1996 Dodge Ram Van B2500

Hey everybody, my Ram Van is grounded in the parking lot of the Travis County Courthouse in Austin, TX with a no start condition. I have until Wednesday 5/15 to find a solution or else I get the tow.

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Symptom:

- When I turn the ignition key, I get one loud *click* but the engine does not turn over*


Conditions:

- Battery is from 11/09. Reads 12.49 Volts with engine off
- Dash lights and interior lights work
- Headlights are reasonably bright, but not exquisitely strong
- Horn sounds "a little weak" according to a Dodge friend
- Brake light perpetually on
- ABS light on, ABS does not work
- Loose power connection in radio, off 98% of the time
- Cigarette plug does not work
- 135k Miles, sat for several years outside in Colorado
- Check Engine light is on
- O'Reilly's Auto Parts error code points to a Solenoid


Attempted Fixes:

- Terminals on Battery and Solenoid have been scraped and cleaned: Failed
- Have tried tapping on Starter Motor while turning the Key: Failed
- Jump started from another vehicle: Worked once, now Fails
- Replaced Starter Motor/Solenoid with a salvage part: Failed

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*A Note on the Condition

The first time this problem occurred. I attached a small solar panel to the van battery, returned a couple hours later and started the van with no problem and continued to drive it normally for several weeks. I parked the van and did not drive it for about 7 days. Afterwards it failed to start, making only a single loud *click* from the undercarriage. A fellow from the neighborhood offered to give me a jump from his truck. It worked that time. However, I could not restart the van the next time I parked it.

In the meantime I have tried to jump start the van again two different times with no success. Someone suggested that the loud *click* is the Solenoid magnetically engaging and that the problem may be the Starter Motor itself. I found a replacement Starter Motor/Solenoid at a salvage yard and replaced it yesterday. No success, I still get the same single *click* with no Turn Over.

Considering how many devices in my dashboard (CLA, radio, ABS) are not functioning, I am thinking that this issue is Electrical. The way the condition progressively worsened twice before permanently failing seems indicative of an Electrical problem as well. My battery is 4 years old and sat through at least 4 Colorado winters, but it was running fine up until last month. The engine failed to Turn Over and Start even when under a Jump at 13.89 volts.


It sounds like this single *click* is coming from the Starter Motor, but I could be mistaken, can anyone confirm this?

What else do I need to check? Relays?

What other connections or grounds do I need to clean?



Best Regards,

Sean

 

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Check the battery voltage while cranking the starter to see if it drops off.

 

Voltage drops to 11.78 when ignition key is turned

 

The battery is low or bad.

 

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