So yesterday..I went shopping and when I went out to start my van..it did the starter click thing briefly then nothing..thought at first starter solenoid, but that seems to be working ... Just put new starter in about a week ago by the way..and was spinning just fine..I crawled under and jumped across it..and spinning just fine.. The weird thing is now when I turn the key to start mode or even aux..no rise in fuel gauge..no turn signals..nothing.. fuses are all good in the glove box... could it be fusible link causing this..or is it in the steering wheel assembly?

$$Expensive shopping trip.. $130.00 for towing..sheesh!

1988 Dodge Ram Van.. B250.. 5.2/318

Thanks

 

Hi Radstorm,
Did you have any other issues at all? What made you replace the starter?

Did you ever have any issues while the van was running? Did you lose the dash lights, turn signals, radio, power door lock or windows, possibly all at the same time?

I had an issue with losing all of the above items and it was the ignition switch, not the key switch part. My van is an 02 Ram Van 1500. I didn't have a starting problem at that time. I am not sure if your system is close to the 02 system. You can try looking at the electrical connections at the ignition switch itself for burn marks in/at the connection and in the ignition switch connections itself where the connector plugs in.

Keep posting and updating on the bad and the good results. I know it's very frustrating! I am dealing with a "no bus" issue myself.

I am interested in trying to help you if I can.

 

Thanks for the reply Ram..I guess this is a dumb question..but where is the ignition switch at? Is it in the steering column too? I did have the fuel gauge go off and on a few times...other than that it was running ok. This is an old school van except that computer crap. No power accessories..not even a radio

 

Where is your ignition key lock? I searched the choices and you have 3.

• Dash-Mounted
• Standard Columns
• Tilt Columns

Each has its own instructions on removal.

Also, I don't know if air bags existed on your van back in 1988. I don't know if that is equipped with air bags. On my 2002, I have to disconnect the neg battery terminal for 2 minutes to deplete any residual electrical charge before doing any column work. Failure to do that could cause the air bag to deploy.

I would look up the instructions at your library online or in person before doing anything. Definitely disconnect the negative battery prior to doing any thing.

 

It's on the column..no airbags or tilt. I went out and did find that power is going to the harness up the steering shaft. It had a gang plus at the base..so unplugged it to test for power..I jumped across some connectors..made the horn blow and a turn signal started flashing.. Another point I guess made the fuel pump go..but was super loud..wondering if it was going backwards..anyways..I quit that real fast...lol So I guess..next is pull the steering wheel.

 

According to the Haynes (vague) manual. One reason for no start is the starter relay (this is not the ASD one) but another mounted on the firewall. Would this relay also be the cause of no power to the steering column, and of course no cranking?

The reason I did replace the starter recently is that it was bad. You know the kind that required "love taps" to spin it?

When it broke down..I confess I did go out and kind of smack the relays around a bit on the firewall, and they be a bit old..like me

Thanks

 

well this is just a followup from back when.. I did get it to run again but.. I had to 1: put a jumper wire in the fuse box to activate the dash stuff like fuel gauge etc 2: even with doing that when I turned the key to try and start it still did nothing..so I ended up putting a push button switch jumping across hot to the starter solenoid to make it start.. even though this seems to work fine..I still dont trust it for distance drives..so I would still like to fix it right ..one thing I noticed just the other night is no reverse lights..so could this whole problem be the neutral safety switch? I bought one..just have not replaced it yet. It is the 3 wire type by the way.. does power go to it from the key, or does power go to the key from it?

 

OK,,I have replaced the neutral safety switch, starter relay on firewall, and the asd one also..still nothing.. any suggestions? battery is good (new) it will still work though if I put a jumper in the fuse box.. as I mean instrument panel, turn signals etc start working.. I still have to use the push button I wired in from battery to solenoid to start it up though. I would must leave it this way but I dont think I could trust it for a long distance drive..or maybe it back feed to puter and damage it also..thats a pricey one to replace

 

So does anybody know of another forum I can try.. I'm an old guy on a veteran pension..not like I can run out and just buy another van,,this one is pretty much goonna die when I do

 

Sounds to me like a fusible link feeding one of the two ignition switch circuits is cooked. This is also why your dash gauges don't work. The fusible links are usually found in the wiring harness up around the top of the brake booster.