the jack itself, for a sturdier lifting. The starter should be located near the driver-side wheel.

Spray some lubricant on the bolts holding the starter in place. After letting it sit for a while, use a ratchet to wheel the bolts out. Unplug all the wires and finally, install a new starter.

This was only a short read-through. Keep going through this writing for accurate guidance on this process.

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How Much Does It Cost To Replace a Starter on a Dodge Ram 1500?

Replacing a faulty part from your vehicle does have its perks but also comes with a cost. It can be quite tiresome and boring to spend countless hours looking up the costs associated with this process.

Hence, we’ve gone ahead and found out the costs you need to spare for this replacement process. This should save you a bunch of research time and energy.

Mechanic Cost

It’s not considered cheating to get this job done by a mechanic as replacing such parts can be quite difficult. In the event of you breaking any delicate part of the wired connectors, it could be extremely taxing.

Hence, it’s a wise choice to call in a decent mechanic with prior experience, even if it costs you a few bucks. Hence, the estimated cost of labor for this process would particularly range from $51 to $64.

These costs may vary slightly, especially depending on your location and your local repair shop.

But we would be lying if we said that you cannot replace the starter of your Dodge Ram 1500 on your own. Yes, it is completely possible and there is no harm in doing so.

You just need to be a bit more careful with the delicate parts and follow this write-up with your heart. Thus, helping you save a couple of hundred dollars.

Product Cost

The cost of this replacement process would eventually skyrocket after you add the necessary prices of the products. But finding the best product is not only a necessity but also a responsibility.

That being said, you must buy your parts from well-renowned brands which are the favorites of most Dodge Ram 1500 drivers.

The typical cost of a new starter for the Dodge truck may cost somewhere between $60 and $170. Keep in mind the cost may vary greatly with location as it is just an estimation.

Popular brands like Parts Player, DB electrical, ACDelco, and some more are the fan favorites of the majority of the truck owners. We’ve quoted down two reliable products for you to check below!

Tools Required To Replace A Starter On A Dodge Ram 1500

It’s extremely crucial that you have all the tools required to remove the starter from your Dodge Ram 1500, sitting right next to you.

Since, without the proper tools, it’s quite impossible to get the job done. Hence we’ve prepared a shortlist of the necessary tools essential for your task.

Let’s take a peek into the list, shall we?

10mm Socket wrench.
A pair of ratchets.
An extension of about 5 inches.

Few safety gloves.
Safety goggles.
A flat-head screwdriver.

A jack with a few jack assistance stands.
10mm Torque wrenches.

How Do You Replace A Starter On A Dodge Ram 1500?

Replacement isn’t definitely a piece of cake. It requires intense determination and carefulness as a slight margin of error could require you to repeat the process again.

However, we’ve heard your problems and prepared a step-by-step guide to guide you through the process. Since decent guidelines are always a welcome addition to such informative write-ups, here you go:

Step 1: Lift Up Your Truck Ensuring The Workplace Is Safe

It’s essential to lift up the truck using a jack to allow for adequate workspace. Place the jack in the center axle at the front of the truck and raise it above ground level.

Once it’s been lifted, you still need to slide in two jack stands to assist the jack and hence, this would ensure that the truck doesn’t fall over you when working.

Don’t forget to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to ensure that your workplace is safe enough.

Step 2: Locate And Setup For The Removal Of the Starter

Usually, in most cases, the starter is located behind the driver-side wheel of your Dodge Ram 1500. Hence, go underneath the vehicle and look for it.

Use an electric torch to allow for a better visual underneath the truck. Once you’ve located it, you are most likely going to notice that the starter is secured tightly in place by two large bolts.

Go ahead and lubricate the bolts with a penetrating lubricant such as a gunk cleaner to cut through the rusted layer on the bolts. Let it sit for a few minutes.

Step 3: Pry Out The Previous Starter And Install New One

Once the bolts have been lubricated properly, you may now use a ratchet or socket wrench to loosen the bolts. But the job isn’t done yet!

When you’ll pry out the starter after loosening the bolts, you’re going to notice that it’s attached to a whole bunch of wiring harnesses.

Hence, go on and carefully unplug the connectors of the wiring harness and make sure not to damage any of the wires as each of them is extremely essential for the proper functioning of your truck.

Once you’ve disconnected everything, pull out the old starter and bring in the new one. Reconnect all the wires to the new starter and install it in the vacant position of the previous starter.

Then tighten the bolts using a torque wrench. Lastly, lower down the jacks and there you have it, that’s how you replace the old starter on your Dodge Ram 1500.

Conclusion

Replacing the starter of your Dodge Ram could seem like an extremely labor-intensive task, to begin with. But let’s not give up so easily!

You might not be wrong to think like this, especially because of the constant disconnection and reconnection of the wires which mostly requires you to be patient and careful.

However, if you’ve kept your eyes scrolling through this writing, then you would be able to remove the starter on your Dodge Ram 1500 all by yourself and replace it with a new one.

Furthermore, it’s always a delight to be able to add a foreign skill in your previous skillset. Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed our company as much as we’ve enjoyed yours.

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