'99 ram 1500 4x4 5.9L auto trans

Truck will not start. I have confirmed battery is fresh and have tried 2 different batteries. Battery connections look good. I have also installed a new alternator, but this did not fix the problem.

When you turn the key, it either clicks once or does nothing, then all these weird electrical clicking noises start. One is behind the dash, one by the gas pedal and one where the seatbelt comes out of the drivers seat.

Any help ya'll could provide would be greatly appreciated!

 

sounds like a fuse, check your fuse pannel under the hood, not the dash. Theres a white fuse right where the pos/neg battery wires meet, check an see if it's blown.

 

i'm guessing here without actually looking in the pdc box, so take this with a grain of salt.

if you turn on the headlights before starting, are they bright ?
if you leave the headlights on when you turn the ignition to Start, do the the lights dim just a tad, or a LOT ? dimming a lot indicates the starter is drawing a lot of amps. dimming just a tad indicates its not.

when you turn the ignition to Start, do you hear a solid metallic clunk under your feet, about where the starter is? that would be the solenoid throwing the bendix out.

check in the pdc box for a starter relay. swap it out with any other similar looking relay. make sure you have power on the right leg when key is turned to start. this should make one little CLICK.

check the connections on the starter itself. make sure the big wire is tight, and the little connection is plugged in.

one other possibility is the neutral safety switch lockout. auto trans must be in park or neutral in order to activate the starter circuit. if this is bad, the starter relay will never get power. i think thats the only built in lockout. it near the front of the trans, drivers side, behind all the linkage. electrical connector on the end. sort of hard to get to.

if you have a remote start or security system, give that some thought.

if nothing else obvious appears, remove starter and bench test it with a battery or battery charger or parts store test.

 

have you resolved this issue? i am having the same problem

 

After nine years? I would certainly hope so. Not that it would matter, if you notice, he is a one post wonder. Posts his question, then vanishes, never to be seen again.

Start a new thread, detailing YOUR problem, and what you have already tried as far as parts and troubleshooting.

 

Hello
I reviewed this thread but it doens't apply the same symptoms, I have checked all fuse,relays and replaced the starter/solenoid,but it will not crank. You can jump start it across the starter or relay port,but nothing with the ignition switch itself and all guages/light activate with the ignition switch. Also I temporarily connected a new ignition switch to the underdash port and nothing again. Lastly I had replaced the backup light switch on the trans a few weeks ago and seems to be discrepancy from the parts aspect, as both the neutral safety switch and back up maybe the same, but can't confirm due to information available. There's another switch near the backup switch mounted vertically with 6 pin connector and schematics indicate it controls the trans solenoid.

Any opinion or suggestions, as what to seek next here?

Truly appreciate any advice, as I'm stumped.
9/17/23

 

What are you driving?

 

Only 5 speeds have "back up" switch, Autos use one switch for both i believe. Print i have shows it in two different places. One for reverse lights and one for the starter circuit. You need a ground going threw the switch for the starter relay to engage. No ground=no crank.

 

Oops that would help ID the vehicle and thought I did ,but under this duress I forgot. " The Vehicle in dicussion is 1998 Dodge B2500 Van with 5.9L Auto Trans"

 

Moparite thank you for your response and advice! First of all, this is B2500 Van 5.9L Auto Trans.

Yes it seems confusing about the Backup Light and Neutral Switch. Diagram shows it on the real drivers side of the trans and from ALLDATADIY it indicates one of the components in the chain that may interupt the start circuit. Since I have listed my efforts in the original thread, would you suspect a grounding strap somewhere could be the culprit and would you know where those are located? I realize a weak or lost ground is a major issue with electronic components, but after removing the Start Relay and using a power probe, was able to start the engine at that port with the Ignition On, so if it will start that way, would that symptom direct you to another area? I'm wondering if the EDM may be suspect?
Thank you for your response and opinion on my list here, plus suggestions are highly appreciated too!