Hello all,
1999 RAM Van 5.2L

Has always started up just fine.
The other day after several shopping stops it simply would not crank over.

When I turn the key, I hear 1 ( one) click. Seems to be the solenoid plunger coming out but the starter motor won't spin the engine.

-- I replaced the entire starter - no help

-- Replaced the relay inside the black box by the overflow tank - no help.

-- Headlights, horn interior lights etc. etc. seem to be strong.

-- Tried jumping it but no help.

Is there an additional (starter) solenoid I am not seeing?
I was told there is one mounted on the firewall....but the dealer has nothing showing this?

Is it possible that battery is strong enough to power the lights etc., but not strong enough to crank the engine - even with a jump? I have not tested the battery ( I have no tester)


As mentioned, this happened all of a sudden - without warning, and the typical "clicking" sound a low/dead battery provides is not there. just the sound of the solenoid plunger.

Any ideas, suggestions?

 

Even if the battery was weak, the jump start should've made some difference, unless the cables were junk.
Assuming for the moment that your battery and jumper cables are good, I'd suspect a bad battery cable or that one end of one of them is not making a good connection.

FYI, older models hadthe starter relay on the firewall, but in your year there is just the solenoid on the starter and the relay in the power distribution center. Both of which you've already changed.

 

You should be able to short the solonid wire to the battery at the starter relay so you can be in the engine compartment to hear if your click is really that or instead some other electrical discharge arc. Check also the other end of the starter motor wire. the solonoid goes to the starter relay, and the starter motor is always hot connected to the battery.It could also be that you have a falty starter, since the only ones available are reman ones. You could just have a lemon.

 

IGadget and alloro,

Thanks for your replies.
Got it figured out just about an hour ago.

2 things...not sure how relevant each was.
(1) We thought there was a break in the cable but threw a tester lead on it and all appeared well.

Cables at the battery end were pretty corroded ( inside) the connection, especially that cable that goes to the starter.
On the ouside they were clean...inside was a mess.
Got that all cleaned up.

(2) Threw a tester on the battery. It showed 12.6 volts no load. 11.5 volts with headlamp load.

Thought for sure the battery was OK. On a whim, took it to a local shop and although the volts were normal, the CCAs were only 569 outa 700.

Went and bought a new battery and she fired right up like it never happened.


We initially did try to jump it - 2 seperate people, 2 seperate jump batteries. Decent cables both times.
I really had the battery ruled out.


I've never seen a situation like this where the starter wouldn't atleast try to spin a little ( that tick-tick-tick sound) As mentioned, there was only one click - the plunger pushing the gear out.

Even with the 569 CCAs, I woulda thought it would still be able to spin the engine...albeit slow/no start.

This is a new one to me.

Are Chrysler starters still high-torque as they used to be years ago?
Kinda scary to think it needs the full 850 CAs or 700CCAs to turn it over. lol.

 

I've got a 900CCA batter in my 2001 Ram Van/Wagon.

 

I got tired of the weak batterys and threw a 1000 cca battery in for the additional 115m reserve it had. I still manage to kill one every three years or so. A 34a should still fit on the battery tray.

 

Yeah,
I'm sorry now that I didn't get the larger CCAs.
The battery dimentions were larger and of course I didn't measure before I headed to the store.

Seemed too big. But you're right...I will fit no sweat.

Next replacement, no doubt I'll go for the most powerful/largest possible.