got in my 97 dodge 318 today and will not fire off it will turn over but willl not start where to check first

 

Pull your ignition coil wire off and check to see if you are getting any spark first.

 

Make sure you have fuel.

 

Do what was stated above, but you really need a pressure gauge to check the fuel pressure properly.

 

i have the same problem now with my 97 ram 1500 5.2 v8 turn your ignition switch on to the last position before the starter engages. this will light up ur dash gauges and ur fuel pump should prime if u cant hear it because of the buzzer let the buzzer time out about 10 sec and hold the door buzzer switch in the door jamb to stop the door buzzer and keep the door open so u can hear if the fuel pump is running.turn the key back 1 spot and back forward again u should hear the fuel pump prime. if it does u should hav e fuel if it doesnt prime maybe a bad fuel pump.

 

if u do the above check for fuel pump operation and it primes ok but still not starting then check for spark at the coil pack or power coming into the primary wires of the coil while cranking the engine. if no voltage present at coil the check the a.s.d.relay in the fuse box in the engine compartment or change it for one of the other relays that you know is working like the starter relay. if u change the relay with the starter relay and the engine wont crank then the relay is bad. if relay is good and still no spark then check for eng codes. check for models between 94-97 can use this method to get engine trouble codes 98 and later models have to use a scan tool to get engine codes. put the key into the run position and turn the switch from the off position to the run position 4 times in a row and leave the key on the run position after doing this ur check engine light will display any trouble codes by pulsing out light flashes in a series of double digits. for example for a code 23 the light will flash two flashes then short pause and 3 more flashes and then a long pause between the next code. a 55 will indicates the end of the codes.
common no start trouble codes are 11 which is a camshaft or crankshaft sensor problem which will trip the asd relay(auto shut down relay)and cut power to the injectors and the coil and will cause a no start. another common code is 12 which is batt connection problem and direct power to pcm has been disconnected within last 50 key ons which probably means the asd has been tripped. if u get a code 11 try changing the camshaft sensor before the crankshaft sensor $30 v.s.$200 the camshaft sensor is a magnetic pick up located inside the distributer under the cap and rotor just pull up on the wires once u have the cap and rotor out of the wayand it should come out with no prob. there is a test for this sensor but its pretty hard to get to and test while in the vehicle so it was easier to just change it. once u change the sensor and get the cap and rotor back together (check the cap and rotor while u have it out and change if needed) then clear the engine codes by removing the neg batt terminal for at least10-15 seconds. try to start if still no start try a few more times then check codes again if still no start if u still get a code 11 then possibly the crankshaft sensor its located on the passenger side of the tranny bellhousing pull it out and have it tested or look up and perform the tests in place this sensor is about $200 so dont replace needlessly. if either of these sensors dont work it will trip the asd and there will be no spark no injector pulses and the fuel pump will cut out too. hope this helps to narrow it down for you.

 

this is all covered in chapter 5 and 6 of the 94 through 2001 dodge pick ups haynes repair manual if you want any more info or let me know the codes you get and i can look them up and post them. on my truck so far i have done the above and still not running i am going to replace the crank sensor tomorrow if this is the culpret it has been on its way out for a bit because i have had hard starts and stalling in the past few months and seemed like the truck was missing or out of time at low speeds and moderate acceleration which makes sense because the computer would be getting bad timing signals if this sensor is faulty or worn out. let you know if i get mine running after changing.

 

The only real way to check the fuel pump is with a gauge. They can still run, but not pump any fuel.