ok heres the problem
i was helping my buddy put power windows in his 02 dodge dakota with the v6 magnum yesterday
well we got the windows working and now teh truck wont start
when teh key is in teh on position the odometer dosent come on and the gauges dont work, but teh radio will still come on and off...when u go to start the truck the starter doesnt even click or anything
so we checked the fuses and got all them straightend out....well still nothing, so i used a test light on all the fuses adn a few dont have power( starter,engine relay fuse,)
so i popped his hood and checked teh fuses in the relay box all good,

i figured its gotta be the relays right?
or is there another fuseable link somewhere else?
or any more ideas cuz im stumped.....

Has to be a fusible link. Probably looks like a standard wire somewhere. Relays would only control accessories, not a main device like a starter. Best to browse some Dakota forums and ask them for the locations of fusible links.

Let me guess, you didn't disconnect the battery before you went to work and shorted something out?

If you're not getting power to the fuses, then it probably blew a fusible link somewhere. If you can, grab a Chilton's or Haynes book on it, that way you would at least have a wiring diagram to help you.
Hi RooK, some vehicles actually do have starter relays (91 and up Park Ave immediately comes to mind). GM buried it way under the dash, on a bracket attached to a brace, as if relays never, ever go bad.
And 2fast, 10 demerits for not disconnecting the battery first.

i know i know, should have disconected the battery but i figured naw no need to.....im gonna go try and find a dakota forum

Here ya go, 2fast: AutomotiveForums-Dakota

Hope that helps ya!

guys thanks for the help, were still no go but were getting closer i think

Keep us informed! Imkinda curious about whats causing it. Thats also why I always d/c the BATT, may get lucky without doing it for awhile, but only takes one time,

i kinda feel like an idiot......
well it turns out when we checked all the fuses and replaced any that were bad we forgot to put one in where the starter goes
i feel like a real dork

but hey its all better!!

Some guy at work the other day put in a dome light and shorted it out. None of his interior lights worked. We looked all over that thing for a blown fuse, but forgot to look at this odd contraption with two inside it. That was it of course... sometimes the answers stare you right in the face.

Well, they are more effective when you put them in the fuse panel... Glad you got it fixed!

Always the simple answer is the right one!

im so glad thats all it was, and for the record ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE BATTERY before you start working it will save you alot of trouble