Hey can anyone tell me why all the sudden my truck won't start? It was driving fine all day and I parked it at the hotel for the night, went out to start it and it then stopped immediatley.Tried to start again but it would not. 97 Ram 2500 4x4 HD 5.9 V8 Auto Optima gel battery. Temps are cold and it is rainy up here. Someone please help! Faulty electrical or battery maybe?

 

Let's start with the battery. If you turn the key to the 'on' position (don't start it), what does the battery gauge read? When you do try to start it, does it turn over at all? If the battery's pretty low, you should probably get a jump and see if the alternator charges the battery.

 

the gauge reads 12-13 for the ON position, when I was driving it today (about 200 miles) the guage read 15

 

and yest it will turn over

 

Can you hear the fuel pump running? does it have gas? Also check the plug wires and the distributer.

 

How many times does it turn over? Does the battery charge drop way down when you try to start it? Do you have it in park or neutral?

 

It was the fuel pump. Do they normally run about 300 bucks? I'm looking at a 500 charge with labor...and I just put in a new water pump last week for 650...dammit man

 

a water pump for 650?! holy crap! I just had mine done and it was $310 with everything!

 

Holy **** 650... You need to either shop around for a better price or do some of the work yourself. I got a brand new water pump for $90 and an hour or so of my time.