I have a 93 I ton Dodge that started, when I put it in reverse the engine died and won't crank. The motor will turn over if I jump across the starter, but won't start. No gauges work, all fuses are good. 12.7 volts at battery. It has a new battery and cables. I disconnected the computer thinking there may be some corrosion in the connection, all OK at connection.

I'm in Fort Mohave AZ, and I need to get to work tomorrow in Flagstaff AZ.

Thanks,

 

Check all the power feed wires at the battery (fusible link wires) http://www.genosgarage.com/GenosGara...NoStartTip.pdf

 

If I was experiencing those symptoms I'd check the connections of the FSS before anything else.

 

You popped a fusible link or have a bad ignition switch. If you gut the fss and jump the starter it will run but likely not charge, no overdrive and still no gauges

 

Thanks,

What is FSS?

 

Fuel shutoff solenoid. I remember when I first found this site, there were so many acronyms it made my head spin. The fss needs 12 volts to it to stay open and not block off the fuel flow. It is pretty common for the spade connector to loosen up and cause an iffy contact. Two suggestions are to "gut" the fss and use the manual shutoff or to put a more positive "eye" connector on the wire to the fss. Try running a wire directly from the positive terminal an the battery directly to the fss and see if it starts...Mark

 

OK I tried the ignition switch, still doesn't start.

I put a hot wire from the battery to the fuel shutoff solenoid and jumped the starter and it will start. Can't find any in-line fuses. Any suggestions as to where I should look?

Thanks,

 

Sorry,

I thought you knew what FSS meant.

Look at the wiring harness on the drivers side behind the battery, halfway from the back of the battery to the firewall. There are 3 sets of relays. Those relays control the fss, or at least one of them does. In the sticky there is a real easy procedure for swapping relays to see if the relay went bad. The sticky usually points out the most common issues. Personally I wouldn't gut the FSS because then you can't shut the truck off without a pull cable. The ASD relay (Auto Shutdown Relay) is located on the inner fender, and you can swap it around with one of the other relays to see if it fixes the issue. If so, replace with new.

Otherwise,

There are "fusable links" in that same area. Its the rats nest of wires that are parallel to the fender that are below the relays. Look for a "burned or broken" wire there, as the fusable link burns itself out if there was a short somewhere, then causes the power to not go to the relays.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...04&postcount=3

The ASD relay should be the one in the middle in this first picture of this thread. Your truck may differ based upon year and options of a/c, etc. It also tells you how to replace your fusable links when they go bad to fuses that can be easily replaced.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...09#post1407509


You should spend some time reading the sticky as it's a wealth of self help tips.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...t-t102027.html

 

To me the part that points towards a ignition switch or fusible link. You've already tried the switch, how did the connector look?

Personally I would of checked the fusible links first just because its free. You can't see a burnt fusible link (usually) best way to check is a test light on both sides and then touch up the holes with liquid tape. They will also feel like a elastic when they have failed.

Swapping the asd relay is another free check as well

 

Thank you to all that have replied. I have found the problem. I opened the covering to the wire harness on the left fender well and found some "innovated wiring" had been done in the past. The main wire from the battery to other wires in the harness had twisted together connections and bare wires everwhere. I have soldered all the connections and properly sealed them. Works great now!!