1991 dodge ram 250 van 318 engine won't start

What happens when you turn the key to on? Do the warning lights and gauges come on? Turning the key to start, do the lights and gauges stay on? Just nothing at the starter?

Or does power just shut off when you turn the key to start, everything goes out, no warning lights or gauges? Then check cables, battery terminals, grounds for clean tight connections. There is a problem between the battery and the ignition switch.

If the switch still receives and sends power out (to the dash, for one) but start circuit is not working (from battery to ignition switch to clutch switch to starter relay to starter solenoid to starter to ground-and back to battery), then here's where we at: with key off, use a small screwdriver and short the big cable at starter to the starter solenoid small wire connection, or use a small jumper wire to do the same-battery cable at starter to the small wire connection on the starter solenoid. Starter motor should spin and crank engine. Does it? If so, start checking the start wire out of ignition switch for power when key is held in start. If you have a clutch switch, check for power in with key in start. Should have battery voltage to the clutch switch with key held in start. Keep checking the start wire along the start circuit. Not sure how the start relay is wired into the circuit, would have to see a diagram, but if you pull the relay out and use a test light or multi meter, could check for power on the terminals where relay plugs in. Key off, should have one terminal that is hot. With key held in start, at least one other terminal should also be hot. This would be the start wire out of ignition switch sending a signal to the relay.
Good luck, hope you find it. Sorry I don't have a wiring diagram to help you more.

Check battery connections and battery fuse. Battery may not be large enough for the size of your van

To clarify - the engine cranks then starts.
If it won't crank in any gear, I would check the neutral safety switch first.
You can also jumper the starter solenoid to make sure the starter will crank the engine manually without the circuit from the key switch.

check all of the grounds, battery to engine, battery to body and so on

I hope that you have disconnected the battery fire could happen relay click's but will stick at drain could be the fuel pump you hear with the continuse click you might have a shorted starter.I think thats the first place to start.A bad ignition switch will cause this to happen sometimes?

Try boosting the van.If that works then you either need to clean the cables and battery posts or you need a battery.If boosting it does not work then you may need a starter or the cables to it have came loose,also the engine ground could be the culprit,if this is true then put your booster cables in this configuration;positive to positive and negative from the boosting cars negative post to your engine's block,find a good clean grounding point on the block and hook the clamp there.If the van starts then clean the factory ground point,replace the cable end,or replace the cable.Let me know if none of this info helps and i will give you more things to try.

There is a starter solenoid between the battery and the starter. Check that to see if it has gone bad. It will not set a light. you can jumper from the power lead to the starter post to see if it engages. Be sure you are in neutral if this is a standard shift because you will be bypassing the neutral switch. The solenoid is on the firewall or well well depending on your options configuration.

Hope this helps

the click is caused by the contacts in the starter solenoid being burned and erroded, your truck has a Japanese starter and this is the problem they have most often, and always the give away is the click. U can replace the contacts or the starter solenoid.

Greetings!

Let's keep things simple to start with... Check the battery that it has sufficient charge. (I did say to keep it simple). Ensure the gear selector is in Park or Neutral if equipped with an automatic trans, or depress the clutch pedal if equipped with a manual trans.

Lastly, in keeping things simple... check all the fuses and fuse links (special fusible wire) that power is available to your vehicle's electrical system.

With a test light, check the starter relay with the key in start position is energising the starter relay... bypass the starter relay if no power is present. if the starter operates, you now know the problem is located within the start control circuit (from the key switch through the starter relay to ground via a neutral safety switch (auto) or clutch switch (Manual).

finding the fault should be quick with a circuit diagram.

Cheers, Jay

Park van so that you can safely access the starter. I use ramps under front wheels and put it in park and set the parking brakes. Disconnect positive battery cable at battery, disconnect starter battery cable and ignition wires from starter solenoid (remember terminal locations as these will attach to new starter solenoid). Remove old starter. Replace with new starter. Re-attach wiring in reverse order.