Hi. I'm hoping someone can help point me in the right direction. I was driving my 1996 Dodge V10 2500 4x4 on the freeway the other night, approx. 70mph. The engine suddenly shut down without warning. No engine/gen light, and all lights and radio stayed on. Power steering went out of course, but I coasted to the shoulder. The engine cranks but doesn't catch. While waiting for the tow truck, I tried the key trick for codes. All I get is a Code 12 (plus 55). The battery hasn't been out of the system for months (when a new generator got installed). Now the truck is sitting in the driveway. I've tried unhooking the battery and leaving for an hour to clear any codes. The battery is still charged and cranks strong, but the engine doesn't catch. I've checked in-cab fuses, and swapped the relays in the box under the hood, to no avail. I'm better with computers than I am with engines, but I have a brother-in-law with tools and knowledge within an easy walk of the driveway. Any ideas of where we should start, or why I only get the Code 12? Many thanks in advance for any advice.

 

The computer doesn't think anything is wrong... so, no codes with any meaning.

Need to find out what's missing, spark, fuel, or both. Failed sensor will give you those symptoms, but, won't necessarily set a code. So, first step, what's missing.

I will move this to the second gen tech section for ya.

Welcome to DF!

 

Couple things to check:

Ensure that all of your grounds are intact, primarily the one going from the firewall near the PCM to the cylinder head, and also the one that goes to the frame near the bumper by the cruise control servo.

Next, remove the negative battery cable. With the cable still off of the battery, turn the key to the RUN position for 30 seconds. Then, with the battery cable still off, turn it to START and hold it there for 30 seconds, then back to RUN for 30 seconds, and then back to LOCK. Then hookup the negative battery cable again, and ensure BOTH cables are TIGHT and CLEAN, then try to start it again.

Also, check the ASD relay by swapping it with another relay of the same size.

 

An engine that just cuts like that is usually something related to spark. The coil would be my first culprit, but I never opened the hood on a v-10 so I have no clue if you have 1 coil or coil packs.... pull out no1 spark plug, attach it to the wire and have someone crank the truck. Look for spark at the plug.

 

He has five coil packs. If NONE of the cylinders are firing, probably crank sensor.

 

They sure know how to make things expensive, don't they??

 

Well of course. For the next fit of giggles, try and find one......

 

Deleted by author

 

Did you run out of fuel? My fuel guage had a mind of its own until i changed the fuel pump assembly. guage might be telling you that theres fuel. But there might not be? Easy fix!

 

Did you run out of fuel? My fuel guage had a mind of its own until i changed the fuel pump assembly. guage might be telling you that theres fuel. But there might not be? Easy fix!