So I have a 97 dodge ram 1500 spirt 5.9L
recently this issue has gotten worse. I'll turn the key and get power but when I go to turn it over nothing happens. No clicks no nothing. I'll usually fidget with the key back.and forth and after a few attempts I can get it to start. And when it does decide to start it starts right up no issue. However I couldn't get it to start for two days. Battery, alternator have been checked and only a couple years old. Starter is brand new. Still having issues. Please advise

 

If you wiggle the shifter does that improve its attitude?

Also might try swapping the starter relay for the horn relay, see if that helps.

 

I never really messed with the shifter in my attempts but I'll try switching the relays!

 

swapped the relays and not much luck

 

Do you hear the relay click when you turn the key to start? If not, try starting in neutral.

 

I don't know about you guys, but I seem to always have to reseat my battery connection every 8-12 mo or so. I'll have this same problem and it'll be the connections to the battery post that end up doing it for me.

 

Yeah I tried that and it didn't really change much. But now however when I get the starter to kick on it has a hard time starting. Where as before once the starter kicked on it started right up. It now has a new starter and relay. Battery was tested and it good. Checked grounds and cleaned them. Still having issues

 

Starter draw test? (local parts store should be able to do that for you.)

Starter grounds thru the engine/trans, did you clean the mounting surface really well?

 

Yes I cleaned all that up but haven't done the starter draw test