I have a 98 Dodge Ram 250,000 miles. It's got it's share of problems, but has always been reliable.

The latest one has me scratching my head.

She cranks and cranks, but doesnt fire. Now I had an empty tank in warm to cold weather. Ran like a champ when it was parked. Now doesnt want to fire up. I expected some possible condensation in the fuel from the empty tank. but I'm not sure thats the problem.

I recently changed the plugs and wires. Possibly a distributor issue? I read a lot of "threads" and I'm sure the old girl has a few sensor issues. But for the milage - I kinda expect a light or two to go on and off. I'm sure the Coolant needs flushed and replaced ( I'll do that in the spring. )

Any advice would be appreciated.

Specs: 98 Dodge Ram V8 360 4X4 Sport. Stock engine, Stock Trans.

Recent Work: Water Pump Replaced( 6 Months ago) Belt/Tentioner ( 6 Months ago) Catalytic Converter ( 1 Yr Ago ) Brakes ( 6 Months Ago ) Oil Changes every 2500 miles. Spark Plugs/Wires ( 1 month ago )

 

Check your coil, try putting some dry gas or go fill up with some good high octane gas to clean it out. you could have water build up, then make sure that if it is getting spark at the coil, check the fuel pump, listen to hear it charging when they key is on.

 

Changed the Coil and the Distributor Cap while I was in there.
Still no fire.

Cranks and Cranks. Worried about buring out my starter this way.

Fuel filled with Premium and put in some drygas.

Could I have wired the distributor cap wrong? lol Wouldnt be the first time.

Any more advice would help.

 

Well, Checked Spark from Coil and from Distributor. Everything looks fine there. Guys from auto places said it could be my timing chain. Still gotta check to see the firing order is hooked up the right way.

I tried spraying starter fluid in the throat, still no fire. But I am getting spark. Kinda baffles me.

So far: plugs,wires,coil,dist.cap and rotor have been replaced. I can hear the humm of the fuel pump. Spark has been checked from the coil and from the distributor. The only symptom before this happened was a slight rough idle at a street light.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

How could it be the timing chain? Isn't the distributer driven off the back of the cam which is driven by the crank via this very chain? If you checked for spark from the distributer (at the plug, yes?) and it was good then the timing chain is intact.

Did you check all 8 plug wires for spark?

 

No, I didnt check all 8 plugs for spark. Only the coil and 1 plug. Orange/yellow spark - probably because my battery is getting low.

Let me know if I should check all 8 plugs, not to easy to do by myself.. but I'll try tomarrow afternoon when I can have a friend over.

I was kinda confused when Murray the auto guy told me it could be the timing chain. He probably knows a guy who can fix it for cheap. lol

 

Sudden failure to start (cranks OK)
[ul][*]Fuel pump relay failure - this has happened to several people. Swap with the AC relay and try again. [/ul]
I did find this though. Dont know if it makes sense or not.

 

You said that you heard the fuel pump coming on. That's what this relay controls. You are SURE you hear the pump come on for about 2 seconds when the key is turned to the ON position (not START). You might have to have someone else turn the key while you listen at the gas door with the cap off..

 

Well, went out to check the relay issue - nothing. As for the fuel pump sounds - I hear a humm, but not when the key is turned to the on position ( before fully engaging the key ) - its more prevalant after i try to crank. I'll check the pump the best I can - hold on. lol I'll brb.

 

even if it humms.. you might not be getting any pressure. probally fired the pump when it was empty? air pocket in the line? i would check the fuel pressure. not sure how but im sure someone here knows how