Archived Intermittent no start

[SOOT]

I tried searching to no avail.



My Mom's 02 2500 6spd wont start randomly. Batteries are good, cables are clean, starter is new. I used the jumper wire on the clutch switch to bypass it and can hear the starter relay in the fuse box clicking but the starter never makes any sounds, so the clutch switch is good. Need to get this fixed as I am moving and won't be able to work on it.

 

[Missouri Mule]

You can use jumper wire on the starter relay (jump between hot female terminal to terminal opposite). Probably contacts in starter solenoid. But also could be starter. Connection to PDC from battery could be loose.

 

[SOOT]

This has been happening for the last couple of years and has gotten worse over the last couple months. Yesterday and today it wont even try. It has had several starters replaced trying to fix it with no change. When she gets back she is going to pull the PDC apart and check the wiring. The times it would start the batteries did not sound weak.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Have you checkes the relay in the pdc? bg

 

[Sticks]

... When she gets back she is going to pull the PDC apart and check the wiring. ...

Whoa! Proper diagnostics first!



Check battery cables and grounds.

Verify voltage at the starter and check for voltage drop.

Verify the starter is getting power at the signal line (I've come across 2 that were broken in the harness half way between the starter and the PDC

Fuse #9 in the PDC

Swap out the Starter relay in the PDC

Ignition switch is sending signal to the relay (yellow wire from the ignition to the clutch switch, yellow w/red tracer wire to the PDC relay) and fuse #10 in the PDC.



NOTE Fuses may be good but not making good contact due to corrosion or loose terminals, same with the relay.

 

[SOOT]

I have checked the relay and the fuse, they both work. I didnt have anyway to check for power at the starter solenoid. Apparently when my brother had the truck and it would do this he would hit the PDC and it would start. So im thinking its a loose wire in there. I cleaned the battery post and tightened them as well.