Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 459

8F - 28 STARTING
STARTING (Continued)
CONDITION
STARTER ENGAGES,
FAILS TO TURN
ENGINE.
STARTER ENGAGES,
SPINS OUT BEFORE
ENGINE STARTS.
STARTER DOES NOT
DISENGAGE.
INSPECTION
For complete starter wiring circuit diagrams, refer
to 8, Wiring Diagrams. Before removing any unit
from starting system for repair or diagnosis, perform
the following inspections:
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, REFER TO 8, PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYS-
TEMS, BEFORE ATTEMPTING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT
PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE.
FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS
COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOY-
MENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
• Battery - Visually inspect battery for indica-
tions of physical damage and loose or corroded cable
connections. Determine state-of-charge and cranking
capacity of battery. Charge or replace battery if
required. Refer to Battery in 8, Battery. Note: If
equipped with diesel engine, a dual battery sys-
tem may be used, and both batteries must be
inspected.
• Ignition Switch - Visually inspect ignition
switch for indications of physical damage and loose
or corroded wire harness connections. Refer to Igni-
tion Switch and Key Lock Cylinder.
Starting System Diagnosis
POSSIBLE CAUSE
1. Battery discharged or
faulty.
2. Starting circuit wiring
faulty.
3. Starter motor faulty.
4. Engine seized.
1. Starter ring gear faulty.
2. Starter motor faulty.
1. Starter motor
improperly installed.
2. Starter relay faulty.
3. Ignition switch faulty.
4. Starter motor faulty.
ANY STEERING
CORRECTION
1. Refer to Battery. Charge or replace battery if required.
2. Refer to 8, Wiring Diagrams. Test and repair starter
feed and/or control circuits if required.
3. If all other starting system components and circuits test
OK, replace starter motor assembly.
4. Refer to Engine Diagnosis in the Diagnosis and Testing
section of 9, Engine.
1. Refer to Starter Motor Removal and Installation.
Remove starter motor to inspect starter ring gear.
Replace starter ring gear if required.
2. If all other starting system components and circuits test
OK, replace starter motor assembly.
1. Refer to Starter Motor Removal and Installation.
Tighten starter mounting hardware to correct torque
specifications.
2. Refer to Starter Relay Diagnosis and Testing. Replace
starter relay if required.
3. Refer to Ignition Switch and Key Lock Cylinder.
Replace ignition switch if required.
4. If all other starting system components and circuits test
OK, replace starter motor.
• Clutch Pedal Position Switch - If equipped
with manual transmission, visually inspect clutch
pedal position switch for indications of physical dam-
age and loose or corroded wire harness connections.
Refer to Clutch Pedal Position Switch in 6,
Clutch.
• Park/Neutral Position Switch - If equipped
with automatic transmission, visually inspect park/
neutral position switch for indications of physical
damage and loose or corroded wire harness connec-
tions. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch in
21, Transmission.
• Starter Relay - Visually inspect starter relay
for indications of physical damage and loose or cor-
roded wire harness connections.
• Starter Motor - Visually inspect starter motor
for indications of physical damage and loose or cor-
roded wire harness connections.
• Starter Solenoid - Visually inspect starter sole-
noid for indications of physical damage and loose or
corroded wire harness connections.
• Wiring - Visually inspect wire harnesses for
damage. Repair or replace any faulty wiring, as
required. Refer to 8, Wiring Diagrams.
DR