2006 wont crank

[AWeiman]

wifes truck every now and again wont do anything when you turn the key. thought it was the starter as it has almost 200k on it. replaced that about a week ago and it was fine till tonite. I had thoughts that I have an issue in the steering column. tilted the steering wheel and it popped right off. has anyone ever had a similar issue? or is there something else not in the column I should consider? thanks

 

[seafish]

I have definitely heard of the tilt mechanism either ocasionally pinching and/or cutting wires going to the steering column... not necessrily in a Ram, but it is definitely worth checking into further.

 

[RVTRKN]

A buddy of mine with a 2nd gen had odd electronic issues on his dash, and his windows wouldn't roll up intermittently, he found a loose plug in steering column.

 

[cerberusiam]

Yes on 3 generations of these trucks. The tilt column pulls on the harness and eventually pulls the connectors loose in the plugs and they don't make good contact.

 

[AWeiman]

ok took everything apart tonite all wires and connectors on the steering column see to be fine. I tilted the steering wheel up and down and I really didn't see where any wires moved enough to be a concern. the truck has a factory remote start and all wires in and out of that are fine. question now is there a relay in there somewhere that could be going bad? bad ignition switch? safety switch?
thanks

 

[JFought]

i had the same problem. . used all 5 keys i had. even the no chip key will start the truck for 3 sec. (06 truck)
(had it do it randomly then dead eventually)

Turn key all the way forward to engage starter and no light/power/starter is what i was getting

result- bad ignition had a lock smith replace the whole unit (keyed to orig key)
Never had a no start 40k later

Fyi service truck dirty key and start it about 6-20 times a day

 

[CSkal]

Is the clutch safety switch on its way out possibly?

 

[mweiman]

It is an auto trans.

 

[CSkal]

Oops, didn't read the whole sig... duh.

 

[AH64ID]

The TSB below had similar symptoms on my dad's 06. He also had a bad wire which took out the TIPM.

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2006/08-021-06.htm

 

[AWeaver]

my 07 did that and it was a bad cell in one of the batteries. these new diesels have to have both batteries to start. my 01 i could take one battery off and use for the trolling motor on my boat and still start my truck with the other one. might just be a bad battery.

 

[AWeiman]

The TSB below had similar symptoms on my dad's 06. He also had a bad wire which took out the TIPM.

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2006/08-021-06.htm

did it up and quit or was he having "no starts" here and there?

my 07 did that and it was a bad cell in one of the batteries. these new diesels have to have both batteries to start. my 01 i could take one battery off and use for the trolling motor on my boat and still start my truck with the other one. might just be a bad battery.

I have wondered about the batteries as well since they are the originals. funny thing is since I took the steering column apart to check connections I have not had it happen since

 

[AH64ID]

did it up and quit or was he having "no starts" here and there?

No starts here and there for a few months, and finally quit and left him stranded at a fuel station in Anaconda, Mt.