Hey Guys, i've got an intermittent starting problem on my 96 Ram. Sometimes the truck won't start when i turn the key forward. The accessories have power but it won't turn over. I wiggle the wheel around and move the gear selecter (auto/column) and then it turns over and fires. I'm wondering if it's the starter relay switch....any ideas ?

Thanks, Ron

 

i had an extremely similar problem..... it did that kind of thing for about 3 weeks then finally one morning it just wouldnt start at all. had to get a new starter. may wanna check it out before you get somewhere you dont wanna be when it wont start.

 

Check the park/nuetral switch and the starter like said above. Next time it won't start, get a hammer and wack the starter a few times. It that does the trick I'd start looking for a starter.

 

this might sound odd but you can also check your batter terminals..if they arnt tight they will supply enough voltage to run your accesories but it may give you a click sound or a failure during startup... arcs itself and doesnt provide a good enough connection for the amount of amperege a starter requires... also a relay... check the relay .. the relay should be the same as a few other relays in the PDC (power distribution center,,, large fuze box that its next to the battery) if you notice the same size relay thats right next to the starter relay..swap the two then try it..if it works then you can suspect a relay... but normally boshe style relays are manufactured quite well and rarley go bad... just a suggestion though goodluck!

 

check grounds... i know every one is sick of me saying that but wen your having an electical prob thats the prob 75% of the time id also say like socha sed and check the nutral/park switch next time it duzent start just do what you have been wiggling the shifter ans see if it starts if so then id say thats it

 

If by chance it turns out to be the neutral switch it is easy to adjust. The easy way to check is to also try starting in neutral and wiggle the shift lever while starting. Depending on which way you need to put pressure to get contact, determines the adjustment. Just make sure park is the priority for positioning. Don't want it to start in reverse....I have a 3" body lift on mine and it took a couple of adjustments to the neutral switch to get in sync. It was simple though. Slide block on the shifter rod under the floor right above the brake distribution block above the frame behind left tire.

 

Thanks guys, i had a closer look at it last night. Battery connections are nice and tight. The relay looks good, no corrosion and i swapped it out with another in the "distribution center" and it works fine...but it usually does...like i said the problem is intermittent so i'm not sure if that did anything, lol.

I did look at the starter and positive battery leads that attach on the starter and there's a lot of corrosion there. Looks like i'll replace the starter and solder on some new connecters to the cables for good measure. I've been through the "whack the starter" routine before but i didn't try it this time because it eventually fired after 10-12 attempts. I'm suspecting the starter due to the corroded contacts.

Ron