just finished plenum and tune up. 1996 ram 1500. When i turn the key i get a distinct ticking noise but the truck doesnt even turn over. I have no idea all the injectors are in. The only thing i could imagine would be something in the distributor. But i have no clue. So help would be hugely appreciated.

 

Sounds like a dead battery.

 

Install the rest of the ground wires......

 

alright turned out to be a ground but now that its started i have a very very rough idle now. i have the pcv hose out and its covered with duck tape to get the trucks tarted. Could this happen from the pcv being out? It starts great but sounds rough and idles at about 1000 then will randomnly drop to about 500 then back to 1000. sometimes it will cut out when the rpms drop to 500. Any ideas?

 

Could be vacuum related, and could be PCM. Disconnect battery ground and let set for a few minutes. Reconnect and try. This will reset PCM. And replace PCV.

 

Ok does the key have to be in the on position to reset it? Because the negative terminal was disconnected for a day and a half with positive still connected. Im just worried it has to do with the distributor or spark plugs. Does that sound anything like that?

 

I think the PCM just needs to relearn everything.
Drive it a bit if you haven't already.

 

Have a quick question. What is the black disc between the cap and distributor? The holes for the screws that hold it down broke when the cap broke so its just the placement of the cap holding it

 

That would be the cam shaft position sensor.

That needs to be held down for everything to work right.

 

well autozone called it the pick up coil. same thing? the pick up coil was what i was talking about.