Dakota 2WD V8-5.9L VIN Z LDC (2000)
Starter Motor: Description and Operation
The starter motors used for this engine with a manual transmission available in this model are interchangeable.
The starter motors for all of this engine and transmission combinations are mounted with one screw, a stud and a nut to the manual transmission clutch
housing or automatic transmission torque converter housing and are located on the left side of the engine.
Each of these starter motors incorporates several of the same features to create a reliable, efficient, compact, lightweight and powerful unit. The electric
motors of both starters have four brushes contacting the motor commutator. This four electromagnetic field coils wound around four pole shoes. This
starter motor is rated at 1.4 kilowatts (about 1.9 horsepower) output at 12 volts.
These starter motors are serviced only as a unit with their starter solenoids, and cannot be repaired. If either component is faulty or damaged, the entire
starter motor and starter solenoid unit must be replaced.
These starter motors are equipped with a gear reduction (intermediate transmission) system. The gear reduction system consists of a gear that is integral
to the output end of the electric motor armature shaft that is in continual engagement with a larger gear that is splined to the input end of the starter
pinion gear shaft. This feature makes it possible to reduce the dimensions of the starter. At the same time, it allows higher armature rotational speed and
delivers increased torque through the starter pinion gear to the starter ring gear.
The starter motors for all engines are activated by an integral heavy duty starter solenoid switch mounted to the overrunning clutch housing. This
electromechanical switch connects and disconnects the feed of battery voltage to the starter motor and actuates a shift fork that engages and disengages
the starter pinion gear with the starter ring gear.
These starter motors use an overrunning clutch and starter pinion gear unit to engage and drive a starter ring gear that is integral to the flywheel (manual
transmission), torque converter or torque converter drive plate (automatic transmission) mounted on the rear crankshaft flange.
