94 Ram Van Ignition problem PleaseHelp

[jimjmcgovern]

Hi I am new to the forum, but I need help with a diagnosis. I have a 94 Dodge Ram B250 van, and it's a great vehicle, when it starts. I recently had to replace the computer because I was getting the fuel pump relay clicking. But I did that and it started right up and ran like a champ for about a week. Then the battery went out, replaced the battery... and it started right up and ran like a champ for about a week.

Now it's not turning over. I have power, I put the key in and turn to "on" all the lights and noises happen like they're supposed to; oil pressure, battery level. I hear the relays "click click" so I turn the key and nothing.. dead air. here's the trick though, for a while if I sat there and turned it off-and-on, off-and-on, off-and-on it might eventually catch and start. Now, sadly it is not, and what I'd like to know is does this sound like a ignition switch problem only, or something worse.

Thanks in advance to everyone who decides to help me on this.

[alloro]

There is a starter relay on the firewall in the engine compartment. If the relay is dead or it's contacts are burnt then the starter will not engage.

[jimjmcgovern]

The fuel pump relay and starter relay come together don't they? I just changed the fuel pump relay and I thought the starter relay was there too.

I'll check the connections but I'm pretty sure that's brand new (less than 1 month).

Any other ideas in case that's not it??

[alloro]

Could be the ignition switch itself, the Bendix solenoid on the starter, or a bad wiring connection. Choose your poison.

[wayneo69]

sounds as if itmaybe an ignition switch check the wiring connector at the switch too. check the power to the starter 12 volt supply and the exciter wire. then trace it back from there.

[bigbaribob]

Check the starter wire. If the starter has been replace, the connection may have loosened. The ignition switch if on the steering column down near the break pedal is notorious for burning out. It uses a push/pull rod from the key lock to activate a slider. If a little corrosion develops on spade connector gang plug, current heats the contacts an a high resistance develops.
On my 1982 van, I finall cut off the multi plug and installed individual new connections. The problem has not occurred again and that was a couple of years back.
The are many issues related with bad grounds on all older vehicles.

Good luck
bigbaribob

[jimjmcgovern]

Hey Guys.

So I realized that the starter relay was NOT on the fuel pump relay (apparantly that's the ASD relay). So I go buy a starter relay.. plug it in and BAM... Starts right up... well, not with a BAM thankfully, but you know what I mean.

Forums like these are the reason that every question has an answer. Thank you alloro, and all of you for being around helping out.

Jim J. McGovern