[fordphan]

I hope you guys have some ideas. I went to use my truck today, I put the key in and tried to start it, it turned over just a short time and then nothing. I have no power at all! The battery was charged, but I put the charger on it any way. I still have nothing. I checked the fuses, but I think these are just for the lights etc. I have no power to anything. The battery has a full charge, I took the cables off and cleaned them anyway, and checked the connections I could get to from under the hood. There had been no signs of any problems before today. Any ideas? Thanks

 

[poncho62]

Either you have blown the fuseable link....or the main accessory wire has corroded off.

 

[nick 130]

id chwck the main acessory wire. i had a chevy 3500 that wasnt chargeing the lights didnt work and wouldnt start got it started and drove it and hit bumps and things would work at then not i then found the corroded wire on the fire wall. also check all wires going to the starter for breaks

 

[suburban16]

I'd start by checking the fusible links on this the drivers side inner fender, a very common problem for those Dodges. Poncho pretty much has the right idea.

Also the main accessory wire, located in the bulkhead connector at the firewall (large square block of wires) likes to basically corrode to nothing in those trucks as well. I've had 5 Dodge Power Rams do that to me. The wire will be the "fattest" red wire in the bulkhead connector, take the connector off and check that wire where the two halves meet, I'll bet it's corroded.

 

[Ingersoll444]

I dont know about the "newer" ones like that, but the 70's era trucks had a lot of issues with the bulkhead connector on the firewall. To the point of a lot of trucks burning up.

 

[dodge trucker]

another possibility causing a no crank; neutral safety switch on side of transmission put in Neutral and see if it cranks; may have to wiggle shift lever a bit while holding key to "CRANK" position

otherwise the comments on fusible link are right on, driver side inner fenderwell about even with front of hood hinge, usually a "3 into 1" with a big heavy black rubber splice. one of the wires on the "3 side" of plug....

You say that the battery as charged but you charged it again anyway; sure nobody put the wrong alligator clip on the wrong terminal? (black doesnt go to "hot")

1 more; I have owned several Dodges over the years; they like to corrode the battery cables from the inside out; check the ground connections at firewall and engine too.

 

[dimm s32]

fordphan.......Dodgetrucker has some very good answers,but dont forget to check your ignition switch,I had one go out on me and it took me a week to find out it was the switch.......John...........:fing32: :fing32: :trink39:

 

[Steamguy]

Also check the positive connection ON the starter itself. I've had more than one of these come loose and cause exactly what you're describing.

Disconnect the battery first, though!! You can throw some serious sparks if you forget...

 

[fordphan]

Thanks for the info, this truck is used as a Farm Truck, so it sits a lot. I found that some mice had chewed through the cloth insulation on the major wire going through the fire wall. I was able to splice the wires and get the truck running again. Because of the pets around the place, I can't use chemicals to control them. I'm not sure how to control them except to use the truck more. Thanks to all.