If your Dodge Ram refuses to start but has power and everything of your car system look fine, it can keep you up at night.
Diagnosing Dodge Ram Won’t Start But Has Power is challenging because there are multiple possibilities for a no-start condition, with poor power delivery being one. You’ve got to go through the checklists.
When it comes to a certain type of no-start, a relative term in the general category, one has to determine whether it’s low voltage or very low voltage.
Article Summary
- How To Fix Dodge Ram Won’t Start But Has Power
- Understanding the Symptoms
- Check the Battery Connections
- Examine the Starter Motor
- Inspect the Ignition Switch
- Test the Fuel System
- Check the Fuses and Relays
- Look for Security System Issues
- Examine the Spark Plugs and Ignition Coils
- Consider the Timing of Belt
- Verify the Neutral Safety Switch
- Check for Air Intake Blockages
- Evaluate the Engine Control Unit (ECU)
- Professional Diagnostics and Repair
- Maintenance Tips For Dodge Ram Won’t Start Problems
- FAQs on Dodge Ram Won’t Start but Has Power
- Conclusion
How To Fix Dodge Ram Won’t Start But Has Power
There are various symptoms of not starting the Dodge Ram instead of having enough power. Some of them are…
Understanding the Symptoms
If your Dodge Ram has enough power, that means the battery is doing something, since the lights, the radio, and many of the electrical components on the car might work.
However, if the engine does not crank, or in other terms, does not start up, what is going on is something beyond the battery.
Check the Battery Connections
Your truck can fail to start even if your battery is sufficiently charged, with weak or dirty connections due to corrosion of the battery terminal post being an equally common cause.
If your battery is more than five years old, you may have to change it. Visual inspection of the battery will reveal if the terminals have corrosion. If they do, check that the cables are clamped securely and use a wire brush to clean away.
Examine the Starter Motor
The starter motor is a mechanical device that rotates your engine when you turn your key on. When you turn your key, you will probably hear a click. If you are unlucky, that will be all you hear, without any obvious signs that the motor is doing anything.
You might have to ask one of your jock buddies, no doubt, to give it a kick with that big work boot of his. ‘OK, he could try to kick the motor – if he can remember which was the starter.’
If your starter motor is on the fritz, you will probably hear a click when you turn your key. It might be possible to kickstart the motor by tapping on it with a hammer while someone else turns the key, but it will likely need to be replaced.
Inspect the Ignition Switch
One potentially problematic part of a car is the ignition switch, which is responsible for sending a signal to the starter motor.
If it’s faulty, a key will often not turn, or if it does turn, the engine will not start. Replacing the ignition switch usually requires professional help.
Test the Fuel System
If your motor has spark and fuel but won’t turn over, the problem is probably within the fuel system.
The fuel can be bountiful, but the delivery to the engine could be hopelessly choked up. The fuel pump may be failing to send fuel into the flow. Turn your key to the ‘on’ position.
Listen intently, and you might hear a humming noise – the fuel pump. If you don’t hear anything, there’s a good chance your fuel pump has failed. In addition, make sure that the fuel filter isn’t plugged up and replace it if necessary.
Check the Fuses and Relays
Your Dodge Ram can fail to start if a blown fuse or faulty relay restricts the flow of electrons to the starter or fuel pump.
If you need to learn how to find the fuse box, you should consult a repair manual specific to your vehicle. Make sure to replace the fuses corresponding to the starter and fuel pump and test each relay by swapping it with the same type of blown fuse from the fuse box.
Look for Security System Issues
Security systems in modern conveniences, including Dodge Ram, can prevent the engine from cranking if a problem is detected.
If the dashboard security light continues flashing, the anti-theft system is likely the culprit. Consult the owner’s manual for instructions on resetting the system.
Examine the Spark Plugs and Ignition Coils
Ignition coils and spark plugs restrict car engine. A spark plug is a worn-out or malfunctioning spark plug engine incapable of starting.
Pull out a spark plug and observe it for any signs of wear fouling. Replace any faulty spark plugs. Examine the ignition coils with a multimeter to make sure they are operating properly.
