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kmw1829
New User
May 30, 2011, 2:44 PM
Post #1 of 6
(1865 views)
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Abrupt Truck Death
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Happy Memorial Day! I hope someone can help me diagnose my truck problem.
Make: Dodge, Model: Ram 1500, Year:2001, Miles: 217K (original Engine with no major problems), Location Southern NM. My truck has a 5.8L V8, gas engine, fuel injection, and automatic transmission. Basic options are power steering, windows, and door locks. No aftermarket add-ons except a trailer brake controller. I have owned this vehicle since 2002.
Problem: My truck was functioning normally with no loss of power or electrical. It sat for two days in my driveway. My brother was borrowing the truck, I was in another vehicle so I was not next to or in the vehicle when the problem occurred. He stated that he turned the key, the engine started but immediately died. He tried to start it but there was no power (engine did not crank, no electrical power what so ever). I went over to investigate, we ensured the vehicle was in park, again nothing, no dome or dash warning lights. The engine will not crank. We checked the electrical connections to the battery, all appears normal. Nothing frayed or out of place. I assumed it was a dead battery. The following day, I exchanged the battery (checked to ensure it was good), it reads 12.8V. When I finished installing I opened the door, the dome light came on. I turned the key and nothing, again, the truck was completely without power and the dome light went off. I checked the visible fuses and none are blown.
I'm stumped. Any ideas?
Many thanks, -Kevin
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 30, 2011, 3:04 PM
Post #2 of 6
(1852 views)
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Re: Abrupt Truck Death
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Since you were just at the battery and expect those connections are fine now - look at and clean up the other ends of battery cables, one at stater and one to engine block. disconnect neg cable while checking this out,
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on May 30, 2011, 3:08 PM)
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kmw1829
New User
May 30, 2011, 5:33 PM
Post #3 of 6
(1837 views)
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Re: Abrupt Truck Death
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I checked the positive leads. THe one that goes to the starter is intact (ending in two connections to the starter, one large and one small connector to the starter motor). The other positive lead goes into a very large array of fuzes. The primary fuze is a 140 amp (it is not blown). I haven't touched the car since yesterday, when I opened the door, the dome light came on dimly, I tried the head lights, they also came on (couldn't discern the brightness in the sunlight). THe interior warning bell came on when I turned on the head lights. I tried to start it, no cranking, and all electrical immediately went dead again. I checked the battery, it showed 12.8v. I looked at the wiring harness to the coil, it looked intact. I wonder if the starter relay is bad, the ignition switch might be shorting out, or the voltage regulator.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 30, 2011, 10:48 PM
Post #4 of 6
(1819 views)
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Re: Abrupt Truck Death
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What is your voltage drop when starter requested? In that all power quits when you ask it to crank it suggests a connections problem
or perhaps the integrity of wires. Will this take a jump or same thing?
Know that starter is using tons of power while cranking or asked to - far more than other items and will stress a weak link and cause just what you are describing.
Never mind if connections look good, with this complaint they need to be wire brushed up, smear of grease helps them last.
If all clean and known good battery then plain test light and measuring voltage drop with starter request is in order. Check center post of battery vs the clamp - you might find it quits right there,
T
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kmw1829
New User
Jun 11, 2011, 10:20 AM
Post #5 of 6
(1797 views)
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Re: Abrupt Truck Death
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To close this one out, I diagnosed the problem. The inside of the battery clamp sleeve was corroded, I eventually took a dremmel tool with a little wire wheel attachment and brought it back down to bare metal. Once done, the truck started up and was fine. Many thanks and the simplest solution was the answer!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 12, 2011, 12:01 AM
Post #6 of 6
(1786 views)
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Re: Abrupt Truck Death
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Too common - a tad of grease or even WD-40 can help slow that down. Cables have been junk for about 20 years and need attention,
T
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