I have a 1994 dodge ram 1500 360 auto transmission. Last week I ran through some deep water and well thats when this all began. I noticed the next day that the battery acted like it was dead when i turned over the key. I tried to start it agin twice and the third time it started right up as if the battery charged it's self. After 4 of five days went by i thought maybe something just got wet until today. I went to the gas station and it started right up as I wasw leaving home. After filling the tank the problem happened again. It did rain last night but the truck did not go through any rain as it did not move. Once I was ready to leave the gas station the truck did not start. I noticed the lights and gauges were all very dim i tried the key several times and still nothing. After waiting almost 20 minutes the truck finally started and had no problem the rest of the day. I tested the battery and it had about 13 volts when the truck was off and about 14 when running connections look good and there is not problem when running. It just seems that something maybe taking voltage when the key is turned over. I hope someone may have an idea about what is happening I really just want my good reliable truck back.

 

Sounds like you damaged your starter. More specifically the contacts on the slip rings to brushes. Depending on your particular skill you could either disassemble the starter and clean up the contact surface with 800 grit or finer sand paper or just buy a new starter.

 

Wow am I relieved the problem turned out to be a bad battery clamp. I replaced both and truck is running great. Thanks for you help.

 

OK I didn't expect for that to be the problem after your explaination of prior events leading up to your problem. LOL. Glad you got it worked out.

 

Here is another question for you! What do you think the pourpose of the fiberglass cover on the aluminum drive shaft is? mine may have flew off the other day. The truck runs and drives fine the drive shaft is just not covered? What do you think?

 

Front or rear shaft? If it was the front then i would suspect it was covering the slip joint to protect from contamination or something of that nature. If it was the rear shaft i have no idea.

 

It was the rear shaft and i could not find any other reason other than to protect the aluminum from rocks and other roads hazzards it is all one piece so I can not see a reason for it other than that.

 

I would have to agree with you that it was for debris protection.