2) Connect voltmeter positive lead to negative battery cable
clamp. Connect voltmeter negative lead to negative battery post. Crank
engine and observe voltmeter reading. If voltage is detected, repair
poor contact between cable clamp and post. Perform same procedure to
positive battery post and cable clamp.
Ground Connection Resistance Test
Connect voltmeter negative lead to negative battery post.
Connect voltmeter positive lead to engine block, near negative battery
cable grounding point. Crank engine and observe voltmeter reading. If
voltmeter reading indicates more than 0.2 volt, repair poor ground
connection or replace ground cable.
Starter Ground Connection Resistance Test
Connect voltmeter negative lead to negative battery post.
Connect voltmeter positive lead to starter housing. Crank engine and
observe voltmeter reading. If voltmeter reading indicates more than 0.
2 volt, repair poor starter-to-ground connection.
Positive Battery Cable Resistance Test
1) Remove starter heat shield (if equipped) to gain access t\
o
starter solenoid connections. Connect voltmeter negative lead to
starter solenoid battery terminal and voltmeter positive lead to
positive battery post.
2) Crank engine and observe voltmeter reading. If voltage
reads more than 0.2 volt, correct poor connection between battery
cable and starter solenoid or replace positive battery cable.
SOLENOID CIRCUIT TEST
NOTE: Perform SOLENOID CIRCUIT TEST before testing starter relay
and starter relay circuit. Ensure A/T is in Park position or
M/T is in Neutral position and parking brake is applied.
1) Disable vehicle ignition and fuel systems. See
DISABLING/ENABLING IGNITION & FUEL SYSTEMS.
2) Ensure battery is fully charged. Ensure solenoid
connections are not loose or corroded. Remove starter relay from Power
Distribution Center (PDC). Refer to PDC cover for proper relay
location. PDC is located in engine compartment.
3) Connect a remote starter switch or jumper wire between
starter relay socket terminal No. 87 and positive battery post. See
Fig. 1 or 2. If engine cranks, solenoid and starter are good. Go to
STARTER RELAY TEST.
4) If engine fails to crank, or if solenoid chatters, check
wiring and connectors from starter relay socket to starter solenoid
terminal. Repair any loose or corroded connections. If engine still
fails to crank, remove starter and proceed to SOLENOID TEST under
BENCH TESTING.
STARTER RELAY TEST
NOTE: Perform SOLENOID CIRCUIT TEST before testing starter relay.
Remove starter relay from Power Distribution Center (PDC).
Refer to PDC cover for proper relay location. PDC is located in engine
compartment. Connect 12-volt power source to starter relay terminal
No. 86 and ground terminal No. 85. See Fig. 1 or 2. Using ohmmeter,
check continuity across starter relay terminals No. 30 and 87. If
continuity is not present, replace starter relay.
CHECKING FLUID LEVEL
Transmission
1) Drive vehicle until engine and transmission are at normal
operating temperature. Park vehicle on level surface. Apply parking
brake.
2) With engine idling, move shift lever through all gear
ranges, ending in Neutral. Check fluid level. Fluid level should be at
the MAX arrow mark area on dipstick with transmission fluid
temperature at 180
F (82C). Add appropriate type of transmission
fluid if necessary. See RECOMMENDED FLUID. DO NOT overfill
transmission.
Transfer Case
Park vehicle on level surface. Remove transfer case fill plug
from rear of transfer case. Fluid level should even with bottom of
transfer case fill plug hole on rear of transfer case. Add appropriate
type of transfer case fluid if necessary. See RECOMMENDED FLUID.
Install and tighten transfer case fill plug to specification. See
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
Power Take-Off (PTO) Adapter (Ram Pickup 2WD 2500 & 3500)
Park vehicle on level surface. Remove fill plug from rear of
PTO adapter. See Fig. 3. Fluid level should even with bottom of fill
plug hole on rear of PTO adapter. Add appropriate type of fluid if
necessary. See RECOMMENDED FLUID. Install and tighten fill plug to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
Fig. 3: Locating Fill Plug & Drain Plug On PTO Adapter (Ram
Pickup 2WD 2500 & 3500)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
RECOMMENDED FLUID
Dakota & Durango
1) Raise and support vehicle. Ensure shift lever is in Park.
Release shift cable adjuster lock. Shift cable adjuster lock is
located on shift cable, just below brake booster.
2) Disconnect shift cable from transmission shift lever on
transmission. Ensure transmission is still in Park by rotating
transmission shift lever fully toward rear of vehicle to Park detent.
3) Verify parking sprag on transmission is engaged by
attempting to rotate drive shaft. Install shift cable on transmission
shift lever. Lock shift cable in place by pressing shift cable
adjuster lock downward until it snaps into place.
4) To verify proper adjustment, check that engine only starts
with shift lever in Park and Neutral. If engine starts in any other
gears except Park or Neutral, shift cable may be improperly adjusted
or park/neutral position switch may be defective.
Ram Van/Wagon
1) Raise and support vehicle. Ensure shift lever is in Park.
Unsnap shift cable from ball at transmission shift lever on
transmission. See Fig. 6.
2) Check that transmission is still in Park by rotating
transmission shift lever fully toward rear of vehicle to Park detent
position. Release cable adjuster at transmission end of shift cable to
unlock shift cable. See Fig. 6. Snap shift cable back on ball at
transmission shift lever. Press cable lock inward to secure shift
cable.
3) To verify proper adjustment, ensure engine only starts
with shift lever in Park and Neutral. Shift lever should not move from
Park when ignition switch is in LOCK position. Shift lever should move
from Park when ignition switch is in any position except LOCK
position.
Fig. 6: Locating Cable Adjuster (Ram Van/Wagon)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
SHIFT LINKAGE
