2001 Dodge Dakota Starter Replacement / Battery / Alternator Load Test / Starter Troubleshoot

[@durusiladeadblood311]

I knew my ex stole a stud and bolts goddamn it. This video was by far the most helpful, thank you I know what to fix now

[@warrensteel9954]

I really appreciate how you included the tools and sizes of sockets used for this. I'm going out to rescue a friend's truck and wanted to make sure they weren't some weird size before I left 🙂

[@SevenFortyOne]

Good luck! Hopefully the job goes smoothly for you

[@warrensteel9954]

@@SevenFortyOne thanks. Unfortunately my multimeter battery died just as I was beginning my troubleshooting process and the truck started right up on the first try. It's probably a flat spot in the starter or the solenoid contractor is going. My buddy wants to "wait and see" if he can make it through until the holidays when we have more time to work on it.

[@richardkochendofer7635]

Nice Dakota, Glad you solved the problem. I'm getting ready to replace mine. Your starter looks like its been on the bottom of Lake Michigan. Surprised it hasn't died sooner.....thanks for the great video.

[@lilhellasmoke]

Did this today was so stoked when she came to life lol!!

[@Trials-and-Tribulations]

😮 what no way. I have same dakota an chang9mine too. Bottom is easy 16mm nut. Top is tough. How long was the extension did you use. Is that top bolt Reverse threaded. Is the top Bolt righty tighty Lefty loose.?

[@SevenFortyOne]

I don't think that bolt is reverse thread

[@Trials-and-Tribulations]

​@@SevenFortyOneThankyou thats good to hear. Would a quick way reach top bolt. From above. By removing Battery and battery tray. I don't want to remove Steering shaft. My Dakota is 2002 3.9v6 4wd quadCab

[@miguelalvarenga842]

I got the new starter in but now no power....

[@Blacksamurai2016]

What size were the not and bolts holding it in

[@warrensteel9954]

In the video he says 5/8"

[@danielluna7593]

I recently replaced my clutch master cylinder and the slave cylinder on a 1998 dodge dakota and now whenever i try to start it nothing happens. I hear a small wirring sound that i can only hear from the outside. Please any advice will help

[@jimkelly4286]

I have a 98 Dakota with the same setup as this 2001. How did you remove the top nut on the starter? How did you get an impact wrench through the wheel well and what type of extension was used? Seems impossible to go through the wheel well or below. Any advice is much appreciated.

[@SevenFortyOne]

I don't recall and I no longer have the truck but I don't think I used and impact wrench....maybe a socket and extension or something? I know I did it by feel as I couldn't see anything.

[@jimkelly4286]

@@SevenFortyOne Thank you for your reply. At 5:50 in your video, you show an impact wrench and say that you were able to get an impact gun in to loosen the top nut. My 98 truck looks to have the same setup, but I cannot imagine getting an impact wrench to get past everything. If you saw your video again, would that remind you of what you did? It seems like a miracle to me. Looking for some advice. Thanks.

[@SevenFortyOne]

@@jimkelly4286 I'll watch it later....keep in mind I had the 4.7 engine. If you have the 318 or 3.9l it may be different

[@SevenFortyOne]

@@jimkelly4286 so I guess I did use the impact with an extension to crack it loose then probably finished by hand. I don't recall the details and can't go look since I don't have the truck anymore

[@jimkelly4286]

@@SevenFortyOne Yes, good point. 3.9L. Setup looks very similar however.

[@christechguy]

Please for the love of God someone can you tell me what size socket I need for a 98 Dakota I can’t find the size anywhere online.

[@pierre-yvesbelisle2947]

16 mm

[@donbatten932]

It would have been good to tell us what size the bolts are? Its useful to know exactly what you need as tools to do the job.

[@warrensteel9954]

He said he used a 5/8" socket on extension and impact wrench for the top bolt and a 5/8" socket and ratchet for the bottom nut/stud🤷‍♂️

[@joshualstacy69]

More showy an less talky needed to know size socket an how to remove it... good lord!!!

[@SevenFortyOne]

Glad you likey the video! 👍

[@rprovasoli]

Great video. Did you fish the starter out through the bottom or the wheel well?

[@SevenFortyOne]

I think from the bottom - I don't remember for sure though...

[@HoosierNewman]

Be came a 3 day project cause the starter wouldn't come out. Ran out of light the first day, second day rained. So... Day 3 might be dry enough to get back under. If I can get the old starter out. 5.9L Durango

[@gruiz1512]

great vid! i have the same problem and now i know what it is

[@SevenFortyOne]

Gelber De Jesus Ruiz Glad I could help! thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment!

[@Warlock73]

Any tips on getting the sense wire connected? We tried like heck to get it to connect, and after a good hour of trying different things, are gonna try again tomorrow. It’s the right direction, but will not seat all the way on.

