Just my luck , no start Dakota outta da blue
clickity click click click.....sounds like a corroded battery cable....
Even if the ends are nice and clean, there can be corrosion under the insulation down inside the cable.
Same thing happened on our 93 Dakota - click click click. Pulled the cables off the battery; cleaned battery terminals and cables. Back on and varoom varoom.
Clickety - click is lack of power. You can have plenty of voltage to run lights, etc... but you need amperage to turn the starter. Your battery is low or there is a bad or corroded connection somewhere.
As you described:
twist the key and click click click clickty click click. (Dang crumb-bumm!)...
If that is whats really happening I suspect power supply also.(something loose or corroded)
If just one click it is the starter contacts that are worn out.
I would not even be surprised that it starts after your dinner.
If it just one clicks on ya,try that about 4-5 times one after another and they usually will start,at least to pull in my shop after being towed.
Hammering this kind of starter does not work like the conventional starters
I have never trading in a gear reduction for a rebuilt or new one.
They are the easiest starter to fix ever.Only problem is finding the contacts,I get them from alt/starter rebuilding company here at $5 a piece and it requires 2,of course I buy 4 of each type on a visit,so I can fix Honda,Toyota,Dodge,Nissan and all other gear reduction starter.
Dorman offers a kit part number 02349
Here is a picture of a gear reduction starter...
On the bottom and back of the starter you will have the kicker wire going in on side and battery cable on the other.
Usually 3 8mm bolts holding back cover on.
With that cover off,you will remove plunger and then spring.
Look inside and you will see where the plunger hits the copper contacts and see how they are worn...
All that holds these contacts in are the nut one the side of the starter,
Double nutted on both sides,just do one side at a time....
The only thing to really pay attention to is the plastic sleeves and o/ring on each side insulating the starter case from receiving power.
re-assemble and that starter will last another 80-100 k ...
TXDart