Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum. I'm hoping someone out there can help me out with my new problem on an old truck. I have a 98 Ram 1500 that I bought for my 16 year old son to use eventually. It's been ok so far, a few little issues to have fixed. I had been using it daily and park it outside in the cold temps of an Illinois winter when out of the blue I went to start it the next day and, even though I had accessories and lights working in the cab, the starter only clicked, no turn over. I took the battery out and hooked it up to the charger but it showed it was fully charged. Not trusting that, I took it to a battery store and they also fully tested it and said it was in fine condition. They thought perhaps I didn't have the contacts tight enough (even though it had worked fine the night before). So I reinstalled the battery, cleaned the cables and their terminals til they were shiny new and tightened everything very well. Still only got a clicking sound. When I persisted and kept trying to start it for 5 seconds I noticed a fine wisp of white smoke come off the positive terminal of the battery. That's where I stop and ask for help! I don't want a battery exploding! Any suggestions or help will be GREATLY appreciated!! I looked this up on the web and there were suggestions to check the starter by hitting it with a hammer a few times but I can't even locate it ( I know what it looks like but for the life of me, looking down into the engine compartment I can't see the darned thing. Where is it!?!?) Thank you!!!

 

Driver side down low and towards the back of the motor, where it meets the tranny.

 

try getting under it.. might work better... and by the way... A 1998 IS NOT AN OLD TRUCK!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You are right bud! It's VERY old!

 

Turn on the headlights, have someone stand in front of the truck while you turn the key. If the lights go out, you've got a battery problem. If they stay on, you've got a starter problem.

 

Someone else told me that the "wisp of smoke" meant there was a loose connection to the battery cables so I took them apart again, even though they looked clear of buildup and scrubbed the living daylights out of them with steel wool and baking soda paste. After reconnecting, it started right up!!! Yeah for me!! LOL! I drove it into town and bought some grease to apply to the terminals so I don't get any more build up/corrosion and hopefully that will solve the problem. I bought this in October and I was afraid I'd bought someone elses money pit because I've had several "little things" fail on it that each were about $100-200 and anything I can do myself to repair it will help. I'm so glad I found this forum. Even though I'm a female and didn't grow up learning how to fix mechanical things, I have a strong urge to learn and will teach myself if I can. This forum will really help. And oh, I KNOW my truck isn't old....that's just how my daughter refers to it so that's what I called it. Between it and my hubbies' 2007 Durango, I'd rather drive the "old truck". Must be a little 'redneck' in me! Thanks again everyone!

 

Congrats, glad you got your VERY old truck running.