Consider the Timing of Belt
A broken or slipping timing belt is another problem that can prevent your engine from starting. However, this is less common so the fix may be catastrophic: do not get in and keep trying to start if you think this could be the issue. Call a professional mechanic instead.
Verify the Neutral Safety Switch
This neutral safety switch prevents the engine from attempting to start unless the transmission is in neutral or park.
If a vehicle is having issues starting, the first place to check is to try to turn on the starter in both the park and neutral positions.
If it only runs in either the park or the neutral position, that could be the neutral safety switch. You would then need to adjust or replace the switch.
Check for Air Intake Blockages
The engine must receive the correct air-fuel mixture to start and work properly. Any blockage in the intake air system can prevent this.
Therefore, you must make sure that the air filter and the whole intake system are free of blockages and excessive dirt. Replace the air filter if needed.
Evaluate the Engine Control Unit (ECU)
The engine control unit – the ECU, in hacker jargon – controls many parts of the car. If it breaks down, the engine won’t even start, even though other parts might be perfectly fine.
A professional mechanic with a diagnostic card is the typical solution to diagnosing an ECU fault, but not necessarily the only one.
Professional Diagnostics and Repair
Even with parents of all pets in tow. Especially with parents of all pets in tow. These steps may be all you need if your vehicle refuses to roll, but if you’ve run through all that and your Dodge Ram remains motionless, you’re well-advised to look for expert help.
A mechanic’s diagnostic tools can overcome shortcomings in a DIY approach, and the professional repair you end up needing can get you up to speed on things that would be obscure through simpler troubleshooting.
It might take a bit more time and money, but you’ll know what the problem is, and a professional will fix it.
Maintenance Tips For Dodge Ram Won’t Start Problems
A Dodge Ram maintenance schedule keeps starting problems at bay by following oil changes and other recommended repair schedules, replacing spark plugs and filters when needed, and periodically inspecting the battery and electrical connections. Part-throttle misfires can worsen when exacerbated by driving conditions.
FAQs on Dodge Ram Won’t Start but Has Power
Why does my Dodge Ram have power but won’t start?
However, there can be plenty of potential reasons why your Dodge Ram has power but won’t crank or run, like your battery connections, starter motor, ignition switch, fuel system, loads of fuses and relays, engine control unit (ECU), security system, spark plugs, ignition coils, timing belt, neutral safety switch, or air intake blockages.
How can I tell if the starter motor is the problem?
If your truck won’t start and you can hear a ticking noise when you walk around it, that could mean your starter motor has gone faulty. You can always give the starter a few whacks with your hammer while someone else cranks the key, but this is just a stopgap. Reducing a failed starter motor will most likely reduce the starter motor.
The security system prevents my Dodge Ram from starting. What can I do?
The light is on because the anti-theft system is having a problem. If the light on your dashboard is dimming, it promptly prefaced an appearance as well. Reason: In case you are stuck there with this light on, have a look under the driver’s ledge at your owner’s manual to see instructions for resetting the anti-theft system, or just run the car for 20 minutes on a flat, easy road. The problem may be one where he’s just using a spare key this time.
How Does fuel pump prevent Dodge Ram from starting?
Yes, if the fuel pump is faulty, the engine won’t crank over – but its effect is most pronounced when you turn the key to the ‘on’ position and listen for a whirring sound (the hum of the fuel pump). If you hear nothing, it might be that the fuel pump itself needs to be replaced. You should also check the fuel filter for plugging.
When To Call Mechanic while Dodge Ram’s Starting Issues?
If you’ve checked those things—the battery connection, starter motor, ignition switch, fuel system, fuses, and relays—and it still won’t start, then it’s time to call a mechanic. If not a local service station, at least a professional with the right tools can diagnose more complicated disorders, such as ECU faults, timing belt problems, and other more elusive causes of motor-related diseases.
Conclusion
As an example, if the Dodge Ram doesn’t crank over, but the battery has power, it could be as easy as needing to tighten the connections on the battery.
However, it could be something else, like an ECU, where the professional mechanic can go through each part independently and isolate the problem. Just because the vehicle is expensive doesn’t mean you need to be a professional.
