Hi all, I'm Joe from PA.

I own a 1995 2500 RAM - 3/4 ton - 4x4 - automatic 51K miles. There are mornings I'd like to shoot it. I joined for some advice and such. I'm not a mechanic so I need your help.

First, will an ODBII Scanner connect to this year of a truck? See, some mornings it just won't fire up. Turns over just fine, but its like no spark to make it fire. I smell the gas as I sit and flood it...and there is no distributer cap that I can see...then out of the blue it will fire right up. This happens mostly in the early AM hours, like cold or damp and often when it rains.

I know i have a leak coming out from the manifold cause it's way too loud and the overdrive button doesn't let it go into OD...that is all that 's wrong with it. Any help would be most appreciated

 

Welcome to the site. I will move this thread to the second generation Ram section,
FF

 

Welcome to the forum! Your truck is OBD I so OBD II scanners will not work. Your distributor is behind the intake manifold and a little tricky to get to. That's a good place to start. Check the distributor, plugs, and wires. Also use the search feature in this site and type in "plenum" you'll get countless results of another common issue that these trucks have. It probably has nothing to do with your starting problem, but it's something that needs to be taken care of regardless.

 

The distributor may be getting wet,
FF

 

Welcome to DF! Lots of good members here and tons of information. Just don't take everything to heart attitude wise.

 

Welcome!

I agree with the rest, check the distributor cap. If its old enough, it may have cracked, and even if it hasn't, moisture has been known to get in by the back side of the hood (closest to the windshield) and drip down onto it.

It might be time for an overall tuneup: new plug wires, plugs, cap, and rotor. If you replace the wires, make sure you follow the TSB on how to route the wires properly.