OK.. recent went thru the fun job of replacing all the bolts in the steering gear after they decided to kill themselves ( all snapped at the steering gear box) and have run into a no start issue.

After getting everything back together and driving it a few times it just didn't seem to be warming up so after popping to radiator cap off and watching air bubbles for 30 minutes or so I decided it was good. Used about a gallon of water washed out around air box where the water/coolant mixture seemed to have run the most. Let it run another 10 minutes and then shut if off.

Came out 30 minutes later. No start. Dash lights lite up. Turn key. CLICK. Everything dead. About the only thing I've been able to do was keep the system energized long enough to get the windows back up since rain threaten a bit.

Here is what I have done. Basically NO effect.

1. Checked all the ECU connctors on driver's side fender well.
2. Removed and cleaned all Grounds except the one at the back of the head. ( Heard this was for radio interference anyway but it also got just too dark.) Did the one right at the battery. The one near the oil dipstick. And the two over near the ECU.
3. Took off the ground and positive battery cables cleaned everything with a wire brush ( again ) reconnected.
4. Took of starter since everything down there looked REALLY grimey/dirty. Took it apart cleaned everything and then re-installed

( Changed oil while I was at it.)

I've checked every connection that would make sense to check and it does the same thing repeatedly.

Check the cables, ecu connectors, everything else I can touch. Turn on ignition. Dash lights lite up. Turn key. CLICK. Everything goes dead.

More back ground recently have cleaned NSS. Replaced CPS with Mopar part ( read tonight about some plastic cover which helps hold positioning but I know I do not have any plastic cover. what I read seem to indicate that without the cover you might could easily damage the CPS..Hmmm).
NEW Battery Connectors ( cheap but new ), Replaced Both O2 Sensors ( cat and rear had been cut off by PO), New muffler and High Flow Cat.

Have been chasing a rough idle mis-fire but it always started and once moving ran GREAT.

Bafflle and Frustrated.

Any help appreciated.

 

Have you load tested the battery?

 

First thing i think of is the starter is shorting out, since everything is ok until you try to actually start it right?

 

Actually i take that back, if that was the case it would just be blowing fuses.
So yeah do what Flowpro said and have the starter tested while you're at it. About 2 years ago my battery wen bad, all it did when i tried to start it was take a clicking sound with the starter.

 

Just last night my wife went out to do an errand. She returned home and about a half an hour later I needed to move her truck. Go out, turn the key and....click........dash lights dim....no start. It just started and ran fine a half an hour previously. I took the battery in to load test it and it was bad......it was 7 years old though. $110 later and all was well. Batteries aren't very cheap any more I found out.

Rule out the basics first. At least check the voltage of the battery then have someone crank the engine over and see if the voltage drops substantially.

 

THE END RESULT / FIX

Battery Tested Good. Replaced because it was wrong size.
Replaced Starter. It was REALLY nasty inside and I figured well that's it. And at 248K miles if I don't next week the thing will fail.

SAME PROBLEM!

Lots of bad words.

Replaced crappy factory postive cable with new replacement with attached terminal.

Started right up.

Pulled off the Neg cable replaced it. Cleaned grounds at the coil. Rewrapped everything. Running fine.

START WITH THE CHEAP EASY PARTS FIRST! ESP ONES YOU KNOW ARE MARGINAL.

THANKS for ALL the feedback suggestions.

 

lol glad you found it.
On the bright side, best replace those things NOW than be stranded with no ability to start at all.