I have power, but it won't crank over

Asked by Izzy4492 Apr 17, 2014 at 02:12 PM about the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500 LT 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I turn the key over and everything comes on, but it won't crank over. It ran fine the night
before, then the next morning it doesn't start. I have replaced the following;
Neutral Safety Switch
Ignition
Starter

Checked cables

38 Answers

5,015

check your ignition relay switch as well unhook your battery for 30 minutes and then hook it back up.

241 people found this helpful.
6,030

I have the same problem only I can hear a click when turning the key. It's not from the starter or battery area. I've cleaned and made sure all connection are good but no luck. I checked the starter relay fuse and it's fine. Heck I've checked every fuse and connection from hear to Texas on it. Could it be that the truck thinks it's in gear and won't start? App sensor maybe? Any help is appreciated.

603 people found this helpful.
2,840

Just got done with my truck (2002 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7L). It clicked a couple of times and didn't start, tried it again then started. Go to start it again and nothing. All the dash lights came on when I tried to start it but "no crank" Replaced the starter, battery, ignition switch, and cleaned all the cables to the battery and nothing. My girlfriend of all people told me to check all the grounds. Cleaned the one by the battery, the one by the fuse box, the one attached to the frame, and the one on the block itself ( very oily due to the fact it's directly under the oil filter). After I cleaned all the grounds it cranked right up. It might have been the ground the whole time, good place to start before buying all the parts.

284 people found this helpful.
1,250

I wonder if it is the sensor I don't get a clicking noise

126 people found this helpful.
1,810

I have 04 dodge ram hemi Tryin to start it all light ding but not sounds when turning over key

181 people found this helpful.
1,920

I just had my 2001 Ram not turn over with no sounds. After checking all the relays, fuses and ground points on my 5th or 6th time of moving my shifter it started right up. Clear indication of a bad Neutral safety switch but really hard to find since it was really random. The key was knowing that no noise is clearly a wiring, switch or sensor issue NOT starter or other mechanical parts.

192 people found this helpful.
990

I took mine to dodge ...same problem...they had to flash the computer...around 99 dollars

95 people found this helpful.
4,270

I've got a 2007 Dodge ram 1500 slt 4 door 4/4 will not start checked battery good butt will not turn over

289 people found this helpful.
4,270

Dodge ram found out why my truck would not start wire between starter little brass wire that goes from solenoid to starter was burnt off of solenoid

138 people found this helpful.
1,940

I have a 2015 Dodge Ram 2500 yesterday morning my husband was about to leave for work and he turned it over and it made a click noise so he hit the stater with a hammer a little bit then it cranked right up. Now I myself was about to leave for work and I was taking his truck well it did the same thing it did to him yesterday morning I did what he did but no luck I turn it over it just does the click noise so I go back inside I waited for bout an hr I go back outside to try it again an it just click I go hit the stater a little bit then it does nothing no noise nothing it’s says wrong key on the dash I really don’t know what that means

194 people found this helpful.
910

I have a '14 Dodge Ram 1500 with Hemi. Mine has power and even clicked some but wouldn't start. I hooked up my battery charger then had someone else stand in front of the truck. I turned on the head lights and tried to start it. The rule is that if the lights go out then it is either the battery, the alternator, or both. If the light only dims then it's the starter, solenoid or both. In mine the started /solenoid all comes together. Good luck. Mine was the battery this time.

91 people found this helpful.
1,260

I have a 2010 Ram 1500 with the same issue. When I turned the key, everything electrical came on, but the engine didn't crank. I would try the remote buttons on the fob. lock - unlock, lock, unlock, remote start, unlock. Nothing worked. Sat there to contemplate this and after about 30 seconds, the car started locking, unlocking, locking, unlocking, then it started, then it unlocked. What ever it is, is storing the remote commands, then follows this commands. Tried it again at home, later, and again it would not start. Tried the same things. Nothing. Went in the house. 20 minutes later I notice my lights are on. I went to the truck and it was running (remotely started).

125 people found this helpful.
2,280

I have a 2008, turn the key everything comes on, but doesn't start. Had the starter, solenoid and pigtale changed by the dealership (I have the life time warranty). Did it again this morning. Went to have it towed for the 4th time and it started. Still don't know why it keeps doing it. Any suggestions? I've even called Chrysler.

