I have a 1998 Ram, 318, auto, with 170000 miles. The truck has been parked for the last couples months, because I bought a new Ram. I went to start it last night, and the battery was toast, so I put a new one in this morning. The engine cranks, but it won't start. There's no fuel pressure. There's gas in the tank, but the gas gauge doesn't move, and my Actron code reader can't link up to the computer. It keeps giving me a read failure. The reader has a self diagnostic check, and it checked out ok. Is my PCM trash? When I turn the key into the "on" position, the check engine light comes on momentarity, which I though meant the computer was good to go, so I don't know why my code reader can't communicate with it. Any help would be apprecaited. Thanks!

 

check all fuses

 

I forgot to mention that. All fuses, fuseable links and relays are good.

 

are you getting spark? if so, then i doubt your pcm is bad since it controls that.......your pump may be bad or just a bad connection

 

I'm not sure about spark yet. I'm waiting for my helper to come home to crank the key while I watch for it. Another thing...the odometer is flashing too. It's not the "no bus" message, it's just the mileage flashing.

 

Ok, no spark either. So here's where we're at...

no spark
no fuel pressure
scan tool can't communicate with PCM
fuses, fuseable links and relays all check out


Time to pony up for a new PCM, I guess?

 

Remove the negative battery cable and turn the ignition switch to on for 30 seconds(not run).Then turn key back to off. Then disconnect the connectors to the PCM and check for corrosion.

 

No corrosion on the connectors.

 

well, if your almost positive that its your pcm, id try to see if a salvage yard would let you borrow one to see

 

I bit the bullet and ordered from E-bay. I probably won't get it until next week though, which sucks cause I have a guy coming to look at the truck tonight (it's for sale).