Your Dodge Ram failing to start can really bug you, even when your truck has plenty of power. You turn the key over and over, but nothing happens.
This can leave you stuck at the worst times, even though your truck should have enough juice to get going.
Problems like that I’ve got the most experience with—it’s what pushed me towards trying to be a good mechanic. And I know just the way to take care of things.
Keep reading to learn what causes your Dodge RAM not to start and how you can fix it!
Why Your Dodge Ram Won’t Start But Has Power?
Your dodge ram won’t start even if it has power due to a burnt wire between the solenoid and starter from bad connections, a faulty neutral safety switch sending wrong signals, dirty ground connections reducing voltage, issues with the ignition switch or relay disrupting the circuit, or a blown starter relay fuse or faulty starter motor.
Let’s learn more about these reasons in detail and then I’ll tell you how to fix them.
1. Burnt Solenoid-to-Starter Wire
In a Dodge Ram 1500, a small brass wire connects the solenoid to the starter motor. This wire carries high current from the battery when you turn the key.
Poor connections can create high resistance, causing the wire to overheat and burn.
When this happens, the solenoid can’t send power to the starter motor, so the engine won’t crank, even if the battery is fully charged and the test of the truck has power.
2. Bad Neutral Safety Switch
The neutral safety switch in a Dodge Ram 1500 ensures the engine can only start when the transmission is in ‘Park’ or ‘Neutral’.
This switch sits on the transmission and checks the shift lever position.
Over time, the contacts inside can wear out or corrode, stopping the switch from sending the right signal to the starter relay.
Even if you turn the key, the circuit stays open, and the starter motor won’t engage. The engine won’t start, even though there’s power.
3. Dirty Grounds
Ground connections complete electrical circuits in your Dodge Ram 1500, including the starting circuit.
These grounds are found on the engine block, chassis, and battery terminals.
Dirt and corrosion can build up there due to moisture and road salt. This corrosion increases resistance in the electrical circuit, causing voltage drops.
If the starter solenoid doesn’t get enough voltage, the starter motor won’t engage properly, leading to a no-start condition, even with a fully charged battery.
4. Ignition Switch or Relay
The ignition switch in a Dodge Ram 1500 activates the ignition relay with a small electric signal. This relay closes the circuit to power the starter motor when you turn the key.
If the ignition switch or relay wears out or gets corroded, it can prevent the circuit from working correctly. This means the starter motor won’t get power, so the engine won’t start even with a fully charged battery.
Both parts are needed for starting the engine, and if either fails, the truck won’t start.
5. Starter Relay Fuse
The starter relay fuse in a Dodge Ram 1500 protects the starter relay circuit from overcurrent and short circuits.
If the fuse blows, it breaks the circuit, stopping current from reaching the starter relay and solenoid. This can happen because of short circuits in the wiring harness or a failing starter motor that draws too much current.
When the fuse is blown, the starter motor can’t engage, so the engine won’t start, even if the truck’s battery has power.
6. Bad Starter Motor
A bad starter motor in a Dodge Ram 1500 can be caused by worn brushes, a faulty solenoid, or internal mechanical failure. The starter motor turns the engine’s flywheel to start the engine.
The brushes can wear down and stop conducting electricity well. The solenoid might fail because of internal corrosion or a burnt coil. The armature could have open or short circuits.
These problems stop the starter motor from spinning the flywheel, so the engine won’t start.
How To Fix Dodge Ram 1500 That’s Not Starting?
To fix your dodge ram 1500 that’s not starting, you need to clean up all your grounds, fix the wiring, swap out the bad parts or get a proper replacement for the starter. A gentle hammer to the starter motor might help, too.
Let’s start out with the basic fixes first like making sure you don’t have a dead battery. One that runs but shows problems can also be dead enough to cause this issue.
1. Fix The Burnt Wire
- Check the wire between the solenoid and starter for burns or breaks.
- Replace the damaged wire with a new one of the same size.
- Make sure all connections are clean and tight to prevent overheating in the future.
2. Clean Dirty Grounds
- Find all ground connections on the engine, chassis, and battery terminals.
- Clean each connection thoroughly with a wire brush to remove dirt and rust.
- Apply a bit of dielectric grease to prevent future corrosion.
3. Replace Starter Relay Fuse
- Locate the starter relay fuse in the hood’s fuse box.
- Swap the blown fuse with a new one of the same type.
- Inspect the wiring around the fuse box for any shorts or damage.
4. Hammer The Starter
Now, we’re going to get into the less obvious things.
- Check the dashboard for warning lights or errors.
- Use a scan tool to find trouble codes.
- Try starting the engine to see if it cranks.
- Find the starter under the truck, near the driver’s side front wheel.
- Tap the starter motor gently with a hammer.
- Have someone turn the key while tapping the starter.
- Tap and try starting a few times if needed.
- Return to the driver’s seat and try starting again.
- If it starts, the starter was likely stuck.
5. Replace Neutral Safety Switch
The location and extra steps might vary for models. Make sure to look up pages in your manual to cross reference before starting out with these steps.
- Find the neutral safety switch under your truck, on the driver’s side of the transmission.
- Disconnect the wiring harness.
- Use a one-inch socket to remove the old switch and catch any fluid.
- Install the new switch with the gasket and tighten it to 25 foot-pounds.
- Reconnect the wiring harness securely.
- Clean up any spilled fluid or dirt.
- Top up the transmission fluid with ATF Plus Four through the dipstick tube, adding and checking the level.
- Replace the dipstick, start the truck, and shift through gears.
- Recheck the fluid level at normal operating temperature and adjust if needed.
- Test drive to ensure everything works correctly.
6. Get A New Ignition Switch
- Remove lower dash panel screws using a T15 Torx screwdriver and a large screwdriver.
- Carefully detach lower dash panel to access ignition starter switch.
- Locate and remove ignition starter switch under dash panel.
- Disconnect battery for safety.
- Unscrew and remove old ignition starter switch using T15 Torx screwdriver.
- Insert new ignition starter switch and secure with screws.
- Reconnect any electrical connectors.
- Reassemble lower dash panel securely.
- Reconnect battery.
- Test ignition switch by starting the truck and checking accessories.
If nothing else works, your best option would be to replace the starter entirely. I’m not going to include the steps here—it’s a common part that fails in a lot of older Dodge Rams, like the 2016 Ram 1500. You can get started by looking at your truck’s servicing manual.
How Much Will It Cost To Fix A Ram 1500 That Won’t Start But Has Power?
Repairing a Ram 1500 with such a problem costs between $300 and $600.
This includes fixing a burnt wire ($20-$50), replacing a blown fuse ($5-$10), changing the neutral safety switch ($100-$120), or replacing the ignition switch ($300-$400).
If these don’t work, replacing the starter itself may be necessary, adding $200-$400 more.
Overall, repairs usually range from $300 to $800, if you try some of the other fixes before going for the starter.
Final Thoughts
Even though Dodge Rams are tough, these issues can sneak in unexpectedly and mess up your plans. Just follow my advice, and you’ll be fine. Most of the time, you won’t be needing to go as far as replacing the starter with recent Dodge Rams.