228 people found this helpful.
680

Turned out to be negative battery terminal needed slight cleaning. Even though to the eye it looked fine. Clean both terminals thoroughly before doing anything else. Just loosening mine and turning it on the post a little did the trick. So I cleaned it. Seems fine. Ridiculously simple, but seems to cause major malfunctions if not perfect.

68 people found this helpful.
670

I have a 2004 Dodge Hemi it it turns over but it won't start sounds like it doesn't have a spark could it be a cam sensor

66 people found this helpful.
760

I just had a no crank issue with my 1999 Dodge ram. I replaced the ignition switch, and it did not fix it. Traced the problem to bad contacts in the starter solenoid. Wasn't getting voltage to the starter motor, because of a worn contact. Bought a contact replacement kit for $30, installed them, and it now starts like a champ.

76 people found this helpful.
2,720

2007 Dodge Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi. Ran it all day. Parked it n went outside next morning to start it, it cranked a split second then nothing. All power comes on, but won't even crank when turn the key. Check fuses, bench tested starter, replaced the FCM (Front Control Module) bc for some damn reason Dodge has multiple computers under the hood. Somebody HELP! WHAT SHOULD I TRY NEXT?

272 people found this helpful.
580

I HAVE A 2012 DODGE RAM 6.7 CUMMINS DIESEL. AFTER THE TRUCK SAT FOR 3 DAYS THE TRUCK WOULD NOT CRANK OVER. ALL THE LIGHTS THE LIGHTS CAME ON WHEN THE KEY WAS ON BUT NO CRANK. THE PROBLEM FOUND WAS IN THE WIRING HARNESS. BEHIND THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING. THE CLAMP HOLDING TWO METAL LINES IN A BRACKET HAD WORN THROUGH THE WIRING THAT GOES TO MAIN COMPUTER BLOWING A 30 AMP FUSE. BEST WAY TO GET AT THIS IS TAKING THE LEFT SIDE INNER FENDER OUT. THEN FOLLOW WIRING FROM THE TPMN MODULE TO COMPUTER ON THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE BLOCK FYI

51 people found this helpful.
470

I have a 2002 dodge ram 1500 v8 I was going up the road it back fired in now it want start tried to spray card cleaner in to it but want start wat can it be please help are call me at 8643866064

47 people found this helpful.
1,120

I have a 98 Dodge Ram 4 x 4 just put a new starter on the vehicle climb into turn the key over to start the vehicle lights light up on dash but vehicle does not start put new crankshaft sensor in new battery and still no start was told it could be ignition switch what are your options and opinions please address thank you

110 people found this helpful.
980

I have a 2017 Dodge Bighorn 1500, a couple weeks ago it wouldn't start up at our local gas station, my husband had the hood up trying to figure out what was going on with it, and this is the first time we had this problem. So I call my son at home and tell him to bring my other set of truck keys to us, when he arrives with them my husband put the spare keys in and turned it and it started right up! So now again my truck is not starting, so I get the other set of keys and try them and my truck don't start, and now I can smell gas, I think I flooded the gas,,,, any advice out there on what the problem could be?

98 people found this helpful.
80

I have a 2006 DODGE TRUCK DIESEL. I had the same problem and all I needed to do is unhook the batteries and clean the terminals. This worked.

8 people found this helpful.
530

Not sure what's going on... Everything was going fine I pulled into a gas station to get gas and I shut it off and I turn it back on it turns over so I check the cables I seen some acid corrosion(blue) so I took a knife and got it off there, it's not alternator or started bc everything works electrical so I try jump it to see if battery by a Dodge hemi and that isn't it but when I go to start it over it sounds like it is trying to start but bubbling but I didn't want to flood it. Does anyone know anything I could try? Like said it didn't have any issues before

53 people found this helpful.
620

I have a 2011 ram 3500 6.7 Cummins diesel. One battery and starter were replaced a year ago. Noticed it was hard to turn over had batteries checked and sure enough the battery that I didn’t change was bad. So replaced it then it still sounded like starter was struggling to turn it over so I replaced it. Got in the truck and dash lights came on but didn’t turn over. Went back checked all the wiring all look good so tried it again and it started. Drove it across state got to my sons shut it off and it started right up. Next day went out to start it and dash lights all came on but didn’t turn over flipped my key over and it started right up. Then I shut it off tried to start it again and same thing dash lights come on but won’t crank over. I have no idea what can be wrong with this so any help I greatly appreciate it.

