How to Replace a Starter in a 2000 Dodge Durango 4.7L

by Marion Cobretti

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Starter damage occurs most often from a short circuit. A close inspection of the starter usually reveals corroded or loose solenoid wires. This problem can prevent your Dodge Durango's engine from starting. In other instances, the engine may start normally but have problems starting again once you turn the engine off. The starter on the 2000 model 4.7L Dodge Durango mounts on the passenger's side at the lower rear of the engine. You can remove it for testing or replacement right in the driveway at home. With a few tools, the job should take about an hour to do.

Step 1

Apply the emergency brake and pull the hood's release lever in the interior of your truck. Lift and properly support the Durango's hood. Locate the truck's battery within the engine compartment.

Step 2

Loosen and remove the black (negative) battery cable with a socket wrench. Lay the cable down within the engine compartment, away from the battery.

Step 3

Raise the front end of the Durango with your hydraulic jack. Place a jack stand under the frame rail on the left and right side, behind the front tires. Lower the hydraulic jack slowly until your Durango rests fully on the support arms of the jack stands. Do not completely lower or remove the hydraulic jack; leave it in place for additional support.

Step 4

Gather all of the tools needed for the repair and set them on the passenger's side of the truck near the front tire. Slide under the Durango at the passenger's side door jam and locate the starter. It looks like a large metal tube and is 10 to 12 inches long.

Step 5

Attach a flexible extension to your socket wrench. Reach up and feel the starter's top mounting bolt at the base of the starter. Remove the top mounting bolt with your socket wrench. The starter's lower mounting bolt is actually a nut. The stud that you see does not come out; it is affixed to the engine.

Step 6

Set the milk crate, bottom up, directly under the starter. Remove the lower mounting nut on the starter with your socket wrench. Pull the starter off the stud 2 inches toward the gas tank. Lower the starter out of the engine compartment and set it on the milk crate.

Step 7

Label each of the wires connected to the solenoid with white painter's tape to help you remember where they mount. Remove each of the nuts holding the wires in place with your socket wrench. Take each of the wires off their terminal studs to completely free the starter.

Step 8

Set your new starter down on the milk crate. Place each of the wires back onto their corresponding studs on the solenoid. Install each of the wire's retaining nuts by hand and secure them in place with your socket wrench. Remove the white painter's tape that you used to label the wires.

Step 9

Raise the new starter up into the engine compartment for mounting. Slide the starter back down onto the lower mounting stud. Return the nut to the stud by hand but don't completely tighten it yet. Reach up into the engine compartment and install the starter's top mounting bolt by hand. Tighten it as much as you can by hand.

Step 10

Attach your flexible socket wrench extension to a 3/8-inch-drive torque wrench. Set the torque wrench to 35 foot-lbs. and secure the top mounting bolt in place. Remove the flexible extension from the torque wrench and then secure the lower mounting stud's nut in place. Gather and move all of your tools from beneath the Durango.

Step 11

Raise the hydraulic jack and remove both of the jack stands. Lower the Durango and remove the hydraulic jack as well. Connect and secure the black (negative) battery cable back on its post on the battery. Shut your Durango's hood. Release the emergency brake and start the engine to check the repair.

References

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