I would suggest checking everything around the PDC and the wiring at the battery since there has already been an issue discovered there. The likelihood that something not related this just suddenly and by coincidence (like crank sensor) failed is about as good as winning the lottery.

Double check wiring from PDC and the small connector on the coil for power. And if there is a connector by distributor that the CKS is NOT plugged into, that has to be connected. Just verify that it is not just an extra connector for something that did not come on the truck.

 

Thanks gdstock. That is what we were thinking too. On Monday we tested quite a few points and found that the coil would only get power when the ASD relay was bypassed. The fuel pump we were able to get power to also. It had some low readings from the PCM and somewhere on the side of the distributor. Everything seemed to be pointing at the PCM being bad.

We installed a new PCM today and tried to start it. The fuel pump kicked on right away but the battery was dead so we didn't get real far. Charged the battery up and it is definitely getting fuel now but no spark and we can't get any codes. It sounds like it is trying to start but just won't catch.

Tomorrow he is going to test the new coil and coil wire. Anything else seem likely to be the cause of the no spark? We're assuming the loose positive battery cable caused an overload. I think they tested the starter and that appeared to be okay also.

 

Try stepping on the gas while cranking. Having the battery fully charged would also help. Low voltages can cause some truly bizarre behavior.

 

Finally got back to it today. The battery is fully charged again and we are giving it gas when trying to start, but we can't get it to start. We did not have fuel before we changed out the PCM but now the fuel pump kicks right on so it's getting fuel.

Checked the ASD relay and verified that it is good. It gets power to the relay when you turn it on but it is not sending power back to the coil. The coil is new and tested good. Any suggestions on why that would be? We were thinking that possibly the alternator got shorted out when the positive battery cable came loose but not sure if that makes any sense.

This one has got us stumped. Gave up for the night when it got dark but going to try and find something again tomorrow after he gets done with work.

 

Go under the truck on the driver side of the transmission and reach up by wher your shift linkage goes into the trasns. There is a plug that will lift straight up just be careful not to break it. A flat head and plenty of crap in your eyes will get it unplugged. Try to start the truck with the trans unplugged. If it starts one of four solenoids on the valve body is bad ir wiring inside the trans has shorted. You will not be able to drive other than 1stthat and 2nd (loading and unloading) solenoids run bout $100

 

Got back out there today finally and still trying to find the problem. The ASD relay is fine but the PCM is not sending a ground signal to the ASD. We can get power to the coil by putting a jumper in.

So far we have a new PCM installed and that got the fuel pump running, it has a new coil and new Crankshaft Position Sensor. The Camshaft Sensor tests good.

My question is what other signals does the PCM need to send the ground for the ASD? Or does it seem that the new PCM is bad?

Tried hooking up a scanner that we know works to the OBD II and we can't get it to connect. Also tried manually scanning by checking for flashes on the Check Engine Light but can't get that to come on either. And the tachometer does not move when cranking the engine. This one has really got us stumped. We are going to try again tomorrow but I'm thinking we may have to haul it to the Dodge dealer on Monday and see if they can find the problem. I hate to do that but we are running out of things to check for.

 

ASD relay should trip for a few seconds as soon as you turn on the key. (PCM controls ground for control circuit) Does it?

PCM will only enage ASD relay if it sees the engine turning. (aside from the few seconds where you first turn the key on.) Uses cam, OR crank sensor to see if engine is turning.

Does the fuel pump run while cranking?

When you first turn the key on, does the CEL come on?

 

I do not think the ASD relay comes on for a few seconds. If it does, it is not showing anything on an analog multimeter.

The fuel pump does come on. It didn't at first until we put in a new PCM. There is a smell of fuel while trying to start also.

The Check Engine Light does not come on when you first turn on the key. It used to come on before all this happened but has not been on since.