I'm on side of road. Smelled electrics burning, truck died, starter kicked on and wouldn't stop. I had to unhook batteries to shut it down. It looks like top of fuel shut off is melted. I'm wondering if I can bypass that to get home? I'm in my 94, btw. I just got done braggin about her when I left this morning.

 

Hopefully someone will chime in soon.

I'm no good on the old trucks.

 

Thanks. $120 later ots home so I just have to figure out whats going on now.

 

Did the starter kick in before the truck died, or a bit later?

Can't see how the starter kicking in is related to a melted fuel shut off valve, unless the starter solenoid wire runs over the shutoff. Perhaps you actually have two problems?

I would start (pardon the pun) the investigation by tracing back the starter solenoid wires and check that nothing is burned or shorted. Not familiar with your year of truck, but I seem to remember reading about some problems with the ignition switch. Also, there has been problems with the solenoid contacts, but unless they were somehow jiggled to close, doubt if that is your present problem.

Keep us posted on what you found so that we can all learn.

 

I had a quick look before I went to work and there are some wires that cross over the top of the fuel shut off solenoid and they nigh have been affected by the burning solenoid. The whole top off it was melted and the wires going to it burns pretty badly. I had a front right tire tread delaminate last week and it ripped off my inner fender panel. It was raining pretty hard today so I think that water was being thrown up on the alternator wreaking all kinds of havoc. Probably caused a voltage spike and starts frying things.

 

Sounds more and more like you have a yet to be determined primary problem that caused a secondary problem - the starter.

 

You need to get one of these, or your new solenoid will burn up again.


Fuel System Accessories & Replacement Parts - FUEL SOLENOID SAVER DIODE ('94-'98, 5.9L)

 

Yup, sounds like that would have saved me some coin.

 

Nice to see that an expert chimed in here and set you on the right track. Presume that you know about Genos Garage for parts? Sounds like a new set of starter contacts, a new solenoid and a diode may get you rolling again.

 

You will need this also if burnt out.

Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel and Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Parts, Accessories and Tech Info