Totally shut down three times in the last month. No warning or sputter just shut off. No electrical power for anything: instrument lights, horn, gages, headlights, brakelights, etc. Started right back up and all seemed fine. Last time was about a week ago.

However, this morning came out to go to work tried to start and nada. No clicks or any other sounds except I thought I may have heard a bing or two from the door chime..then nothing. Absolutely DEAD.

 

check the grounds off your batt. make shure all the cables are tight

 

download the manual from the "Merry Christmass" thread at the top of the forum and have a look at the electrical diagrams... chances are you have an intermittant short somewhere causing the problem. You can try to swap the ASD relay with another one to see if that's the problem but I kinda doubt it since it's not going to shut off all electrical... another thing to look at is your power distribution box located between the battery & fuse box. make sure there is nothing loose or potentially shorting...

 

Two things to check. This has happenedto me a few times. Last week it was just the positive battery cable had come loose. Before that it was the red wire in the ignition switch harness. If you take off the shroud from the steering column, you can access the wiring harnessess for the ignition switch, the multi function switch (wipers,t-signals, hi-beams, etc.) and the driver side airbag. The wires tend to break right at the connectors if they weren't crimped well at the factory. You can find other threads in here mentioning similar problems. Anyway, if you're careful (and if this is your problem), you can recrimp the ends back on. It's not easy, and it doesn't last very long, but it will get you down the road.
The repair kit was upwards of $100 for the ign. switch, and a little over $200 for the multi function switch kit, if, and it's a big if, you can find them. Oh, and it seems to be use of the tilt wheel that leads to the breakage. Another great Dodge design!

 

Check the connector on the alternator. The electrical connector that's held on by a bolt can get rusty. Apply di-electic grease there and to your battery terminals. Replace terminals if they are too corroded. Also inspect your wires on the starter for the same type of problem. Just a little rust or looseness can cause arcing or a short in some cases.

 

Thanx!!! Checked cables and found the positive cable corroded up into the wire. Also was able to lift the negative cable right off the battery post. Replaced the positive cable and cleaned/tightemed the negative cable. She is running great once again. Thanx for the advice..it was spot on.
Rick (aka mbydck)

 

Hi all. I am having an electrical issue with my 95 Ram. It keeps blowing the main engine fuse. I can change it. Truck will run for a few minutes and die or will instantly arc and melt.All other electrical items work normally. Ex boyfriend said wires on steering colume look almost rusted thru and could be my issue. cant afford a new wiring harness from dodge so what to do.
I have checked and replaced both battery cables from the battery to their main connections at starter etc...I bought the truck used & there was some sort of wiring under the hood thatwas disconnected but all the ends of the wires are taped. This seem to have been for a large and expensive stereo system.truck has run great for over 3 years.
I thought it was the ignition switch so bought a new one but when I installed it wouldnt even turn over. Put the old switch back in and it starts but still have same fuse blowing issue.[sm=sigh.gif]HelP!

I do have some of thesame issues as I've read on other thread such as the cracked dash, aslo have an issue with wheel bearings going out. I have been told that is due to the wide tires and inset wheels on the truck. I will change them someday soon but for now its new wheel bearings about 2 times per year.