62 people found this helpful.
90

I changed oil & filter, added water to radiator, & changed power steering reservoir on mine & it wouldn't start. Called mechanic. He showed up & started cranking it until it turned on. He said fuel pressure wasn't built up. Wished I would've kept trying. I was happy though to know it didn't require additional parts.

9 people found this helpful.
260

To get your 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins 5.9L home, take the starter relay out and jump number 30, and number 87 in fuse block (you can find the numbers on the relay switch), make sure you have the ignition turned on, and when it starts up, put the relay back in the correct location.... take it home and start the search to find the problem.... it could be the relay, grounding points could be dirty/corroded, or the batteries might need cleaning.... you should also check the underside of the fuse box for loose connections.... one of these things could be your problem.... try the simple stuff first, before spending money that won't make a difference.... it's usually a simple fix....

18 people found this helpful.
230

My 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 wouldn't start. When I turned the key over every light in the dash came on but, it wouldn't say a word. Had it towed in to the dealer. To my shock and surprise, I was told my apps needed to be updated. Runs just like new now.

23 people found this helpful.
610

I my 2011 4.7 has the starter clicking but won't turn over. Was doing this intermediately until two days ago. I've replaced the starter twice, checked the battery and alt. Traced and cleaned all grounding points. Still nothing. Any ideas?

48 people found this helpful.
610

I ended up bypassing the starter control wire, now I have to have two people to turn on the car, one to connect the bypass wire to the battery and the other to turn the ignition... I'm not really sure why I would have to bypass that wire but it works for a short term fix I guess.

13 people found this helpful.
60

I have a 2007 3500 5.9 diesel, with key off blows ignition/fuel pump fuse , every time I change it ( with key out ) everyone says hot wire rubbing metal somewhere, no idea where to start

6 people found this helpful.
90

Just had this issue on my 96 Ram 3500. Drove fine, then today died on me turning into my driveway. Tried restarting and just a single click. All lights and fuses seemed fine. Ended up being a loose negative battery terminal I didn't catch in my visual inspection. Put my hands on it to shake it and the wire wasn't connected to the terminal (it shook loose). Check and recheck your connections. May save you some bucks.

9 people found this helpful.
170

I have a 2002 dodge ram 1500. I changed the fuel pump ignition switch all it does is turn over but won't start. Any suggestions

17 people found this helpful.
50

Here's a picture of why mine was doing it. The yellow zip tied plug had no safety clip on it, finally came loose I guess. Hope this helps someone took me two weeks to track down. It caused the ou codes

5 people found this helpful.
150

Ok, so I read everything on this page, I did most things, I have dodge ram 1500 big horn 2012, was hard to start first cranking a lot till it starts, then just click once, then nothing, and checked the battery was dead take it to autozone charger it, same thing click once then nothing, so I checked the starter and there was power, so take it out and take the starter to autozone to check it was bad both new one, and started from first time.

15 people found this helpful.
570

When I try to start my 2013 Dodge RAM 1500 Truck, nothing happens, non clicking sound, no sound whatsoever. The dome light doesn't even go dim when trying to start it. Anybody know why it isn't starting?

57 people found this helpful.
20

My 2006 Cummins would not crank, no relay sound, radio would not turn off when I rolled the key over. My original key was VERY worn out. Used a new spare I had cut a couple years ago and keep as a back up. Fired right up on the second try. I suggest checking your key for wear.

2 people found this helpful.
40

A big thank you to everyone that contributed to this forum. A few months ago there were numerous instances when my 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins with a 6 speed manual transmission would not turnover. It typically happened after hauling my boat for some reason and led to instances where it took 50+ attempts and 20 min + to get started. I would press the clutch all the way in, turn the key and nothing would happen (could hear the battery clicking but that was about it). Batteries were relatively new and fine. Ended up spending $130 on a Duralast Clutch Pedal Ignition Lock Switch CR445 (+had a mechanic install) and haven't has any issues since. It was very frustrating to diagnose because it would start each and every time for the mechanics. I literally woke up in the middle of the night (after taking it to the mechanic twice) and started reading through this thread and found my answer.

4 people found this helpful.

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