I am having electrical problems with my 85' Ram

Joedirt42 · Jul 15, 2014

Hey everybody, So I purchased a 1985 Dodge ram 250, with a 318 small block, and just yesterday I went to go start it, and the starter didn't engage. My radio and lights all work, but not the starter... I checked the bolts on the postive and ground, and cleaned the terminals, but no luck. What do you guys think is wrong with it? Thank you.

Etroze86 · Jul 15, 2014

Hit the starter with a deadblow while trying to turn it over. If it doesn't engage it is likely to be your starter. Can you hear the bendex spinning?

will2k520 · Jul 15, 2014

Check your battery to see if it is good, it could be weak or not grounding fully . Also, check you ignition switch, that could be bad.

Joedirt42 · Jul 15, 2014

No, The only noise the truck makes is the solenoid clicking on.

Etroze86 · Jul 15, 2014

Like will2k520 suggested your battery could be just weak enough that it won't turn the starter but can keep the lights and acc going.

Joedirt42 · Jul 15, 2014

I'll try that. Thank you.

Joedirt42 · Jul 15, 2014

Etroze86 said:
Like will2k520 suggested your battery could be just weak enough that it won't turn the starter but can keep the lights and acc going.

Okay, so. I went under and I stuck a screw driver on the positive and ground and it turned over. So I am now assuming its either the ignition switch, or the horn relay. But it runs and I can drive it, I just have to use a screw driver on the starter cables... Thank you for all your help.

Joedirt42 · Jul 15, 2014

will2k520 said:
Check your battery to see if it is good, it could be weak or not grounding fully . Also, check you ignition switch, that could be bad.

It was the switch. Thank you for the suggestion, otherwise I wouldn't have known to check that first.

crazzywolfie · Jul 16, 2014

you don't have to go under the truck to start the truck. just pop the hood and take the brown wire off the starter relay and touch it to the positive battery terminal. does the same thing as what you did by sliding under the truck but doesn't quite look as silly.

do you know how to use a test light? i would check to see of there is power getting to the orange wire at the starter relay when your trying to start the truck. you may also want to see if there is a good ground connection at the green wire. if the green wire don't have a good ground you could have a bad neutral safety switch or bad connection.

Joedirt42 · Jul 16, 2014

The only problem with that is who ever owned this truck before me butchered the wiring. I have to rewire it anyway. But for now I just lean over the fender and do like you said through the hood.

crazzywolfie · Jul 16, 2014

i am good at wiring. getting the ignition switch to make the starter do its thing would be easy as long as none of the parts are broken. i can fix butchered wiring. i even occasionally butcher my own wiring

I am having electrical problems with my 85' Ram

Joedirt42

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