So I went to start my truck up and the starter solenoid started rapidly clicking like a machine gun. When I took the key out the radio stayed on and the solenoid continued to click every few seconds.

A few days go by and the battery doesn't work at all. So I go buy a new battery and now the engine turns over and starts for a fraction of a second but dies immediately.

If I give it gas I can get it running but if I let off the gas it dies.

There seems to be a very light amount of smoke coming from the exhaust but it could just be from starting up after sitting for a few days.

I don't have any idea what could be wrong but my suspicion is a serious loss of compression in the engine but that would be too coincidenal since the battery died right at the same time. My other thought was the ignition switch but why would that drain the battery?

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT 5.9L 4wd ext cab sh-bed.

Any help is appreciated

 

You must've found out the problem by now, but something similar happened to me, to make a long story short i ended up buying a new battery and starter, then the guys at advanced auto told me it was my alternator when in fact it was just a bad battery cable...

 

I have 01 Lamarine Ram 1500 5.9 v8 I drove it and in morning went to start it dash lights come on then when I try to start it just one click noise nothing more. I've bought battery , I've check ground wires, check fuse inside and under hood, I've banged on starter and took it in to get tested (passed) I've changed terminals . Auto store clerk told me to switch fuses under hood (black square). I haven't yet . Would you have any ideas what I should do or check need the help . Anybody thank you