Replaced dash --- now my 1998 ram doesn't turnover.
 

I am not a mechanic and this is my first attempt to work on my truck. I basically took the entire inside of the cab out. Pulled the dash out and reinstalled it. I went to start it after feeling like I did an amazing job and it will not turn over. My expert (joking) opinion is that it thinks it is not in park.

can someone possibly give a new guy some help? I would appreciate it

Ryan.

Try wiggling the shifter while you try and start it, also might try starting in neutral.

I got a new transmission, and now I have to start my truck in neutral sometimes. Maybe try that.

I tried your ideas above with no joy. I did take a bit more time to diagnose the issue. When the batteries are attached and I pull the light switch out the gauges light up and the dome light comes on but the headlights do not. I must have connected some connectors incorrectly under the dash.

i took the dash out to replace the crappy brittle one in it. Since it was out I took the seats out, door panels out, carpet...... I figured while I was there.... well my wife has not stopped laughing at me since. Oak mechanically inclined but have a real blind spot for cars.

this weekend I'll get back under the newly installed dash and see what I screwed up. Any help is truly appreciated. The longer this goes the louder the laughter will get. Thank you all. Ryan

Do you have a service manual for your truck yet?? If not, get one from here. In the electrical section, they have some really nice diagrams of all the dash connectors, including pinouts.... That should help significantly. :D

I have it and will start the process on Saturday. The connectors under the dash seemed very straight forward. Seemed like it was pretty hard to screw it up.

I have found that on the jobs that I think are "hard to screw up", I still manage to find a way. :D

The linkage is probably mis adjusted. Try jumping out the neutral safety switch, If it starts then hook it back to the switch and see if it starts. Could be the switch is on it's way out also.

First and foremost, thank you to everyone that gave up some of your time to help,me figure out my issue. It is much appreciated. Here what turned out to be the issue. It's not one of my better moments. The large connector going into the engine area was not tightened down as much as it needed it to be..........yep I did that.
the Truck runs great again.

thanks to everyone and please stop laughing :)

Thanks for posting your solution. I have to replace my lower dash with a donor I picked up in the not-too-distant future, so I will keep your solution in mind.. :D