Originally Posted by
Chrisjlyon
Not sure what kind of repair can be made. I am hoping to take it in and get it tested.
Originally Posted by
ala_xfire
Clean up the little bent out tab real good, solder a #6 or 8 wire to it and run to the ground lug with an eyelet. ( Alabama redneck shade tree fix )
Originally Posted by
Chrisjlyon
It passed twice at the parts store. Unfortunately no load against it but better than I expected. Guess I'm down to the RCM. Ready for it to be running

George has a great answer, that lug looks sturdy enough to solder to. Use a HIGH wattage iron, DO NOT let it melt where the solder is at the plastic base (you can see a wire at the far left of the burned out strap, looks like it is soldered from internal wiring). You do not want a cold solder joint at the fix, nor do you want that (left side) internal wire to get loose if that solder holding it gets liquid, that will probably result in being stranded down the road. IF the fix is 100% reliable, your OK. If it isn't (or you are not comfortable with that large a solder repair job), then replace that starter. I do not know if there is a 'rebuild' kit available, that includes that strap. I am sure there are much lower prices for this starter, than at a Chrysler or MB dealership or parts jobber. Your choice! Good luck with your fix! BTW, I have never seen such a failure, I wonder what caused that kind of fault?

A footnote, looking more closely, you might be able to 'bridge' that gap if it is very well cleaned, and you have a small chunk of copper bar? If so, you can 'heatsink' off that tab that George mentioned which might help keep that left side solder point from 'melting' and pulling that wire out from within the starter. No matter what route you take, if it were mine, I would be 100% sure of the fix (OR) have a boxed starter in the rear if I thought it would fail again (with all the tools needed).
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