I have a chance to get a 97 club cab long bed auto from a guy for about 5grand. He says it won't start. He came home from work shut it off, and went out the next morning to leave and it won't start. It turns over fine, but won't light. It has about 250,000 miles on it. I'm thinking probably something to do with the shut off solenoid. What do you guys think? Is it a deal?

 

Always try to cut his price some. He will expect it and say yes or no. A few Franklins($) less could go long way on getting it fixed. And there is always something else to repair.
If body is still good it is a fair deal in my area.

 

If the space in your driveway isn't an issue, it's in good shape, and you're willing to deal with it, I'd say go for it. Sounds like it's a fuel issue, like you said.

 

Turn the key on then go out and pull up the shut off solenoid, it should stay up, then try to start it. If it starts then more than likely it sounds like the relay could be out or blue wire from the battery could be corroded, I have heard many people say that the solenoid is most often replaced part that doesnt need to be. Fosters sells the relay for $20, they are the cheapest your gonna find, I have checked all around and couldnt find one for under $50 Heres the link, http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm Good luck, if that fixes it and its not rusted through it sounds like a decent price, go for it

 

Don't start it in front of the guy or he probably won't sell it then or as cheap! Mine did the same thing so it is no doubt the selonoid

 

Try to to work him down some, it sounds like a good deal.

 

get it for cheap and then when the bill of sale is signed and you have the title go yank the defuel solenoid and drive it home, i've done that twice

 

That's what I was figuring on doing. I'm going to take a trailer anyway just in case that's not it, but after the bill of sale is signed I'll start it and drive it up on the trailer. Haha.