I recently bought a 2007 2500 with the 5.9 cummins.

I have put about 500 miles on it. This past weekend we went for a long drive looking at campgrounds and all was going well. We stopped several times to look around, turned truck on and off a couple times as well. We stopped for ice cream on the way back. When we went to get rolling the truck would not turnover, or crank.
Interior lights worked
exterior lights worked and were bright
radio worked
air circulation fans were working...
but not a sound from the engine.I got to thinking as I thought that maybe there was something wrong with my keypad. I hit the door lock and unlock button several times on the key, and nothing. the keypad was not working at all, so I walked and got new batteries for the key thinking that maybe it was a security lockout.
New batteries and the keypad still did notwork.

Eventually my buddy came to help me out. He tested all the fuses. went through some wires, checked the starter, and he couldnt find anything wrong. he disconnected both batteries and we waited about 5 minutes to reconnect....
It started right up????????

Sounds electrical, and likely this will probably happen again!!!

Any ideas what the problem is? any ideas what needs to be done?
Check engine light never came on so I am assuming that no codes were thrown???

Please help...this is supposed to be our summer camping tow truck....cant go if I dont trust it to get us to where we are going!!!

 

bad connections at the battery terminals.
sticking starter solenoid...

key switch... ?

 

terminals were all good....we had power to everything..
Tapped the starter, did not help.

KeySwitch? what do you mean?
the lock/unlock on the key did not work at all during this time...

 

the part you insert the key to start the truck...

and connections on the battery .. a connection for 30 amps is NOT the same as a connection for 400 amps...

 

I've seen LOTS of problems with the underhood fuse/relay center, and the starter relay is probably in there, if that's the case it could have been simply a connection in there and when he did a battery disconnect he rested his arm, a tool, beer, etc...on the box and it regained its contact. The box gets corrosion inside, and it's quite expensive to replace, but I'd be looking there for sure.

 

Sounds like the security system but i dont have one and dont how they work.

 

Hi MJO21,

Sorry to hear about your concern.

There is a TSB that may be related to your concern. If this reoccurs, I recommend taking your vehicle to an FCA dealership for a formal diagnosis and referencing TSB# 08-007-08 REV. A, which is pasted below.

SUBJECT:
No Engine Crank Or No Engine Start Due To Electronic Lockup Of The WCM / SKREEM

OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves the replacement of the Wireless Control Module (WCM), and if
equipped, the replacement of the Electric Steering Column Lock (ELV). The WCM is also
referred to as the Sentry Key Remote Entry Module (SKREEM).

MODELS:
2007 - 2008 (DR/DH/D1/DC/DM) Ram Truck (1500/2500/3500/4500/5500)
2007 - 2008 (JK) Wrangler
2007 - 2008 (J1) Sebring (China)
2007 - 2008 (JS) Avenger/Sebring
2007 - 2008 (KA) Nitro
2008 (KK) Liberty/Cherokee
2007 - 2008 (MK) Compass/Patriot
2007 - 2008 (PM) Caliber
2006 - 2008 (PT) Chrysler PT Cruiser
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles built on or before May 05, 2008 (MDH
0505XX).

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer will experience a no engine crank AND a no engine start condition. Also, the remote keyless entry (RKE) system will not operate. This condition may be due to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) from the ignition key into the Wireless Control Module
(WCM), causing the WCM to electronically lockup. This condition may occur more
frequently in dry and/or cold weather conditions where a sufficient electrostatic charge is more easily produced. This condition is corrected by the replacement of the WCM.