Possible starter issue.

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Luau_Pig

Senior Member
TOTM Winner
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Posts
218
Reaction score
145
Ram Year
2019 Classic
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Anyone have experience with starters going out in these 4th gens. Last time I had to change a starter was in my old 2nd gen and I had no warning at all. Just wouldn't start one freezing cold morning in Montana.

I have a 2019 classic with 48k miles. About a week ago I had issues starting the truck. It would just click but after a a few attempts it fired up and ran fine for the past week. No check engine light or anything.

Yesterday morning I got off work and same thing. Took a few tries of it struggling to fire up. This time it has a check engine light. Fired up on first try when going back to work this evening. I have alfaobd so I'll run the code when I get off work in the morning. Didn't have time since I work 12 hour graves.

I don't think it is the battery, everything else seems to be getting power. Keyless entry works, all electronics and a/c come on just struggles to start up a couple times but runs fine once it starts. I plan to test the battery, but does it seem reasonable to rule out the battery and move to the starter?

I have the maxcare warranty that would cover the starter and alternator if that ends up being an issue. Would just like to rule out the battery since that would not be covered. Anything else I should look at?
 

turkeybird56

Military Vet 1976-1996 Retired US Army
Military
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
18,748
Reaction score
42,937
Location
Central Texas
Ram Year
2019 Bighorn, 4 X 4, 3.21 rear, Bright Flame Red Pearl Coat, Mopar tonneau cover,Westin Bed rug
Engine
Hemi 5.7
1st Thing: Take somewhere and get battery tested and load tested. Start there. After check all connections to starter and all ground straps. But really sounds like a weak battery, as starting has a tremendous draw on these batteries, with all the electronics included.

Use multimeter, check across both terminals when truck asleep. Should be 12.6/7 V. If under 12.4, would be a battery failing. Mine is going in my truck also, just has not been changed out yet.
 
OP
OP
Luau_Pig

Luau_Pig

Senior Member
TOTM Winner
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Posts
218
Reaction score
145
Ram Year
2019 Classic
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Thank, I'll definitely be checking on codes and battery in the morning since I've got the next two days off. Just not used to these newer trucks. Wasn't expecting to have issues so soon. I know my 2nd gen was well over 100k before I had to change the starter or battery. Would a 3 year old battery go out this soon? Doesn't really get too cold around here. It's been in the 90s the last week.
 

Rlaf75

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2015
Posts
1,488
Reaction score
1,504
Location
East Hartford CT
Ram Year
2011
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Definitely check the codes and get the battery tested. These rams a very sensitive to voltage but it's also very important the battery has the correct amperage as well. A voltmeter won't show you amps but a proper battery test will. Now you say it just "clicks". Is it one click when you push the start button or is it multiple clicks with one push of the start button? Usually if only one click it would be the starter and multiple clicking would indicate a weak battery.
 
OP
OP
Luau_Pig

Luau_Pig

Senior Member
TOTM Winner
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Posts
218
Reaction score
145
Ram Year
2019 Classic
Engine
Hemi 5.7
First couple attempts to start up it just clicks once. Eventually it will click once and the engine attempts to turn over before eventually firing up.
 

GTyankee

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Nov 2, 2020
Posts
10,059
Reaction score
12,600
Location
El Cajon Calif. 92021
Ram Year
2016
Engine
3.0 ecodiesel
disconnect your batteries - Negative post
then do the same to the + Positive Post
clean the terminals
reconnect the + post first
then connect the - post

Go to a auto parts store & get a battery load test done

If the battery Load Tests as good
start carrying a light weight hammer to tap on the starter, until you can get an appt. at the dealership
 
Last edited:

Rlaf75

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2015
Posts
1,488
Reaction score
1,504
Location
East Hartford CT
Ram Year
2011
Engine
Hemi 5.7
First couple attempts to start up it just clicks once. Eventually it will click once and the engine attempts to turn over before eventually firing up.
From this description it does sound like a starter issue. I would still recommend getting the battery tested anyway for piece of mind though. You don't need to go to the dealer for that. Most chain auto parts stores will do it for free along with checking the codes. Get that engine light checked also but I highly recommend NOT clearing the code(s) if you plan on taking it to the dealer. If you clear the codes it will more than likely cause the dealer to say they can't find a problem then send you on your way not fixing anything. Let them see what it is and diagnose accordingly
 
OP
OP
Luau_Pig

Luau_Pig

Senior Member
TOTM Winner
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Posts
218
Reaction score
145
Ram Year
2019 Classic
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Thanks. Oreiley's opens up right when I get off work so I'll be swinging by there first thing.
 

