Archived No Start Condition

[BSoldie]

I need help please! Earlier this evening I was plowing snow with my 97 2500. I noticed the "ABS", "AIRBAG," and "BRAKE," idiot lights all glowing on the instrument panel. I thought that I might have tripped a sensor somehow plowing over the rough pavement. There appeared not to be any problems with the truck at this time. Then I noticed that the blower for the fan wasn't working either, yet the defroster was in the "on" position, and I could here the clutch on the A/C compressor engaging and disengaging but no air was coming out of the vents. I shut the truck off to see if it would reset itself, then it would not restart. I just replaced the fuel shutoff solenoid. My battery connections are both tight and clean, howver, my left side positive terminal battery cable was a little loose. I tightened it and tried jump starting the truck with another truck that was on site just in case I was getting enough juice out of my batteries. The truck still won't even crank. A single faint click is heard once only when the ignition key is turned to start. The two solenoids on the driver side fender appear in good condition as well. All fuses checked out okay, as did the relays in the relay/fuse box in the engine compartment. I was wondering if anyone could help me as the truck is now stranded on site.

 

[MikeR]

To me it sounds like your batteries are toast, and unless the jump start vehicle has the same or bigger battery capacity, I don't think you'll get it jump started.

 

[BSoldie]

Originally posted by MikeR

To me it sounds like your batteries are toast, and unless the jump start vehicle has the same or bigger battery capacity, I don't think you'll get it jump started.

Thank you for your reply MikeR. The lights and other accessories still work well, however, maybe there just isn't enough juice to crank it over? The jump truck that I used was a 99 Ram with a 3. 9 V-6.

 

[DieselB59]

A while back, I lost both batteries totally due to a faulty alarm system. It was 2am. I was 30 miles from home. The local police dept dispatched the local tower, who didn't have enough power to start my truck. He called one of his other trucks and that one had a higher output jump pack that was just able to get it going. It was okay to ride to the shop, but would not restart once shut off. Did you check your main alternator fuse and the fusible links in that engine mounted fusebox too?

 

[Paul Herioux]

Brian,

Sounds like you have a tosted ignition switch. The switch isn't to bad to change, the covers on the column have three screws from the bottom, either phillips or T20. The switch is held on with three T20 screws, if it is still original one of them may be a security torx with the pin in the center. Check the coonector really close too, they tend to melt down. There was a recall on the ignition switches on some of the first gens but I can't remember if it cover the 97's.

Good luck.

 

[BSoldie]

Originally posted by Paul Herioux

Brian,

Sounds like you have a tosted ignition switch. The switch isn't to bad to change, the covers on the column have three screws from the bottom, either phillips or T20. The switch is held on with three T20 screws, if it is still original one of them may be a security torx with the pin in the center. Check the coonector really close too, they tend to melt down. There was a recall on the ignition switches on some of the first gens but I can't remember if it cover the 97's.

Good luck.

Well, I replaced the ignition switch last night and much to my suprise, the truck remains the same. It was really easy to swap in the new one. I did run a test light on the wiring harness going into the switch and it glowed brightly and all appeared well. I also ran a test light on the two fusible links leaving the driver side battery, and again the light glowed brightly. I did not check the fuse off the alternator. however, my ampmeter reads normal ( about 14-15 ) while the truck is running. I will check this tomorrow. The local diesel shop said they think that it may be the computer because sometimes the weatherstripping falls off ( as mine does) and allows water to penetrate on and into the computer, thus frying it. Why is it that every time I get ready start adding more power to my truck, something stupid like this happens and derails it?!

 

[BSoldie]

Originally posted by BSoldie





Well, I replaced the ignition switch last night and much to my suprise, the truck remains the same. It was really easy to swap in the new one. I did run a test light on the wiring harness going into the switch and it glowed brightly and all appeared well. I also ran a test light on the two fusible links leaving the driver side battery, and again the light glowed brightly. I did not check the fuse off the alternator. however, my ampmeter reads normal ( about 14-15 ) while the truck is running. I will check this tomorrow. The local diesel shop said they think that it may be the computer because sometimes the weatherstripping falls off ( as mine does) and allows water to penetrate on and into the computer, thus frying it. Why is it that every time I get ready start adding more power to my truck, something stupid like this happens and derails it?!

TO DIESELB59,

I checked all the fuses and relays in the box on the driver's side fender and they were all okay. I was wondering if the main alternator fuse was the 30 amp one located in the front and center of the enging compartment fuse box? If not, would this item be located nearer or on the alternator? Thanks in advance.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

I had the same problem with my 1st gen. Had a fusible link ALMOST burned thru , replaced it all was well. You might check under the hood for a bad relay or a large fuse cooked. I know thats a shot in the dark but you never know.

Kyle

 

[BSoldie]

Originally posted by CrewCabDiesel

I had the same problem with my 1st gen. Had a fusible link ALMOST burned thru , replaced it all was well. You might check under the hood for a bad relay or a large fuse cooked. I know thats a shot in the dark but you never know.

Kyle

Finally got to the bottom of my no start problem. After countless hours of testing and consideration, and even bringing my truck to the local diesel shop, it turned out to be a bad 40 amp starter relay fuse. The fuse was broken very far down the line, almost undetectable to the untrained eye ( obviously me!). The boys at MASSDIESEL came through for me in about 5 minutes and got me back on my way. Many thanks to them and to all who shared concern and offered help to me with my problem. Haven't had any problems since the fix, even after running the truck contineuously for 15 hrs in last night's snow storm where it performed flawlessly.