Hey,
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 auto. 400,000 mile on it. This winter I went through a lot of starters. Finally figured out that OEM were better so put one of those on. Started and ran fine. About month ago came home shut off the truck that night, the next morning wouldn't start, all it would do is one click. Now it won't even click I have no power at all not even to the radio and jumper cables don't help. Seems like the jumper cable are going to blow up just smoke a lot and spark a lot when you hook them up almost like they are hooked up backwards. I have checked all my cables to make sure there is not a positive cable grounding out some where. I put a new starter in it. I put a new ignition switch. All my fuses are good and just put a new starter relay in and still nothing. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

Do not keep throwing parts at it!

Measure battery voltage of each battery separately ( disconnect the batteries) - if necessary charge each till full, check if voltage is the same, and drops the same in 8 hours on the disconnected batteries.
(Or get them load tested individually)

Then, if batteries check out good (or are replaced) check your battery and ground cables. Use a starter cable to connect battery - to the block and try to start- if it works your ground wiring is bad.
Also check the + wires at the battery connector- they can get lose in the lead.

 

 

If the starter contacts and/or plunger are bad then they'll short out and pop the starter fuse. Trying to jump it will only result in sparks and more problems because its grounding out. LarryB and Geno's Garage sell starter contact/plunger kits. Easy to replace and should only be necessary about every 100k miles or so.

 

Sounds suspiciously like the park neutral safety switch disabling your starter.
(Check by moving the gear lever while trying to start. It's normal for the radio to be turned off while the ignition switch is in the start position)
Another thing to look at would be the 140A main fuse in the PDC.

When you did the screwdriver to the starter thing - was it only fireworks or fireworks plus engine turning over?

 

 

OK, now take a test light and check for power to the small cable on the starter while trying to start- if there is power- the starter solenoid is shot- if there is no power- take a look at the park neutral safety switch.
Or supply power from the big starter cableto the small one- if starter turns engine over- starter OK, something else blocks the start signal.