1990 Dodge won't start, no crank

Yoda47 · #1 08-17-2009, 10:05 PM

The truck's been running fine, no problems. Went to start it, all the lights came on just like normal, turned the key to the start position, nothing, not even a click.
I wiggled the battery terminals, still nothing, then it cranked and started just like normal (the engine starts as soon as I hit the key). I went on my trip, it started like normal going home, it sat for two days, now won't crank again.

What I've done:
- took the terminals off the battery posts, wire brushed them off, tightened the posts onto the battery, etc
- put a load tester on the battery, it shows 12v, and holds volts/amps with a load applied.
- checked for lose wires in the cab, under the hood, and under the truck. Everything looks good from what I can see. (all cab lights, warning lights, and even the headlights all come on if I turn them on.)

What it does (again):
- put key in and turn to on, buzzes, warning lights all come on (wait to start doesn't, but it's 80+ degrees)
- turn key to start position, nothing, no click, no crank no response at all.
- Tried turning the key repeatedly, still nothing.

Thanks in advance for any help.

mysterync · #2 08-17-2009, 10:19 PM

Our resident first gen guy will be here before long to give you a hand with this!
RSWORDS is his user name if you'd like to PM him

gradyc · #3 08-18-2009, 03:06 AM

There is a starter relay on the left fender that sends power to the solenoid. On ours once in a while if the truck hits a big bump the relay will come loose from the plug. You could also jump to the small terminal on the starter to see if the starter is good.

Yoda47 · #4 08-18-2009, 09:40 AM

Well, I wiggled all the wires and connectors I could find, and it starts fine now, so the starter relay must have been loose.

Which wire was the right one though? (Or: What does the starter relay look like?)

gradyc · #5 08-18-2009, 02:48 PM

The relays are small plastic boxes that plug into the wiring harness. Our truck has 3 relays on the fender well but the book says there are supposed to be 4 on ours. Unless you have a schematic for yours the only way to figure out which is the starter relay is either look at the color of the small wire on the starter and then at the harness where the relays plug in or unplug one at a time and try to start it.

**wildbill** · #6 08-21-2009, 12:40 AM

What did ya get figured out??

Yoda47 · #7 08-25-2009, 12:02 PM

I'm still not sure which one it is (I'm guessing the one that was loose, but it looked like a plug with nothing in it), but I haven't had any problems starting since I wiggled them.

**stkdram55** · #8 09-10-2009, 10:32 AM

closing thread seems like you got her figured out...you can open it back up if you need

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