Archived 98.5 starting problem with a twist

[kk5263]

Hi
everyone

Last night I changed the starter on my 1998 1/2 Dodge 2500 it had been giving problems for a bit, it was time to change it.
Everything went good, jumped in the truck nothing no dash lights.
The truck has a Clifford Immobilizer installed from the previous owner that was a pain. I figured it was the Clifford causing the problem when I put my key into it broke into pieces.
Took the dash apart to uninstall the Clifford soldered all the wires together that had been cut.
Now I have dash lights but will not turnover with the key.
I can jump start it and it runs good but.....the ABS and Airbag light stay on, the windows and heater fan don't work.
I took it for a drive and it wouldn't come out of 1st gear.
I have checked every fuse and relay and they are all good. The starter relay clicks when I turn the key.
It has been a good truck never had wiring problems before.
Any ideas what to look for.

 

[Joe Mc]

Stupid question on my part but if you don't ask... You did disconnect both batteries before removing the old starter? If not did by chance you see any sparks during the change out? Bummer that you are having problems. Electrical ones are a PIA for sure. Maybe disconnect both batteries pos & neg and let sit for a while, turn head lights on/off, blow horn before reconnecting batteries. maybe some time without power could help? Go to your profile and set up a signature with your truck info to help folks help you in the future. Sorry if I'm not much help but a place to start. keep updating with what you find out, good luck.

 

[BigPapa]

I bought a Jeep GC that had a Viper alarm on it. I had to replace the battery and when I put the new battery in I had nothing like you except the alarm was going off. I removed what I thought was all of it and still had the same issue. I FINALLY found a small "module" WAY up inside the dash. After removing it I had no more problems.

 

[kk5263]

Yes I did disconnect the batteries and I did try to disconnect them after but didn't work.
This Clifford system if I got it all used 6 wires

 

[Missouri Mule]

When you say you jumped your truck could it have been your batteries all along.
What was your voltmeter reading?

Do have multi-tester,voltmeter test lite to check voltage for both batteries and to check one at a time ( take positive cable off one at a time)?

Never heard my stater relay click. Do mean your starter solenoid? If it is clicking but not turning the starter your not getting enough juice to the starter.

 

[kk5263]

New batteries the week before. My old starter was having a hard time turning over the truck, drawing way to much amperage
By jumped it I mean between the two wires on the starter.
If you get someone to start your truck for you, with your hand on the relay you can feel the relay click as you turn the key to start. If it does start you wouldn't be able to hear it because the diesel is so loud you can't hear it but you can still feel it, but because my truck doesn't start I can hear and feel it click. The click is just the relay turning on and off. I know a solenoid click.....different click.
oh and my voltmeter was reading 14 volts. Alternator was and is good

 

[Missouri Mule]

Try this test truck in park. Key turned to run( or you don't need key). Using solid wire/house wire. Take out starter relay. Put one end/touch of wire into female terminal near battery, touch the other end to opposite female terminal. See if it turns starter (if you have key in run position it mite start).
Trying to rule out relay. You mite have problem with solenoid on starter or the neutral safety switch. If starter spins it is ignition switch or neutral switch if it doesn't spin take starter off and take cover off of the solenoid and check the contacts and the plunger.

 

[kk5263]

Well after pulling all my hair out we figured it out. After checking every thing a dozen time there was a short in the new starter that blew a 30 amp fuse. Apparently I must of tightened the 9m nut just a bit to much. To fix it I double nuted the stud and turned it back just a bit presto now its fixed. Drove the last two days to work ran and started good.
Thanks for everyone input it just showed me I was nuts. Some times the most confusing things turn out to be the simplest.