The other night, lightning struck a tree that my truck (98 Ram 1500 5.9L) is parked under. The next morning the truck would not start. I saw the fuel guage was not working and the pump was not making noise when switching the ignition to on. I was wondering what should be checked before I drop the tank and change the pump. I did find the relay for the fuel pump. Is there also a fuse anywhere?

Thanks

 

Make sure you got power first and then check your fuses and if need be you can drop the tank.

 

How close to the tree were ya

 

The tree is next to my driveway, which is around three feet from my truck. I did not find a fuse when looking in the cab and under the hood. All I saw was the relay.

 

Fuse 9 in the junction block. (the fuse block in the cab. left side of the dash.)

Do any of your gauges "test" when you turn the key to start? Does the engine crank?

 

Thanks for the replies. The engine cranks and everything else seems normal when I turn the key over. I did just notice that none of the guages move when I turn key to on, except the volt guage moves about 1/16(or less) of an inch. Also just noticed that my radio doesn't work. All of the fuses in the cab seem fine.
Thanks

 

Sounds like some wires might have been fried or maybe the computer? Pop the hood and inspect the wiring harness also look under the dash.

 

Pull every fuse and visually inspect. Lightning can wreak havoc on any electrical systems and it doesn't always follow any given rhyme or reason.


If a bolt can bridge an 18,000 foot gap between the clouds and ground, it can run through every fuse and relay in the truck like butter.

 

Ok, I guess I have a bigger problem then just the fuel pump. I tested the guage cluster and none of the guages worked and showed error codes 920, 921, 999. Seems like all of the fuses are ok.

 

Might wanna have a chat with your insurance company, if you have comprehensive...... The 92X codes are whining about speedometer signal. the 999 is just a generic error..... indicating that there IS an error. If the gauges don't test when you turn the key to start, probably going to be PCM, or CTM issue. (or both....)