Here's my problem...

Bought an 87 ram 150, 5.2L, 2WD a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't wanting to start when it was really cold, so I assumed it was the battery (550 CCA and an unknown age). so I had that replaced along with my plug wires and distributor cap. (was intending on doing the plugs as well but it died already). Started just fine and drove for a day or so, when it decided not to even try to turn over. The accessory power works, headlights/brights/signals/radio/foglights etc all work. I was told it was probably the starter, so I replaced that, still nothing. when the key is in and turned, I get the buzz and the brake light, then, when I try to crank it, I hear one click (which sounds like it's coming from close to the cab on the passenger side), then nothing. My battery cables don't look so good, but everything else seems to be getting power. Also tried to jump it with no success whatsover. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,
Paul

 

Do the lights ect dim or go out when you try to crank it? Check your neg bat cable where it attaches to the block for corrosion & poor contact. Also a bad set of bat cables can cause this as you get enough amps for small loads (lights ect) but when you start drawing the big juice, the straw is too small and then nothing except the click of the starter solinoid.

PS when you replaced the starter, how was the end of the red battery cable looking down there?

 

Turns out it was the Neutral Safety Switch (NSS) after all, also, Autozone gave me a bad starter (it would spin but not engage). So I put the old starter back on and it started right up, then the next time I tried starting it, it gave me nothing, so I put it in neutral and it fired right up. Any suggestions on fixing the NSS????