1992 Dodge Truck ignition short

1992 DODGE TRUCK
225,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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BIGGJ
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I have a 1992 Dodge Ram D-50 with 225,000 miles. NOTE-My local repair shop lost my splash guard . I didn't know it was gone for a year -surgery. One morning my lights began to dim and my truck began to stall . I nursed it home. I have replaced the starter, the battery, the battery cables. I have gotten it to start ,but, then it went to sleep on me again. I feel like I am chasing a ghost. Is there a systematic approach I can take that will maybe not lead me on a dead end chase?
Jun 23, 2010 at 10:34 AM
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INTERNETMECHANIC
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If your talking about a starter issue? Check the circuits at the starter relay. The two circuits at the top of relay, goes hot with the key in the crank position. The coil side of relay, that squiggle line, the bottom wire on the right side of relay is ground for the coil, goes through clutch switch then chassis ground. The load side of relay, line with arrow head on it, when the relay is energized, that arm switches to the other terminal, carries voltage to starter solenoid. The info I looked at was ram 50. Battery has a full charge and charging system ok? Are there any applicable trouble codes?


https://images.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/512072_ram_50_starter_circuit_1.jpg

Jun 23, 2010 at 11:23 AM
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BIGGJ
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I omitted some details. When my truck shut down, it went silent . No click , nothing. No dash lights. I could not find a link to follow. Nothing works.
I checked connections and got it to crank . When I shut it off it went back to sleep, I suspect a short , maybe in the ignition ,but, I'm not sure what the
short should look like if I found it.I am hoping that in my details I might reveal a clue that tells you " Oh , that could only be ....."
Jun 24, 2010 at 10:37 AM
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INTERNETMECHANIC
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I'd have to test circuits, find out what's missing? Sorry, I don't have a silver bullet. If doing a little testing is out of the question, I'm not sure how to help??
Jun 24, 2010 at 2:14 PM
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BIGGJ
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thanks,
My plan right now is to use the electrical wiring diagram from my repair manual as a map. Then , using the continuity setting on my multitester ; go wire by wire ,component by component through the ignition system. I will let you know if anything good comes of this.
Jun 25, 2010 at 6:47 AM
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