Hey guys,
I need some help with my 1996 Ram 1500 5.2 A/T. I've got a crank no spark issue and I need some direction on where to start with it.
It was a sudden no spark, parked it, came back after work and it wouldn't start. I ended up selling it to a friend because I'm not savvy with electrical work so he threw some parts at it and ended up selling it back to me because he couldn't get it figured out amongst other life issues. He changed various sensors, the coil, and the distributor cap as well as tidied up some wires that were corroded and loose.
I have no spark out the coil, the fuel pump isn't coming on, and after a mobile mechanic came and tested some stuff, then told us it was the PCM I replaced that as well, no difference.

I'd basically just like some pointers on where to start, what to test and what to do from there. Any and all help is appreciated, Thank you guys.

Edit: I forgot to mention I'm also getting no readings from a scanner.

 

Poking around these forums i've found a good few tid bits of information, If anyone's willing to help I can try to reply/Edit with new knowledge i've accumulated over the next few days

 

I assume you checked all the fuses? With the ignition on does the check engine light come on?

 

Checked all the fuses, all were intact. No check engine light either. There were some precursor issues I forgot about aswell since it's been so long since I've drove this truck. I started getting a parasitic drain on the battery, the interior light then refused to shut off, then it would randomly die occasionally right after starting and take a while of cranking to start, it seemed like a random amount of time for it to start. It was especially bad in the cold, refusing to hold idle but I could keep it running with a little bit of gas, as it started to warm up it idled flawlessly. Most of the time it'd die as I was stopping to go from reverse to drive. I don't know if that's of any help but I figured i'd throw that in.

 

Be sure to download the factory service manual for your truck. You should find some helpful information there. You can download it for your year truck here - https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...e-manuals.html

 

Are you getting power to the coil? Keep in mind, you only see power for about 3 seconds at initial key on, after that, the PCM needs to see the engine turning. (crank sensor) If you get the initial power, but, nothing after that, crank sensor is a likely culprit.

 

I don't think i'll be able to test the coil until tonight at the earliest, i have to see if I can get a helper. I do know the crank sensor was changed, one of the many parts my friend threw at it lol

 

If he threw a cheap, aftermarket sensor at it, it may still be bad..... You want a genuine Mopar crank sensor. They actually work right.

 

If the check engine light doesn't come on(good bulb) the pcm is not seeing the ignition on or it has other power/wiring issues. Start checking those, Even with no codes you should see 55 on the check engine light for "end of codes" doing the key dance.

 

I only got codes 12 and 55, I believe the mobile mechanic said he tested the ignition but I can try to test it myself as well. I haven't been able to test anything that requires another person yet, been busy getting ready to go back to school, and working Graveyard puts you on a schedule that's hard to match up free times with your friends. Plus i've been working on the motor for my 80s Ram 50, they're a bit more my speed with how much more simple they are lol. I would appreciate links/guides on how to test stuff because as I said i'm about useless when it comes to diagnosing electronics.