RAM 1500 won’t start – how to fix it

Whether battery, injector or starter – if the RAM 1500 does not want to start, there can be various reasons. We help you find the cause of your car start-up problems and maybe even fix them yourself.

First, ask yourself the all-important question: “Have I tanked enough?” It’s hard to believe, but surprisingly many people forget in the hustle and bustle of everyday life easily the refueling. You are not one of them? All right, let’s go troubleshooting together.

Battery

If your RAM 1500 starter does not work at all or only works very slowly when starting, an empty car battery could be to blame. For example, low temperatures have a significant impact on loading capacity. But there are other causes for a lack of ignition current.

What you will need:
– Obtain jump leads or
– Get the battery charger

Jump start in 4 steps:

1. The red cable is used to connect the two positive terminals on donor battery and RAM 1500 battery.
2. The black cable is clamped with one end to the negative pole of the truck and the donor battery.
3. You can also connect the black (negative) cable to the engine block or body of the vehicle. Connect this cable as far away from the battery as possible so that flying sparks don’t damage the battery.
4. Start the engine with the donor battery connected.

Car charger: how it works

1. Make sure that you only use chargers that switch themselves off as soon as the battery is fully charged.
2. The car charger must match the battery (performance, area of ​​application).
3. The RAM 1500 battery does not necessarily have to be removed.
4. Check the acid level before loading (if under mark: refill distilled water).
5. Connect the poles with the appropriate cables (negative pole always disconnected first and last connected to avoid a short circuit)
6. Switch on the charger

Change battery:

1. Prepare the correct size pliers and wrench.
2. Switch off all electrical devices in the car.
3. Remove the fastening nut on the negative pole.
4. Remove the fixing screw from the positive terminal.
5. Simply unhook the battery holder and remove the battery.
6. Insert new battery and fix with bracket.
7. Attach the positive terminal to the positive pole.
8. Attach the earth clamp to the negative pole.

Power supply interrupted

The power supply to your car may be interrupted. It is important to find out whether it is due to sharp marten teeth or an oxidized earth cable.

How to fix

• Take a look under the hood and see if you can see any damage to cables and wires.
• If there is no visible damage, you may be able to restore the power supply yourself: unscrew the ground cable, grind it bare and provide it with some pole grease.
• Screw the cables back on.

Starter problems

Our emergency tip for the starter does not prevent you from going to a workshop anyway. At best, you can still drive to the workshop yourself and don’t have to have your car towed.

Temporary fix

• Find the starter (hidden deep in the engine compartment between the gearbox and engine), at best with a lifting platform.
• Tap the starter lightly with a hammer to get the small electric motor going again.

Leaking gasoline

That’s about the worst that can happen to your car – not because of the damage to the vehicle or the fact that your car won’t start, but because of the great damage to the environment. There can be many reasons for the gasoline leak: leaky connections, torn hoses, oxidized fuel filters.

What you can do about it

• Wipe up the spilled fuel with binders or sawdust
• Call your workshop. Work on fuel lines should only be done by professionals.

Fault in fuel pump or injection system

A poorly adjusted pump can result in the fuel being delayed or injected in the wrong amount. For diesel owners with some previous experience, we have a small guide.

• Open the hood.
• Remove all lines from the pump and loosen the nuts.
• Find the top dead center of the first piston. You can recognize this by the marking on the gears on the front of the motor.
• Swing the pump to a position fifteen degrees from TDC.
• To check, you can now remove the line for the first cylinder on the pump and turn the motor.
• If the first diesel drop comes out as soon as the piston is fifteen degrees from its TDC, you have done it right.

Repair injection pump

If the problems persist even though the injection pump has been stopped, it could simply be defective. In this case, you should go to a workshop.

Ignition broken

The following symptoms indicate a defective ignition lock: If you turn on the ignition, nothing happens. It doesn’t “click”, the truck doesn’t start.

We would not recommend that you repair your ignition yourself. Therefore: If you suspect a defective ignition, please go to the workshop!

Other causes of start problems

• Electrical failure in the car
• Broken alternator
• Gasoline filters or lines are clogged
• The ignition coils are broken
• The fuel pump is broken or not properly powered