Genuine Dodge Dakota Starter Motor

Dodge Dakota Starter Motor Parts Questions & Answers

• Engine Starter
  4801256AC
  Q: How to Remove and Install a Starter Motor on a Dodge Dakota?

  A: Disconnect the cable from the negative terminal of the battery. Raise the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands. On 4WD models with certain transmissions, there's a support bracket between the front axle and the side of the transmission that blocks access to the lower starter mounting bolt. If your vehicle has this support bracket, remove the two support bracket bolts at the transmission, then pry the support bracket aside enough to gain access to the lower starter mounting bolt. Additionally, on some 4WD models the driveshaft will have to be detached from the front differential companion flange for access to the starter mounting bolts. Remove the heat shield, if equipped, from the starter motor. Remove the nut that secures the battery cable to the terminal stud on the starter solenoid, disconnect the cable from the terminal stud and disconnect the electrical connector from the spade terminal on the solenoid. Remove the two starter mounting bolts. Move the starter motor toward the front of the vehicle until the nose of the starter pinion housing clears the transmission bell housing then tilt the nose down and, if you haven't already done so, lower the starter until you can disconnect the electrical connector and remove the nut that secures the battery cable to the terminal stud on the starter solenoid. Once everything is disconnected, remove the starter. The starter motor is fairly heavy, so be sure to support it while removing it. Do NOT allow it to hang by the wiring harness. Installation is the reverse of removal. Loosen the lug nuts on the right front wheel. Raise the vehicle and place it securely on jackstands. Remove the right front wheel. Remove the splash shield from the right front wheel housing. On some 4WD models with certain transmissions, there's a support bracket between the front axle and the side of the transmission that blocks access to the lower starter mounting bolt. If your vehicle has this support bracket, remove the two support bracket bolts at the transmission, then pry the support bracket aside enough to gain access to the lower starter mounting bolt. Disconnect the battery cable and electrical connector from the terminals on the starter motor solenoid. Remove the two starter motor mounting bolts and remove the starter motor assembly. Installation is the reverse of removal.
• Engine Starter
  4801256AA
  Q: How to Check Starting Circuit and Starter Motor?

  A: Check the Battery Cable clamps, cables, battery, starter motor wiring and connections, mounting bolts, fuses, ignition switch circuit, starter relay, and TR sensor. If voltage is not available to the starter solenoid, check the fuses and starter relay. If the starter turns over slowly, check the starter cranking voltage and current draw. Remove and check the starter motor assembly on the bench. Install jumper cables from a test battery to the starter and observe the solenoid plunger, shift lever, and overrunning clutch. If the solenoid plunger extends and rotates the pinion drive, the starter assembly is operating properly.