Archived Help, Truck won't even turn over

[DavidMartin]

Today I stopped at a convenience store and when I came out and attempted to start the truck (80,000K) the starter bumped a little and then nothing. The Lights on the dash continued to work, as well as the gauges, even the radio worked. When I looked at the fuses I couldn't find anything out of whack. The other crazy thing is the power windows would not work. I ended up leaving the truck wide open with the windows down until it could be towed. That was a challenge in and of itself as the first tow operator declined to flatbed the truck when he found out it was a diesel (after he got there). He said he would tow a Ford or Chevy Diesel, but that the Dodges were too heavy. All in all my day really sucked. Anyone have any ideas, I was thinking maybe it might be a relay or something with the ignition. Any help would be great. Thanks

Dave

 

[SRadke]

The starter is toatally dead when you try to start it? Not even a click? Check the small wires coming off of the drivers side battery. There are a couple there with fusible links. I had a power window loss in a 92 from a fusible link but it's a stretch to relate it here.



-Scott

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

IF the starter clicks, but doesn't turn the engine over, either bad internal contacts - a common failure - or poor starter cable/battery connection...



The contacts are easily and cheaply replaced, but DC and many garages will simply replace the entire starter for LOTSA $$$$...

 

[DavidMartin]

I get no noise whatsoever when I turn the key over. I tried putting the truck in neutral, thinking maybe it had something to do with the switch, but no effect. When you turn the key the radio stops and the inside lights go out just like it is supposed to, but nothing happens. It is at the shop now, I have too many things going on this week to get to it and we are supposed to go camping this weekend (10K lbs Trailer). Wish me luck, thanks for the ideas, I will post back when it gets figured out.

Dave

 

[K5IP]

If all of the other things go off when you try to start it, you probably have a bad battery/battery connection.

Rog

 

[MNiebel]

My truck did this and it was the starter contacts, this causes a starter fuse under the hood to blow. I changed the fuse a couple of times till it started. Eventually you have to change contacts or get new starter. Changing the contacts is simple I got mine from www.fixinrams.com for about $35. 00 (with how-to DVD) alot cheaper than a new starter and mine works great! There is another website I've seen on TDR but can't remember name.

 

[Deacon_ffff]

My truck did this and it was the starter contacts, this causes a starter fuse under the hood to blow. I changed the fuse a couple of times till it started. Eventually you have to change contacts or get new starter. Changing the contacts is simple I got mine from www.fixinrams.com for about $35. 00 (with how-to DVD) alot cheaper than a new starter and mine works great! There is another website I've seen on TDR but can't remember name.

This is exactly what happened to me. Be carefull though, alot of shops will try to sell you a starter even though you can very easily change the starter contacts.

 

[Joe Mc]

WHAT!

Definitely replace the contacts with the HD ones - try searching for "Starter Contacts" right here on the TDR for the site. Now the thing with the windows I can't figure how it's related, do the door locks work? You may have a fusible link out somewhere??? I can't see how the windows are related to the starter??? And as far as the lame tow truck driver whining about you truck (our Dodges) being too heavy :{ and refusing to flat bed you. It's his loss if his little wimpy rig won't haul your truck . As far as I know our 7000# +/- trucks are just as heavy as the next. My motto on things like that are, "If the person doesn't want to do it and gives a reason why, no matter how lame the reason, it's probably better to not have it done by them", they'd probably screw it up anyway :-laf . Sorry for the bad luck and hope you get it up (your truck of course) and make the camping trip.

 

[DavidMartin]

Here is what we found:

Turns out that the wires running to the starter had somehow gotten pushed up against the oil cooler lines and the insulation wore away over time. When it was worn enough to cause a short, it not only burned the ignition fuse, but also the fuse for the power windows and such. The repair was cheap, but I am still waiting for the tow bill. Thanks for everyone's help.

Dave