jump start terminals DODGE RAM 2003 Service Repair Manual

SPECIFICATIONS - TORQUE - STARTING
SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Battery Cable Eyelet Nut at
Solenoid (large nut - gas engines)25 19 221
Battery Cable Eyelet Nut at
Solenoid (large nut - diesel engine)14 - 120
Starter Solenoid Nut (small nut -
diesel engine)6-55
Starter Mounting Bolts - Gas
Engines68 50 -
Starter Mounting Nut - Gas Engines 68 50 -
Starter Mounting Bolts - Diesel 43 32 -
STARTER MOTOR
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STARTER MOTOR
Correct starter motor operation can be confirmed
by performing the following free running bench test.
This test can only be performed with starter motor
removed from vehicle. Refer to Specifications for
starter motor specifications.
(1) Remove starter motor from vehicle. Refer to
Starter Motor Removal and Installation.
(2) Mount starter motor securely in a soft-jawed
bench vise. The vise jaws should be clamped on the
mounting flange of starter motor. Never clamp on
starter motor by field frame.
(3) Connect a suitable volt-ampere tester and a
12-volt battery to starter motor in series, and set
ammeter to 100 ampere scale. See instructions pro-
vided by manufacturer of volt-ampere tester being
used.
(4) Install jumper wire from solenoid terminal to
solenoid battery terminal. The starter motor should
operate. If starter motor fails to operate, replace
faulty starter motor assembly.
(5) Adjust carbon pile load of tester to obtain free
running test voltage. Refer to Specifications for
starter motor free running test voltage specifications.
(6) Note reading on ammeter and compare reading
to free running test maximum amperage draw. Refer
to Specifications for starter motor free running test
maximum amperage draw specifications.
(7) If ammeter reading exceeds maximum amper-
age draw specification, replace faulty starter motor
assembly.
STARTER SOLENOID
This test can only be performed with starter motor
removed from vehicle.(1) Remove starter motor from vehicle. Refer to
Starter Motor Removal and Installation.
(2) Disconnect wire from solenoid field coil termi-
nal.
(3) Check for continuity between solenoid terminal
and solenoid field coil terminal with a continuity
tester (Fig. 7). There should be continuity. If OK, go
to Step 4. If not OK, replace faulty starter motor
assembly.
(4) Check for continuity between solenoid terminal
and solenoid case (Fig. 8). There should be continuity.
If not OK, replace faulty starter motor assembly.
REMOVAL
3.7L / 4.7L
(1) Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable.
(2) Raise and support vehicle.
(3) Note: If equipped with 4WD and certain trans-
missions, a support bracket is used between front
axle and side of transmission. Remove 2 support
bracket bolts at transmission. Pry support bracket
slightly to gain access to lower starter mounting bolt.
Fig. 7 CONTINUITY BETWEEN SOLENOID AND
FIELD COIL TERMINALS - TYPICAL
1 - OHMMETER
2 - SOLENOID TERMINAL
3 - FIELD COIL TERMINAL
8F - 34 STARTINGDR
STARTING (Continued)

CAUTION: Do not leave any one spark plug cable
disconnected for longer than necessary during test-
ing. This may cause possible heat damage to the
catalytic converter. Total test time must not exceed
ten minutes.
Except 5.7L V-8 :With the engine running,
remove spark plug cable from spark plug (one at a
time) and hold next to a good engine ground. If the
cable and spark plug are in good condition, the
engine rpm should drop and the engine will run
poorly. If engine rpm does not drop, the cable and/or
spark plug may not be operating properly and should
be replaced. Also check engine cylinder compression.
With the engine not running, connect one end of a
test probe to a good ground. Start the engine and run
the other end of the test probe along the entire
length of all spark plug cables. If cables are cracked
or punctured, there will be a noticeable spark jump
from the damaged area to the test probe. The cable
running from the ignition coil to the distributor cap
can be checked in the same manner. Cracked, dam-
aged or faulty cables should be replaced with resis-
tance type cable. This can be identified by the words
ELECTRONIC SUPPRESSION printed on the cable
jacket.Use an ohmmeter to test for open circuits, exces-
sive resistance or loose terminals. If equipped,
remove the distributor cap from the distributor.Do
not remove cables from cap.Remove cable from
spark plug. Connect ohmmeter to spark plug termi-
nal end of cable and to corresponding electrode in
distributor cap. Resistance should be 250 to 1000
Ohms per inch of cable. If not, remove cable from dis-
tributor cap tower and connect ohmmeter to the ter-
minal ends of cable. If resistance is not within
specifications as found in the SPARK PLUG CABLE
RESISTANCE chart, replace the cable. Test all spark
plug cables in this manner.
SPARK PLUG CABLE RESISTANCE
MINIMUM MAXIMUM
250 Ohms Per Inch 1000 Ohms Per Inch
3000 Ohms Per Foot 12,000 Ohms Per Foot
To test ignition coil-to-distributor cap cable (if
applicaple), do not remove the cable from the cap.
Connect ohmmeter to rotor button (center contact) of
distributor cap and terminal at ignition coil end of
cable. If resistance is not within specifications as
found in the Spark Plug Cable Resistance chart,
remove the cable from the distributor cap. Connect
the ohmmeter to the terminal ends of the cable. If
resistance is not within specifications as found in the
Spark Plug Cable Resistance chart, replace the cable.
Inspect the ignition coil tower for cracks, burns or
corrosion.
REMOVAL
5.9L V-8 / 8.0L V-10
CAUTION: When disconnecting a high voltage cable
from a spark plug or from the distributor cap, twist
the rubber boot slightly (1/2 turn) to break it loose
(Fig. 54). Grasp the boot (not the cable) and pull it
off with a steady, even force.
On 5.9L V-8 engines, spark plug cable heat shields
are pressed into the cylinder head to surround each
spark plug cable boot and spark plug (Fig. 53). These
shields protect the spark plug boots from damage
(due to intense engine heat generated by the exhaust
manifolds) and should not be removed. After the
spark plug cable has been installed, the lip of the
cable boot should have a small air gap to the top of
the heat shield (Fig. 53).
Fig. 53 HEAT SHIELDS - 5.9L V-8
1 - AIR GAP
2 - SPARK PLUG BOOT HEAT SHIELD
8I - 34 IGNITION CONTROLDR
SPARK PLUG CABLE (Continued)