Hi guys,
I have a 2003 Ram 1500, 5.7L Hemi. Over the past few months I have been experiencing a problem with the truck starting. I will turn the key to the start position and it will try to turn over for literally a split second then stop (with no "clicking" or other sounds.). If I hold the key in that position, it will turn over and fire after about 10-30 seconds but it is getting worse. This happens after the truck has not ran for 10 or more hours. I think it sounds like the starter but could it possibly be a bad alternator causing the battery to not have sufficient power? About a month ago, I took it to the parts store and they tested the alternator and battery and they said they were fine but again, that was after I drove it about 5 miles. Any help or suggestions?! Thank you all very much!

 

Welcome to the site

You could have an issue in the PDC from salt/sand/snow/corrosion. Its not uncommon for earlier years

 

Sounds like a possible bad battery to me. Take it to an AutoZone or Advance Auto and have them check your battery and alternator for free. The very minimum you can at least rule that out.

 

NEVER MIND! looks like I might need to concentrate on my reading a little more. Looks like you already did that.

 

What is a PDC?

 

I think he is referring to the fuse box under hood driver side. Look under it, open to the weather.

 

I Just took off the wheel well covers yesterday and didnt see anything nasty so im guessing mines fine. But im also not having the same exact problem as Baronalm

 

I had a very similar problem some years ago on my old F'er. Never went to Ford Dealership but local shop said the battery, alternator and starter tested fine but it ended up being a bad starter after all once they saw the truck after it sat for a couple of days. The bushing wore out or something causing the shaft to bind after sitting a bit. When I boosted the truck thinking the battery was dead, there was enough juice with 2 batteries to turn it over just fine but unless that engine was warm and recently shut off, the battery just couldn't get it going again without struggling. If I tried long enough, eventually it would realign itself to let it run freely and it was good to go. Every sign pointed to a bad battery or alternator and it drove me nuts for weeks until he pulled the starter out. At that point I had resolved myself that it was some sort of computer issue and decided to bring the truck in so I was relieved a cheap rebuilt starter fixed it all... well for a few weeks anyways until the darn ford broke down again

 

I have a problem with cylinder 3&7 not firing they have new packs on them there is no current coming for the plug in what could it be

 

I had an intermittent problem similar to this years back, turned out the power to the starter had a dirty connection. I cleaned it and haven't had a problem since.