Well, this is day 2 of trying to locate this problem, so i'm hoping someone here will be able to help. I just bought a 1992 Ram B250 van last week. I've driven it at least an hour every day i'd say since i bought it, which i believe is exactly a week ago from today. 2 days ago I went to drive somewhere and it wouldn't start. No clicking, nothing. just the relay click - just 1. At first i thought something got left on overnight so i had it jumped. still nothing. so my uncle came to help and we jumped the starter checking for solenoid going bad. It started up with key turned so battery was on. We naturally thought that the solenoid was the problem. This was not the case. After replacing the starter still no ignition with the key. we've checked everything that would be a major problem with the vehicle and we are finding nothing. the wiring seems fine, all the volt checks were good. Nothing out of the ordinary. I've been reading at it seems like it could be the neutral safety switch, or the ignition switch itself. If anyone has any help at all with this situation it would be greatly appreciated. I'm new to vans, and this is just not looking good already. Thank you for reading. If it is the neutral switch, where is that exactly located?

 

It could be the neutral safety switch located on the driver's side of the tranny or the linkage might just need adjustment. You can test the latter by pressing firmly on the brake, reach over with your left hand and hold the key in the start position while shifting through all gears with your right hand. If at any point the starter engages it's the linkage adjustment. Careful with this because the engine could possible start while in gear and the vehicle could lunge a bit.

It could also be the the starter relay located on the firewall below the throttle cable(not the solenoid on the starter.)

 

wonderful. thank you so much. driver's side of tranny meaning attached to the tranny? i must add that i've been starting it everyday by completing the circuit on the starter with a screwdriver, if that makes any difference to your reply.

 

Yes, it threads into the tranny and usually has a 3 wire connector plugged onto it. FYI, about 4 quarts of tranny fluid will come out if you remove the switch unless you plug the hole right away.

By jumping the solenoid on the starter you're bypassing both the starter relay and neutral safety switch circuits which is why you're able to get the starter to engage. One of those is still your problem.