My '97 5.2L 4x4 dodge ram suddenly won't start. I drove it all day, took it to the gym, and it wouldn't start up to bring me home. I thought it might have been moisture in the distributor cap, cause that happened before. But the next day it wouldn't start up, took the cap off, no moisture. There was spark going from the coil to the cap, but I can't be sure how much, if any, spark was going from the cap to the plugs. The guy at the shop said it could be a "crank" sensor on the passenger side of the transmission. Could this be? He said if it failed it could restrict fuel and/or spark. With the air filter system off and crank the engine, I could not smell fuel. Doesn't mean it wasn't there, I just didn't smell it. Let me know what kind of troubleshooting things I can try. Thanks

-Andrew

 

Has the fuel pump been replaced before? I've heard of these failing right after a fill up.

 

that would really be unfortunate, and I had just put 20 gallons in it. I've only had the truck for 2-3 years, but I would assume it has never been replaced. Is the fuel pump inside the fuel tank? Would i be able to hear the pump come on if I turn the ignition key to the "on" position?

and the sensor i was referring to is the "crankshaft position sensor"

also, isn't there a spray I can shoot into the carb to see if the spark plugs are working properly?

 

Ooops. I think it may be your pump. Yes, you should be able to hear the pump come on for several seconds after you turn the key. Can you check for cranking fuel pressure?

The CPS is basically just a magnet, so that is fairly bullet-proof.

If you want to check for spark, just remove a plug and ground it at a convenient spot. Then crank the engine.

 

if the crank sensor is dead I believe you wont get any spark... no signal to tell the pcm what position the crank is in

 

If it was the CPS,as said,you would get no spark.If you're getting spark to the cap,its not that.

You can spray starter fluid into the TB and see if it runs,to see if it's a fuel related problem.

 

so i sprayed some starter fluid into the intake and it started up but quickly died. i did this three times just to be sure the cylinders were firing. So obviously this means it's a fuel related problem. Pending I don't hear the pump come on when I turn the key, is it pretty much guaranteed to be the fuel pump? I would have already checked for noise from the fuel pump, but I didn't have anyone with me to turn the key while I listened by the tank. I'll see if I can do this later this evening.

Is there anything else I should check before going after the fuel pump? Cause I'd hate to find a way to store 22 gallons of gas, drop the tank, replace the pump, and have that not be the problem you know?

by the way you guys are awesome, thanks for the help thus far

 

I can hear the pump whiring when I'm in sitting in the driver's seat and turning the key on. The only other thing I could think it might be is a plugged fuel filter.

 

yea my dad suggested the same thing, that it might be a plugged fuel filter. I would think if that was the case though, that it might at least putter a little bit and stall you know?

Like, when it originally wouldn't start, it would putter then die, putter then die. By the next day, it would just turnover with no puttering, nothing.

 

I agree with your fuel filter logic, but stranger things have happened . It doesn't hurt to check a few things before you go to the trouble of draining and dropping the tank. If you don't hear the pump come on, I would check for blown fuse or wiring fault. If it does, then I would check for pressure at the fuel rail. There is a test port there for that purpose. You can get an inexpensive fuel pressure test gauge at AZ or Pep Boyz, etc. that connects to this port.

Also, if you have another car or friends that would like a deal on gas, I would just transfer it over to another vehicle rather than trying to store it.