1990 RamVan B250 Won't start
 

Ok I have so far had tested and replaced the starter, alternator and had the battery tested and tested good. I turn the ignition key and all I get is CLICK CLICK CLICK. Now the battery has the post adapters that screw on the top to make it a usable battery. I just cannot understand the problem and any suggestions are more than welcome. I really don't want to spend a further fortune unless I need to. I was also wondering IF this could be a starter relay problem, or could it be the battery cables. I did replace the negative end with a brass fitting and the positive is tight and looks fine.
Oh and the engine size is 318 any other questions just ask.

Thanks

Lee

RE: 1990 RamVan B250 Won't start
 

This happened to my old truck once, the cables were loose and not enough current was flowing to turn the starter over. Check your connections, all of them, tighten them, if that doesn't work... Use a thick wire to bypass the relay, if that fixes the problem, it's your relay.

RE: 1990 RamVan B250 Won't start
 

Could be the chassis end of the battery cable is dirty/loose/dammaged.

RE: 1990 RamVan B250 Won't start
 

Took the starter off and replaced it with another rebuilt, replaced both the bendix hot and starter hot leads along with brass cable ends. The starter relay was replaced just to make sure. I know the engine is good because it has only sat about a month and was running fantastic before all this occured. I have checked and rechecked, now a funny occurance has raised its head, when I turn the key the speedometer bounces from zero to around 40 and drops when I loose the key.
To recap every thing darn near has been replaced battery cables, battery, alternator, starter, starter relay, still click click click. Any one with any clues please.

To those who posted thanks a ton and yes I tried your ideas and again thanks.

Doc

RE: 1990 RamVan B250 Won't start
 

hey, did you check for spark? stick a sredriver into a wire and while sombody turns it over look for spark jumping. Might even be weak spark so amke sure it is good enough to ignite the fuel

o yea, listen to see if fuel pump is going, or pull the air cleaner off i think you should be able to see a cone shaped spray

RE: 1990 RamVan B250 Won't start
 

I think what doc is trying to say, is it will NOT turn over (only click, click).


Doc,

What I was trying to have you check, is the end of the battery cablethat goes to the engine block (or chassis). Yes by all means, change the less than $20 part before going on.

Also, if the hot (red) cable is dammaged internaly, you will not get enough juice to the starter.

You could also have a short draining your AMPs, in effect robbing your CCA's from the starter. I once had a battery internaly short the plates (only under load) bowed causing a short. This prevented the starter from cranking. Turn on the radio, or low voltage internal lights, and try to crank. See if the lights or radio are affected.

RE: 1990 RamVan B250 Won't start
 

Correct in that it will not crank at all, also has anyone ever heard of Hydrolock? I have heard of Vapor lock, the reason I ask is that after checking all the voltages and getting at the starter 12.8 and the same at the battery that tells me that the juice is flowing, and when I remove the starter and ground it it does exactly what a starter is supposed to do. I tried to turn the engine using the harmonic balancer and a socket and breaker bar and nothing not even a small amount, tried it with two of us same result. I ask a mechanic that works at the dodge dealership (I realize that is no guarentee of expertise) he seemed to know what the deal was and said it was aqua lock when air goes thru the radiator cap and forces liquid into the cylinders and that the only way to fix the problem is to have the engine machine flushed and oil changed and antifreeze changed. Anyone else ever heard of this?

RE: 1990 RamVan B250 Won't start
 

if you have hydrolock the cost torepair to your van will be more than its worth. IF this is the problem, and you havent been driving through the freakin ocean lately, it means that yes youve got a cracked headgasket and water has been sucked in during the downstroke and then the piston goes back up - a little water escapes through where it came in - but once th epicton head passes that area it all over. Stuff is gonna be bent an probably corroded.

I dont have any experience with this, but if it is the case, shouldnt yoube able to drain the combustion chamber just by pulling out the sparkplug and using, say an inkjet refillersyringe to suck the water out? You could also by the big one gallon jugs of WD (which stasnds for Water Displacing) 40 and dump some in to aid the flushing. If your lucky that nothing is ruined things might be ok. So pull all the plugs and look for water.

if that isnt it take the starter out, put it in a vise, and give it juice to see if she really works i guess...Also check all wires and connections soemtimes big problems have small sources.

RE: 1990 RamVan B250 Won't start
 

Pull all the sparkplugs and crank.See if it will turn over and watch what comes out.

RE: 1990 RamVan B250 Won't start
 

have you checked the to see if any of the belts are froze to a pulley it kinda sounds like the crank has siezed sometimes when an engine sets that has a lot of miles on it the mains sieze to the crank .pull the dipstick and see what the oil looks like if the head gasket is blown the oil will look like it has milk in it. have you tried to puting it in nuetral and turning the engine.put it lowest gear and push the van a little