turkeybird56

Military Vet 1976-1996 Retired US Army
Military
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
18,748
Reaction score
42,937
Location
Central Texas
Ram Year
2019 Bighorn, 4 X 4, 3.21 rear, Bright Flame Red Pearl Coat, Mopar tonneau cover,Westin Bed rug
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Thank, I'll definitely be checking on codes and battery in the morning since I've got the next two days off. Just not used to these newer trucks. Wasn't expecting to have issues so soon. I know my 2nd gen was well over 100k before I had to change the starter or battery. Would a 3 year old battery go out this soon? Doesn't really get too cold around here. It's been in the 90s the last week.
Yes, the batteries have been known to fail sooner then you would think. And if U have a 2019, that Battery probably 4 years old, not that that matters. I have a "2019", but truck has build date of April 2018.
 

burner71

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2019
Posts
197
Reaction score
187
Location
plano, tx
Ram Year
2012
Engine
5.7
so this plagued me for littery years. I posted on here many times and replaced the starter 2 times, ignition etc, still would do it. Then one day I ran a wire from the bolt on my alternator mount to the negative on my battery post. Never clicked again. It's a bad ground somewhere.
 
OP
OP
Luau_Pig

Luau_Pig

Senior Member
TOTM Winner
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Posts
218
Reaction score
145
Ram Year
2019 Classic
Engine
Hemi 5.7
1st Thing: Take somewhere and get battery tested and load tested. Start there. After check all connections to starter and all ground straps. But really sounds like a weak battery, as starting has a tremendous draw on these batteries, with all the electronics included.

Use multimeter, check across both terminals when truck asleep. Should be 12.6/7 V. If under 12.4, would be a battery failing. Mine is going in my truck also, just has not been changed out yet.
Unfortunately the check engine light was no longer on when I started up this morning. Battery tested at 12.1. They said they could sell me a new battery but recommended retesting after the truck sits a while to be sure.
 
OP
OP
Luau_Pig

Luau_Pig

Senior Member
TOTM Winner
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Posts
218
Reaction score
145
Ram Year
2019 Classic
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Tested it after letting it sit while I ate breakfast. 12.1 but climbed to 12.2. Gonna let it sit all day and test it after it has a few hours like when Im at work. Might be picking up a new battery in the morning. Guess this is why the batteries come with 3 year warranties cuz they just aint made to last.
 
OP
OP
Luau_Pig

Luau_Pig

Senior Member
TOTM Winner
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Posts
218
Reaction score
145
Ram Year
2019 Classic
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Gotta be the battery. Checked it after letting it sit over night. 12.05. Compared it to my wifes truck her battery was over 12.4 and climbing after sitting for 2 days. Thanks for the help everyone.
 

RamDiver

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2022
Posts
1,934
Reaction score
3,069
Location
Marlborough, Ontario, Canada
Ram Year
2021
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Gotta be the battery. Checked it after letting it sit over night. 12.05. Compared it to my wifes truck her battery was over 12.4 and climbing after sitting for 2 days. Thanks for the help everyone.



Did you clean the battery posts and coat them with dielectric grease?

.
 
OP
OP
Luau_Pig

Luau_Pig

Senior Member
TOTM Winner
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Posts
218
Reaction score
145
Ram Year
2019 Classic
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Didnt do any cleaning. It was pretty clean under there. Swapped the battery and now showing 12.7+ while off. Starts up immediately again with no hesitation. Had to jump start the old battery this morning before leaving. Will see after it sits overnight but hoping this is the simple fix.
 

turkeybird56

Military Vet 1976-1996 Retired US Army
Military
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
18,748
Reaction score
42,937
Location
Central Texas
Ram Year
2019 Bighorn, 4 X 4, 3.21 rear, Bright Flame Red Pearl Coat, Mopar tonneau cover,Westin Bed rug
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Didnt do any cleaning. It was pretty clean under there. Swapped the battery and now showing 12.7+ while off. Starts up immediately again with no hesitation. Had to jump start the old battery this morning before leaving. Will see after it sits overnight but hoping this is the simple fix.
U just may luck out, U neva know with these rolling electrical gremlin behemoths.
 
OP
OP
Luau_Pig

Luau_Pig

Senior Member
TOTM Winner
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Posts
218
Reaction score
145
Ram Year
2019 Classic
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I'm thinking that did it. So far no more issues or hesitation on startup. Thanks for the help guys.
 

Curt Gobbell

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2020
Posts
216
Reaction score
211
Location
Memphis TN Area
Ram Year
2014
Engine
HEMI 5.7L
FYI...my 2014 5.7 had a failed starter solenoid yesterday.

symptoms = push start button and hear one single click, but engine never cranked over.
diagnosis = hit starter solenoid with a hammer and it started right up
solution = replace starter/solenoid (1 hour job)
 
Top