I've got a 97 Ram 1500 Sport with a 5.9l 360.. It's got just under 180,000miles, and I've put the last 20,000 on it. It's been a second turn start as long as I've owned it, but she finally is refusing to start for me.

The truck started in the morning, I drove 5 miles, turned it off and on again, drove home and parked it in the driveway. 2 hours later it wouldn't start and hasn't since...

Here's what I've done:

Made sure the battery was good, wires seem to be fine.

I sprayed some starter fluid into my air intake; still no start.
I assume it's not a fuel issue..

I pulled a spark plug, grounded it and turned the key; no spark.
I assume it's an ignition issue..

I've replaced my spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and ignition rotor and my ignition coil. My pick-up assembly looked fine so i put it back in.

The truck still won't start...

I've been pounding my head against the wall for 5 days. Can anyone point me in the right direction??

 

A bad crank sensor could cause this issue, too.

 

My thoughts exactly

 

+ 3 on crank sensor. Try jiggling the wires while cranking or just get OE replacement. Any codes?

 

Update time..

While appreciate the suggestions on the crank sensor, I just couldn't bring myself to squeeze back behind my engine without having someone take another look for me...

A buddy with a similar ram got under my truck and kicked the fuel tank a few times while I engaged the key. He suggested that my fuel pump wasn't priming and after a few cycles, the engine turned over!

I drove the truck for the day. It started great 3 or 4 times and than I had to kick-start it to try and get home.. While driving back it puttered out on me while I at 60mph and I ended up towing it home.

Now I'm replacing the fuel pump.

I've got my pump, and am about to drop my tank, but I've encountered a plastic fuel rail without a test port for a fuel pressure gauge.

What kind of problems will I encounter if in pull the pump without releasing the pressure?

Is there an easy way yo release the fuel pressure without a valve?

 

Really, no shrader valve anywhere? I thought it was on the driver's side rail? Might have a cap on it.

Maybe someone else can chime in here.

 

The worst that could happen is that you might encounter a spray of fuel when releasing the fuel lines from the pump. Given that the pump seems to be faulty, there may be no pressure to speak of on the fuel lines. Just be wary of the fuel spray and careful not to do anything to ignite the fuel and you will be OK.

 

Don't smoke. Wrap a rag around the fitting, and your tool, before releasing it. Should be fine. (and I agree with Atomic, probably isn't any pressure anyway.)