I have a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 3.9L V6...and about 5 months ago I turned my truck off, and it wouldnt start 5 minutes later...after 4 hours of troubleshooting on the side of the road, and a new battery...we discovered that one of the ground cables wasnt tight in the connector. After tightening it up, problem fixed until recently. Problem happened again, this time we replaced both connectors on the battery, and the truck started instantly. Again, Problem fixed.

Recently, I thought it may be my starter, first started with slow response to key turn, then the engine would crank a few times before starting. I assumed starter, but then I started thinking it may be one of the battery cables itself. Today, I went out to start my truck, and the battery did the same thing. I turned the key on, all of my inside lights and gauges came on, but when I went to start the truck...NOTHING! (Same way it did before we replaced the battery connectors) I wiggled the connectors on the battery, and the truck started (engine still cranked a few times first)... So now I am really confused. Is it my battery? Is it the cables? Is it the starter? A combination of multiple?

I am about to give up!!! I have to take a 5 hour road trip in 2 days...and I am a little afraid to take my truck, even if I dont turn it off the entire way!

 

those battery cables aren't that expensive to replace, I'd start there.

 

is say its the battery cables too man, cuz your starter is doni it job, when its actually gettin the current to it. sometimes those cables might have to be readjusted and cleaned up with a wire brush. but you can just replace them too. and of course your battery is good still cuz its still givin enough power to turn on ur lights, it just aint sittin at the required 12v, so id say either replace those cables or take a wire brush to them.

 

[QUOTE=danielle.cook628;2207225]I have a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 3.9L V6...and about 5 months ago I turned my truck off, and it wouldnt start 5 minutes later...after 4 hours of troubleshooting on the side of the road, and a new battery...we discovered that one of the ground cables wasnt tight in the connector. After tightening it up, problem fixed until recently. Problem happened again, this time we replaced both connectors on the battery, and the truck started instantly. Again, Problem fixed.

Is this the type of connector you're using?
If so they ain't worth a flip.
Get new cables.

 

[QUOTE=charlie1935;2207597]yes those are the connectors I am using. What other ones would you suggest? And since I will be doing the changing of the cables myself, what do I do about the hot ones that go to the engine? As you can probably tell, I'm not a mechanic or even close!

 

It wouldn't hurt to check the connections at the starter. I've seen times where my car wouldn't start, all lights etc worked, but no starter. I wiggled the connections and tried beating on the starter but nothing. So had it towed, only to find out that the positive cable on the starter needed about a 1/4 turn tighter. Worked great after that. Now these connnections felt good and tight to me, but that extra little bit is what did the trick.

It only takes a couple minutes, and best of all it costs nothing! Hopefully you'll get it figured out before your trip

charlie, I like those type of battery terminals, they are a vast improvement over the stock setup, which mine still has... I am gonna replace them with that type... I'm curious as to what type would be better than those....?

 

Here is some.






Goggle this.
QuickCable: Battery Connectors, Battery Cables, and Accessories

 

Well last night we messed with the cables, and tightened the one on the starter, and it started a little quicker..but not as quickly as it should.... SO I will replace the cables, and let you know if that fixed it.

 

Before you hook up the new cables be sure to give the starter connections a good cleaning. I usually use a contact cleaner that is available at any electronics parts store, such as Radio Shack. Usually use a small wire brush with it and scrub it clean.
Then before I hook up the cables I add a little electrical contact grease, such as NO-OX-ID "A-SPECIAL", available on-line. Here is the info at the company website http://www.sanchem.com/aSpecialE.htm...FRecnAodKVVHew. Will help to keep the connections clean and protected from the elements. Also use it on the battery terminals. Or you can buy something like Permatex 31824 Bulb/Lamp & Electrical Connector Dielectric Grease. Should be able to find at the auto parts store. Be sure to do the same at your ground connections too.

 

Well, It was in fact my starter, I decided to risk the road trip, just to get the truck to a mechanic where I knew it would be fixed properly...and the starter went out at the gas station. I tapped on it, and got it to start one last time...so it was definitely the starter. I will replace the cables just in case as well, and definitely use the grease. Thank you guys so much.