Just went out to start my 1998 Dakota 6cyl sport and it is very dead. Drove it just a few hours ago with no issues. When I turn the key nothing happens. No turn of the starter, no fuel pump, no interior or exterior lights. I checked the battery and connections and the small indicator light on the battery is green and the connections are relatively tight - though I could pull the positive lead off if I worked it.

There was a muffled ticking sound from under the dash and it would start once I removed the key. If I inserted the key and tried the ignition, the sound would stop.

The battery is old, but hadn't given me any indication that it was wearing out. Any thoughts? Thanks for the help!

 

How old is the battery? Have you checkedthe voltage on itwith a volmeter?The hydrometer can show green and it still be a bad battery. Dakota's are really sensitive to low voltage. Even if just one cell in the battery is bad it still won't start. Anything below 12 volts on the battery and there is no start.Dumb question but have you tried to jump start or substitute a known good battery?

Do you have lights when you are not trying to start the truck? If so that's another sign of a bad battery.The ticking sound may be from the Central Timer Module or an alarm system going haywire because of low voltage. I'm not sure if 98's had a CTM.Does the truck even have an alarm installed?

Jimmy

 

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