I have a '95 B2500 Ram Van, a Mark II conversion van with 170,000 miles. It has the 318 motor.
Lately, when I turn the ignition key, usually after the van has set all night, all warning lights come on in usual fashion, there is the briefest surge of the starter, and then nothing. All dash lights remain on. I turn off the key and turn it to the start position again and it starts. It almost mimics a battery with too low of a charge, but then it starts right up.
Any ideas what I could start checking?
alloro
08-27-2008, 07:43 PM
Starter relay or solenoid with burnt contacts.
IceAce
08-27-2008, 09:44 PM
Starter relay or solenoid with burnt contacts.
Agreed.
I'd also look at the battery posts and connectors for any sign of buildup which might cause the problem.
tbob
08-29-2008, 10:02 AM
Thanks for the advice.
I had just remembered a problem that is probably related: Sometimes when starting nothing happens when I turn the key. However, shifting from Park and back "cures" the problem, so I suppose, what? the neutral safety switch is out of adjustment or failing? The other day it did it and I held the key to the START positon, reached through the steering wheel and jammed the shifter harder into the PARK position. It then made contact and started.
Can you tell me where the neutral switch is located? I hope it is not on the column, because I sure one can't disassemble it because of the air bag!
alloro
08-29-2008, 10:54 AM
the neutral safety switch is out of adjustment or failing?
Since moving the shifter makes it start, then yes I'd say the NSS is worn out. It's down on the tranny and has a 3-wire plug going to it. FYI, that same switch also controls the reverse lights.
tbob
08-29-2008, 04:42 PM
I crawled under the van and looked and saw two three wire plugs. One went into what looked like a rubber plug going in the transmission right above the pan on the driver's side back corner of the transmission.
The other was plugged into an external metal contraption just forward of where the drive shaft is joined to the rear of the transmission. Which one is it?
alloro
08-29-2008, 09:08 PM
Driver's side corner. If you want to confirm, pull the plug and see if your reverse lights go out (with the key on.)
