2007 2500 Mega Cab 5.9Diesel - intermittent won't start

[rsdvm]

Hi, I have been into the dealership 3 times to have an intermittent starting problem resolved. Todate, they have not been able to find any problem.

Intermittently (without consistent time of day or other discernable pattern), the truck will not start (starter motor does not engage) when the key is turned over. The electrical system appears to be operating normally - radio, lights, AC/heating fan, dashboard displays all appear normal and functional and there are no idiot light that are lit. The battery display needle is well inside the black arc indicating appropiate voltage. Multiple attempts to start the vehicle will be fruitless. Then eventually it will start. My wife (bought the truck for her, so she is the primary driver) says that if she gets out and raises the hood and tries to move the battery cables on the driver's side battery, the vehicle will start thereafter. The cables do not appear to be loose at the attachment to the battery terminals.

The Dealership Service staff has:

Pulled the batteries and bench tested them several times
Pulled the alarm system and reinstalled it (once) as well as checked the connections (several times)
Checked the cables (multiple times)
Checked the fuse box (multiple times)
Checked the engine codes (no pertinent codes)
The problem has been going on for months now. The dealership appears to be rechecking the same thing that have been fruitless before and then they are done and hand it back to us. Of course, it does not act up when they are working on it.

Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated - my wife is getting a little bitter!

Thanks, Rusty

[GregG628]

Hey Rusty, no help here,sorry. i have an 06 2500 megacab 5.9 CTD. Have'nt had it long. Not sure we're haveing the same exact issue. It seems like when I use my emergency brake on a slope I go to start and everything is on, but nothing. I push on the brake and nothing. I take off the emergency brake turn off the ingition and restart and then if fires. Seems like I've had it do it even with out the emg brake on. For mine I'm thinking its a safety thing. (neurtral safety type switch ) Once again switch off then back on and it fires. Rarely happens so I'm not going to the dealer for now. I think it's just a procedure I may not be doing. Hope someone has some info. for us.. Good Luck : ) P.S. My Girlfriend says I should check my manual.. Bah Hum Bug LOL

[rsdvm]

Thanks Greg,
Our problem has worsened over the past 6 months. It is now a multiple times a week problem.

Rusty

[GregG628]

Hey Rusty, Sorry I was no help, hopeing some one will chime in and let us both know "what it is"
Good Luck
Greg

[marine6]

Hi, I have been into the dealership 3 times to have an intermittent starting problem resolved. Todate, they have not been able to find any problem.

Intermittently (without consistent time of day or other discernable pattern), the truck will not start (starter motor does not engage) when the key is turned over. The electrical system appears to be operating normally - radio, lights, AC/heating fan, dashboard displays all appear normal and functional and there are no idiot light that are lit. The battery display needle is well inside the black arc indicating appropiate voltage. Multiple attempts to start the vehicle will be fruitless. Then eventually it will start. My wife (bought the truck for her, so she is the primary driver) says that if she gets out and raises the hood and tries to move the battery cables on the driver's side battery, the vehicle will start thereafter. The cables do not appear to be loose at the attachment to the battery terminals.

The Dealership Service staff has:

Pulled the batteries and bench tested them several times
Pulled the alarm system and reinstalled it (once) as well as checked the connections (several times)
Checked the cables (multiple times)
Checked the fuse box (multiple times)
Checked the engine codes (no pertinent codes)
The problem has been going on for months now. The dealership appears to be rechecking the same thing that have been fruitless before and then they are done and hand it back to us. Of course, it does not act up when they are working on it.

Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated - my wife is getting a little bitter!

Thanks, Rusty
Is your truck a manual transmission?
If it is you may want to check the clutch switch. if it is loose or out of alignment it will cause this problem. If you own an automatic i cant help sorry.

Regards

[marine6]

Just got another probable answer from My coworker who has had a similir problem with his O5 2500 with an automatic. He said it was in the electronic part of the shifting mecanisim for the 4 wheel on the fly switch in the cab (Some Malfunction due to water ingress into the switching electronics) He also said he would get back to me tomorrow with better details.

Regards

[vette driver]

On my 06 RAm 2500HD Diesel 6 speed I have had this trouble and could at times change the clutch pedal travel a bit from the bottom and it would start. At the present time I am having trouble with the clutch not allowing me to shift with the vehicle running. With the engine off the transmission shifts fine.

[marine6]

My buddy and I just solved the 06 and 06 clutch probels with our 2500 6 speed, We both had the same problem the pressure plate failed and the flywheels needed resurfacing. My truck had 34000 miles on it my buddies had 35000 miles. Sounds like a systemic problem with that VIN dodge

[Bamataco]

Then eventually it will start. My wife (bought the truck for her, so she is the primary driver) says that if she gets out and raises the hood and tries to move the battery cables on the driver's side battery, the vehicle will start thereafter. The cables do not appear to be loose at the attachment to the battery terminals.

This is the only thing not covered already that I can think of. Go under the hood and look at the battery cables on the drivers side. They may touch some other wires that are actually causeing a short. So when she shakes the cables they are moving the other wires and the short no longer exist. It's a long shot but it is simular to one that I have had before on a Chevy truck.