Please help.. truck wont start....

[sentrek]

My sons truck is broke down (again), this time in the walmart parking lot.
Starter doesnt do anything when you turn the key. This happened once before about 10 days ago and I wiggled the power wire and tapped the solenoid with a hammer and it started right up and didnt have any issues since then, but tonight I can not get it to do anything. I cleaned the connection on the power wire and tighted it up, and nothing, I tapped on it some more and still nothing. I took the starter off and took it to oreillys and had them test it and they said it was good. I tried a new starter relay and that didn't do it either. I am at a loss. I did not try jumping it because the lights are bright and the stereo and everything was fine and the fact that the starter doesn't even click like it would if it was a dead or dying battery. Any thoughts?
99 Ram 1500, 5.2, auto 4x4. About 1500 miles on the new motor.

 

[MADDOG]

Did you check the ground connections?

 

[sentrek]

No yet, have to go back tomorrow when its daylight. Is there a specific ground that might be the cause of a no crank?

 

[tap4154]

I'm not familiar with the 99 Ram, but my 2000 F150 did that, and it turned out the starter relay was going bad. It was mounted on the firewall and I got it started by putting a screwdriver across the posts. The posts had rubber caps over them, so I just removed those to access the metal posts.

Edit: I just did a quick search and this video might help you out. It turns out that the Ram relay is in the relay box, and this guy explains how you might be able to get it started if that's what the problem is. His is a 1998, but I'm assuming it was the same for the 1999.

Dodge Ram 1500 Starter Relay and Fuel Pump Relay location - 1998

Using this 1998 Dodge Ram 1500, I point out to you the location of the fuel pump relay and also the starter relay. I'll show you other relays you can swap with.

youtu.be

 

[sentrek]

Thanks. I actually replaced the starter relay but that didnt work either.

 

[tap4154]

Thanks. I actually replaced the starter relay but that didnt work either.

Oh, I didn't completely read your post, I missed that you tried that. Only 1500 miles on a new motor, I wonder if something is loose somewhere? Maybe the neutral safety switch?

 

[sentrek]

I dont know, I will try checking the grounds and battery cables ect. I guess but I never get so lucky that it is something simple like that.

 

[tap4154]

Neutral safety switch, maybe check that?

 

[sentrek]

I thought about that, I need to figure out how to test it before i just start replacing parts.

 

[Rob2gen]

Try putting it in neutral (set parking brake). If that doesn't work, move the column shifter through all the gears... then back into park. That tranny cable has to be adjusted once in awhile as the trucks get older (I have an 01). Good luck

 

[sentrek]

We got it, i just put it in 1st and then back through all the gears back to neutral and it started. and then I shut it off and put the other bolt back in the starter (because I removed it to have it tested last night) and then it started while it was still in park. I will adjusting the cable and see what happens. If that don't work I guess I will order a new safety switch. Or maybe just wire up a push button on the dash.
I wish I would have known to try that last night versus crawling around on the ground in the freezing cold.

 

[tap4154]

We got it, i just put it in 1st and then back through all the gears back to neutral and it started. and then I shut it off and put the other bolt back in the starter (because I removed it to have it tested last night) and then it started while it was still in park. I will adjusting the cable and see what happens. If that don't work I guess I will order a new safety switch. Or maybe just wire up a push button on the dash.
I wish I would have known to try that last night versus crawling around on the ground in the freezing cold.

I saw a video where they had intermittent issues with it starting, and it was the neutral safety switch. When it's a little warmer you might get under there and just make sure it's connected well. I don't think it's an expensive part, it should be pretty easy to replace.

 

[sentrek]

I replaced the safety switch this morning. We'll see what happens I guess...

 

[Marshall]

A test light can be handy when crawling about in the snow to see if you have any power at the starter. ( hammer as well)