Bought a 1997 Ram 3500 van at auction. 5.2 L motor. No spark from coil. Measured voltage across two wires to coil (result: 2 V with ig on). Replaced ECM. Same condition. Replaced crank position sensor. Same. Replaced pickup in distributor (camshaft sensor?): same. Swapped out ASD relay: same. I have a replacement ignition switch coming (I read that these commonly go bad). Anyone have experience with bad ig switches on these vehicles?

Question: could a bad fuel pump cause the ECM to not generate a spark signal to the coil? I thought I read about that somewhere.

 

The coil only gets power for a few seconds at a time. So you have to check it with 2 people. One at the meter, and one to turn the key on.

 

I did just that. I am able to have a meter in the cab while turning the key. It basically is at 2 V while cranking (might drop to 1.8-1.9) but is essentially constant.

One of the nice things about a van (you're basically under the 'hood').

 

which means I don't have a broken timing chain.

 

Oh yea, forgot about the van factor. And yes, IIRC , if you have no fuel pressure the ASD will shut down. So you need to check that pressure with a gauge.

 

Thanks Zman. I haven't checked, but I've read folks depressing a Schrader valve to see if fuel pressure is there while cranking. Know where that might be located on this rig? I haven't looked yet to see where the fuel pump might be located. Is it at the tank or up near the engine?

Cheers,
Windfreak

 

Damn man, you have a 97(bummer). If it's anything like a ram pickup you have a plastic fuel rail and there is no test port. You need a gauge and a special adapter to check pressure.

 

Something like this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...pressure+gauge

If so, I can spring for $20.

 

Is the fuel pump on top of the fuel tank on this van? If bad, you have to remove it right, as opposed to putting a new one in the fuel line and leaving the old one in place?

 

That kit will get you started, but you'll need one of these if you indeed have a plastic fuel rail. http://www.mytoolsforyou.com/automot...STR-74484.html