I have a 1994 Ram with the 360. About a month ago I was driving it and turned it off to run into a store.. literally less than 5 minutes. It wouldn't crank when I got back. The motor turns over but it isn't getting any fuel or spark leading me to think it was something with the ASD relay. I finally got it to crank after replacing crank position, camshaft sensors and computer. But once I drive the truck, the computer shorts out and leaves me stuck. I'm positive it is an electrical issue but it has me and the auto electrician stumped. Anyone have any idea what could be causing the computer to keep shorting out?

Ps. the computer isn't throwing any codes.. AT ALL.

 

Gonna need to back probe all the wires in the ECM connector..... grab the 95 service manual from the faq section here, it will give you a pinout of what wires go where, and which ones are actually grounds...

How long does the PCM last before it goes belly up again?

 

replace all your grounding straps..

 

there isn't really a set time it lasts. I had an auto electrician look at it and he said that my ignition switch could be the issue. If there was a short in the ignition, could that cause the issues?

 

i suppose it could. if it shorts it would break the circut that tells the computer to keep the truck running. so if that circut breaks the truck would shut off. theoreticaly it makes sense but im not sure if thats exactly how it works.

 

I picked it up from his shop two days ago and drove it home. At the shop, he got it to crank by turning the key on and off a couple times and it ran fine but once I got home and tried to crank it.. nothing. So somewhere between the 5 miles driving distance my computer was shorted out again or either its in the ignition...

 

have you checked the 3 bolts holding the computer to the firewall? i think thats how the computer is grounded so if those are corroded it might not get a good connection.

get a wire diagram from the factory service manual and test the circuts with a multimeter. have a buddy wiggle the key around while you check the voltage on the ignition switch wiring. if there is any intermittent loss of voltage, theres a short somewhere in that circut. follow the wires and see if there are any loose, corroded, or damaged wires in that circut.

 

I would start by giving all your ground straps and wiring harnesses a good visual check.

If it was working in the shop after installation, but not after being driven...more than likely a pinched/bare wire making contact from vibration or bumps.

If all else fails, give it the wiggle test.