Greetings. I have a 2000 Ram 1500 van, 3.9L. My daughter left the drivers door cracked all night -- the second time in a week. When I opened it this morning I heard an electrical type sound under the dash, perhaps a muted buzzer, but I don't think so. No power, all lights dead. Just jumped it, let it sit to charge, and it's turning over rapidly for many seconds but won't start (not yet sure about firing). Could it be that it's not getting enough juice? Thinking I'll hook up a charger although I had appointments this pm. Would any other issue come to mind? I'm not up to date on modern electronics and a little worried that if I look for a spark that I could short something out. As I understand it there is no fuel pump reset in ignition switch? Any and all thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

 

These engines act funny if they don't get all the power they want. Put it on a charger for a while. Get the battery as fully charged as you have time for. Try it again.

 

Thanks Hey You. I wire brushed the terminals and clamp fittings, and it reluctantly started after missing and spitting for about 5 seconds. I should put it on a charger, but the van has one of the high output alternators, so I'm letting it bring up the battery a bit more.

 

That's more effective than a battery charger anyway.

Glad ya got it started.

 

You're right about that. I let it idle for about 30 minutes jumped from an old Volvo 240. Then it still wouldn't go even though it seemed to crank fast and long, but no start. Then I cleaned the contacts, and it went. We just drove about 10 miles. Slapped the charger on it just now and it was 100%.