Can't really figure out what you're trying to do there. Use the voltmeter to verify there is power at the coil during cranking. Measure between the + side of the coil and battery negative/ground.

 

a friend sent this video to me to check for spark:

which setting on the multimeter should I be using as you suggested?

also, everywhere I’ve read so far if the check engine light doesn’t come on when turning the ignition on (without starting) it means the PCM is not all there in one way or another.

but I suppose if the PCM doesn’t have a good ground it would appear dead...

where exactly is the ground for the PCM located?

 

Yes the check engine light should come on for a second or two, also that your scan tool can't communicate with the PCM is of concern. On the other hand you say you hear the fuel pump prime and you can feel the ASD relay clicking. Both of these are controlled by the PCM so it would be a fairly obscure failure where some things are working and others are not. The ground for the PCM is on the front of the engine. Also check the following fuses: 9 in the interior panel, fuse 2 and 3 in the PDC. Also check that there is power at fuse 9 inside when the ignition is turned on as it runs through the ignition switch.

 

And what was it? I know that the old school coils(oil filled) that i believe you have(may want to link to the other posts) are out of spec according to the service manual. But i have seen others use them with no issue so i don't believe that's your issue.

Would be nice if we knew what you have. Year? You can look up your year here then find the pcm wiring.
The pcm has more than one ground/12v positive if i recall.

 

sorry I usually have that in the opening post.
1997 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2L 4x4 AT

the primary resistance is .8ohms
amd secondary is 4800K ohms
(both within spec for MSD blaster 2 (called Holley and double checked)

*** OK so slight update the fuel pump is continuously running while they key is on not the normal few seconds of priming I can just hear it whining non stop***

 

That ain't right.

Pull the fuel pump relay, see if the PCM is constantly grounding the control side of the circuit.

 

will do right now. how to I test if it’s constantly grounding the control circuit? I’ve got a multimeter but I only have half a brain when it comes to using it :/ haha

if I pull the relay and turn the key to on it doesn’t prime at all.

if I swap the relay it’s the same thing pump just runs nonstop

if I remove the relay and use my multimeter to probe the pins inside the pdc I get a constant 12.5v for as long as the key is on (more than 30 seconds)

this all started when I changed my plugs and replaced a wire.

1. there is a SLIGHT possibility I reversed two of the boots On the dist. cap. If I did would that explain my issue? I doubt I let but figured I’d ask.
2 I had to really wiggle my hand and cables around to replace the plug wire. I know the Z12 wires to ground the PCM run in That wire channel right behind the dist. Cap and engine.

Is it possible that when I moved the wires around I jacked up the z12 ground wire back there? it says in the service manual that if the z12 (Black with tan stripe wires) don’t have a ground then the PCM will not work... ive traces the wire from the pcm to the dist. Cap and they are fine but can’t see where they lead to between the engine and firewall...

ugh, what a mess.

 

Apologies, I thought the truck was a 2000 MY. Some corrections: The ASD load (injectors, coil) is fused via fuse 4 in the PDC which is the 30A that blew. ASD control power comes from fuse 3 in the PDC, across the ignition switch and fuse 9 inside. The fuel pump and the PCM are wired the same, permanent power from fuse 8 in the PDC, switched power from fuse 3 in the PDC going to the ignition switch and then to fuse 9 inside. PCM ground is in front of the engine block.

Just put the multimeter in Volt setting across pins 85 and 86 (the control side) of the fuel pump relay. Should measure no voltage until the ignition is turned on. After a few seconds it should turn off again. Do the same test with the ASD relay socket as well.

 

its okay I appreciate the help!

fuel pump relay:
with the key turned on I get 11.9V between 85 and 86 constantly it doesn’t turn off even after 15 seconds

ASD relay:
with key on I get 11.5V constant for at least 15 seconds

i charged my battery overnight and it currently registers 12.6V at the terminal posts.

 

Changing plugs and wires shouldn't make any difference at all. Having a couple of them off a bit shouldn't matter either.

Set your meter on ohms resistance, and test pin 85 on the fuel pump relay socket with the ignition OFF. See if it has a ground.