Well, Key in the start position - yes - pump humms for 2 seconds. Checking the firing order of the plugs now. Let me know if I'm on the wrong track. I may not be a mechanic, but I did sleep in a holiday in express last night.

 

Never hurts to make sure.

 

your fuel pump should sound more like a whine then a hum.. more of a high pitched whine... try removing your fuel line from the fuel rail and see if fuel pumps out when you turn the key to ON..

how cold did it get when the tank was empty before you refilled it with fuel? im asking b.c the condensate could have froze in your fuel lines and pluged something up

is your CEL on?
do you have a haynes or FSM ? is not download the PDF manual from a thread called "merry christmas"
https://dodgeforum.com/m_340929/tm.htm

thatll tell you the firing order from the cap to the cylinders... wouldnt hurt to double and tripple check.. ive been wrenching for years and i still have to tripple check to make sure..

 

Well, double checked the wiring and everything matches what was there in the first place. Found a great spec on the 5.9L V8 Engine (http://dodgeram.org/tech/gas/specs/5_9v8.htm) which descibes the firing order and piston numbering. So I know its wired right. Triple checked it. Fuel pump runs, CEL is not on. BUT the CELhas come andgone at it's own will in the past. Same thing with the ABS lights. ( water gets into the sensor + the speedo in the rear diff. gets loose from time to time ) But I dont think that would stop the car from starting. I'm going to reset the computer with a power down in the morning. Too tired to work any more on it. Gotta get it started soon. lol

I'd just like to say, you guys have been great and I appreciate the help. Keep it coming!

 

Well, checked fuel pressure. I've got it. I took on of the plugs out and sprayed starter fluid directly into the cylinder - no bang. Did a + terminal reset to see if the CPU was jacked. Nothing. Even tried an old coil wire to replace the one i had just put in. No bang.

It cant be this hard. She ran fine with no troubles when she was parked.

Anybody got any ideas?

 

possibly not holding fuel pressure prime{regulator]. happened to my 97 dakota. Had to crank the crap out of it for about 20 seconds before she would start...........Dallas

 

SUCCESS! kinda. She fires and starts, purrrrrs like she used to. BUT. she wont hold an idle. lol NEXT.... looking for that - but starting a new Thread. I probably didnt have to replace the coil or the distributor, but it was time for that work to be done. Dont really know why it started. I jiggled every wire i could reach from top to bottom. Checked the fuses, shuffled a few around. Now to get it to idle.

THANKS EVERYONE for all the advice. ( please see my new thread now. lol)