Help on power issues
Asked by Malisa Mar 18, 2022 at 08:32 AM about the 1997 Dodge RAM Van 1500 Cargo RWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I bought a 97 dodge ram 1500 van. Within 7
miles ,oil light came on and temp went up,but
van had oil and it wasn't hot. Then it died, I
jumpedit but when I remove cables it dies.
Is it alternator or computer or something
else. I don't have money to replace it all.
3 Answers
beatupchevy answered 2 years ago
Didn't you test drive it before you bought it ? Could be a bad battery , with the gauges spazzing out there's no telling what 's wrong , you'll need a multi meter to test the batt . I think you bought a 25 year old headache/money pit .
Sounds like a can or worms, the charging system is computer controlled so if you take the alternator off and have it tested and it comes back as good then you what’s next. And good luck finding parts, I’ve been waiting for 8 weeks for a BCM for my wife’s vehicle and it still shows back ordered. Although that old you might have good luck going aftermarket.
Sounds like the alternator. When the alternator quits the engine continues to run off the battery until the battery is dead. Have the alternator tested and recharge the battery. Also check your battery cable connections. Clean any corrosion and put some Vaseline on the terminals to prevent corrosion in the future. Hope that helps! Jim
