Dakota won't start. Acts like it's shorting out when starting. Help for automotive dummy please?

Question

My 1998 Dakota (V6-automatic) has refused to start for the last week & my trusty mechanic's snow-birding until Feb.

It's just doing a total die-job when I try to start it up.
All of the lights go out (inc. dashboard and dome) and it won't even pretend to turn over. I've recharged the year old battery a couple of times with no better results.

Today I tried it and happened to leave the ignition on and noticed that the dashboard and dome lights reset after 15-20 seconds and can hear fuel pump click on. I have one fuse that's replaced with a circuit breaker. I'll see what it's on and replace it with a fuse.

I could exchange the battery with the one in my 1989 Dakota which is only 4 months old - but I don't think that's it.
Nearest garage is now 20 miles away. I'd like to get it moving at least that far.
I have Dakota parts - whole spare truck's worth for same year type (not counting 1989 4-cylinder manual from above - and excluding radiators). Good electrical skills. No automotive 1's

OK. Will swap battery. Yes, charged it in the truck. Was swapping back and forth a bit this summer and think that the connectors are pretty clean.

I'll swap in other battery, and pull connectors off and clean the wires. Yeah. I have new clamps around somewhere too. Have enough wire around to replace if needed

That will also give me a chance to check for any stray battery drainage with the DMM up to 20 amps.

Auto zone is 35 miles away. Will have to wait a while on that (see other truck question).

I should be done in a hour or so..

Oh yeah. Also appeared to be stuck in park for a while today, but it came out of it during a start attempt.
Thought maybe something to do with starter - which works though torque converter (know this cause I had it replaced 2 years ago - mechanic had never seen it done that way either..).

Too early to choose best answer - have to wait 4 hours.

But, swapped the batteries and that one WILL start the other truck with no problem.

The negative looks fine, but the positive cable was pretty grungy inside the connector, so I'll wire-brush that one down as soon as I can and try it again.

In the meanwhile, I noticed that I the GFCI for my pump-house was tripped - and after I got that going, the bulbs used to heat it weren't lit.

It's only getting down to 33 tonight, so I'll start work on that tomorrow instead (it's like a giant dog house (3x4x3') on a base that I have to lift straight up by myself).

I've a bad back, so not sure how much will get done - either one's enough to do me in.

Answer 1

I dont think it is the battery, but the cables and the clamps.
Replace the battery clamps.
Did you charge the battery in the car or take it out and charge it?
First remove the cables and take the battery out of the car. Take it to auto zont and have them preform a load test. Also have them charge it for you.
If it is bad thy will tell you( don't worry it is all free)
Now get some new battery clamps from them and eather cut off the old ones or removeee the old ones.
Install the new battery clamps and reinstall the battery.
It should now work fine.
If not post what happoned here and we will help you trace it out.

Answer 2

Change the battery. Just because it's a yr old doesn't mean it's not bad on the inside. Switch it out with a known good battery. Then if that doesn't fix your problem re post your question And I'll answer it to the best of my ability.
It could be a loose or corroded connection too. Just trying to narrow it down first.

Answer 3

Sounds like your battery cables are dirty. try cleaning them with a can of coke cola

Answer 4

have you cleaned the battery post? And if thats not it then you have a lose wire.