1998 dodge ram 1500 won,t start off key new starter ignition

unless you have the key fob also,you need a new ignition switch,with key fob and key with a chip in it,the switch turns on the fuel pump when the chip is recognized,take it to someone that knows what they are doing,you CANNOT hotwire it.

2001 dodge ram 1500 key fob Bing

check for power from the ignition in the start position to the starter relay/ solenoid terminal.

what kind of truck could be a lose starter wire or the cylinoid could be bad

What you need to do is check to see if your getting current coming from the key switch to the starter. it's the thinnest wire that goes on the startex, that little round thing on the starter. if no current check the fuses you will see one as ( ST ) that is staring fuse. If fuse is ok then you check the starter relay and if that is ok then you might have a broken wire. to make sure the starter is working you could put the van in park and connect a jumper lead to the startex where the small wire runs to the starter and touch the next end to the B+ or 12 volts side of the battery and if the starter works then you have a broken wire.

dead short at the horn button in the steering wheel

Everything you listed is powered on only when the ignition is on. Check the ignition fuses in the dash and under the hood. May also be an ignition switch failure. :)

this is the starter relay your battery is most likley very low or the starter is bad

Battery Constant 12v+ Positive Wire (+): Black/Orange And Red/White
Battery Constant 12v+ Positive Wire Location: Ignition Switch Harness
Starter Positive Wire (+): Yellow
Starter Positive Wire Location: Ignition Switch Harness
Ignition Positive Wire (+): Blue (16 Gauge)
Ignition Positive Wire Location: Ignition Switch Harness
Second Ignition Positive Wire (+): Yellow/Red
Second Ignition Positive Wire Location: Ignition Switch Harness
Accessory Positive Wire (+): Blue (10 Gauge)
Accessory Positive Wire Location: Ignition Switch Harness
Second Accessory Positive Wire (+): Orange
Second Accessory Positive Wire Location: Ignition Switch Harness
Parking Light Positive Wire (+): Black/Yellow
Parking Light Positive Wire Location: At Headlight Switch
Power Door Lock Positive Wire (+): Orange/Violet
Power Door Lock Positive Wire Location: In Drivers Kick Panel, White 6-Pin
Power Door Unlock Positive Wire (+): Pink/Violet
Power Door Unlock Positive Wire Location: In Drivers Kick Panel, White 12-Pin
Door Trigger Negative Wire (-): Yellow
Door Trigger Negative Wire Location: At Headlight Switch
Domelight Supervision Wire: Use Door Trigger (Requires Relay)
Domelight Supervision Wire Location: N/A
Horn Negative Wire (-): Black/Red
Horn Negative Wire Location: At Steering Column Harness
Tachometer Wire Negative Wire (-): Gray
Tachometer Wire Negative Wire Location: At PCM, Connector 1, Pin A7. The PCM (powertrain control module) is located on the firewall next to the wiper motor.
Brake Light Positive Wire (+): White/Tan
Brake Light Positive Wire Location: At Switch Above Brake Pedal
Factory Alarm Disarm Wire (-): Black/Orange (To disarm requires a (-) negative through a 1565 ohm resistor and an extra relay to connect.)
Factory Alarm Disarm Wire Location: In Drivers Kick Panel, White 12 Pin Plug
Factory Anti-Theft System: N/A
Factory Anti-Theft System Location: N/A

it sounds like your key may be worn out.

check the charge on the battery. then maybe your starter is out.