[@SevenFortyOne]

It's been a few years since I looked at this and I no longer own the truck. I remember it being a pita but I don't know how I got it on...sorry.

[@motokev2727]

Corrosion purty bad, do you live near the ocean?

[@SevenFortyOne]

Not really...50 miles or so. I live in New England where they use salt on the roads in the Winter

[@autocad3227]

Very good, and two jack stands. Safety first.

[@darrellcahill6466]

Autocad It would prob be best to jack up the Metal Sub-Frame and stick the jack stands there instead of the flimsy rusted frame. It is located right under the rack and pinion. Much stronger and could save your life.

[@cornfusedatbest6693]

Must have been a bad year for metal. Mine looks pretty much like yours. I figured it was under water for a few years.

[@darrellcahill6466]

Gary Kovach When winter time come around and the government sprays Salt all over the roads it will destroy your car. Good idea to have the undercarriage sprayed out once the winter is over. It can help a lot

[@takayama1638]

Thanks seven! My '93 V6 needs starter I'm thinking. I'm getting NAPA one too.

[@SevenFortyOne]

Good luck with your '93! In my experience NAPA parts seem to be the best quality aftermarket parts.

[@greygoosemafia]

why not just do a voltage drop on the battery and through the fuse box under the hood where the relay is? what you see in the battery you should see at the starter.

[@miguelalvarenga842]

How did you get to the 2 bolts on top for me it's been a bitch to get to

[@SevenFortyOne]

I don't remember...wad a long time ago.

[@miguelalvarenga842]

I got it out I wanted to remove the tire but instead I did the the Helen Keller thing lol

[@jamvan2k]

How do you have so much space to get at it????? I have a 2002 SLT+ and I have absolutely no room... can’t even get a ratchet in there to get at it. All these videos have so much space to work with yet here I am with the same truck and have no space. Wtf???? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ambrosebessette100]

jamvan2k transfer case, 2 wheel vs 4 wheel

[@darrellcahill6466]

Different engine possibly?

[@miguelalvarenga842]

Brooo same

[@jamvan2k]

@@darrellcahill6466 5.9 L

[@jamvan2k]

Just an update. It was a pain in the ass but I was able to get it out through the wheel well. It was just a pain in the ass is all.

[@5280streetdogs]

How do you get sence wire off solenoid

[@SevenFortyOne]

Use a small screwdriver to help free up the locking mechanism while pulling the connector apart.

[@5280streetdogs]

SevenFortyOne thanks, unfortunately on my 1500 cant see it on top of starter to make it out and I dint see the lock to push on.

[@nholt]

@6.35 You skipped over the hardest part for me!! How to get the damn wire plug thing off the starter! Been trying to get it "unplugged" for over 30 minutes now.

[@SevenFortyOne]

You are correct....but I explain how to remove it at about 7:20. If you aren't familiar with how automotive connectors (the wire plug thingy) are disconnected then perhaps you should have had some help with this. Good luck with your project and thanks for watching!

[@mikew18]

Great video. Thanks for the help!

[@SevenFortyOne]

Glad I could Help - Thanks for watching!

[@freeddiesel2035]

I think it’s OK cause my Dakota crank slow

[@kevingage6676]

Getting on the bolts is the hard part. you skipped it. I hate watching these one after another hoping for for help.

[@SevenFortyOne]

Starting at 4:55 I explain where the bolts are then then explain how I took them off after that. The camera didn't fit in the available space so I was not able to show the actual bolt removal. I suspect that's why nobody shows the bolt removal.... but more importantly you need to listen to what I say at 3:37

[@jaredvoelker6448]

Dude I have the rear wheel drive and I have zero room to get the top bolt, I can’t even locate it. Any tips???

[@SevenFortyOne]

Sorry bud, I don't have the truck any more. From what I recall I basically had to use the Helen Keller method to find the bolt...

[@miguelalvarenga842]

@@SevenFortyOne lmao

[@Caaracu]

How long is this job approx?

[@SevenFortyOne]

Carlos arancibia 1 to 1.5 hours if you are experienced / motivated. 2 to 3 if you are an amateur or just poky like me...

[@greygoosemafia]

Would've been better for starter mech's if you actually diagnosed the problem instead of guessing at the problem. part switcher lol. good job though.

[@SevenFortyOne]

I'm not ashamed to be a part switcher at least I'm out there turning wrenches instead of letting someone else do it! thanks for watching and taking the time to share your thoughts.

[@greygoosemafia]

fair enough. mechanics are a rip off

[@Halleyscomet55]

+Richard Cowtails Napa advertiser.

[@darrellcahill6466]

Since that starter is so close to the exhaust I would consider adding in a heat-shield to keep the starter cool. Also, your old one looked a bit oily where it met the housing...might want to take a look at those valve covers gaskets.

[@Mystery69]

great video