My son bought a 2002 Ram 1500 for cheap because it would not start. It turns over, but will not run.
The previous owner said he was at a stop light and started to move forward when the light turned green. Then the truck just died instantly.

He and a friend changed the fuel pump and TPS. Then gave up when it still would not start.

My son and I did the following:
1) Checked fuel pump and no motor sound. Disconnected fuel line and turned the key to start the car, and no fuel comes out. We checked the fuel pump relay and it was good. We swapped relays just to be sure and still no fuel. All fuses are good.

2) Also there is no spark. We tried starter fluid and nothing. We pulled one of the ignition coil and put a spark plug in it and grounded the sparkplug threads- No spark.

3) We also noticed the instrument panel would not show true readings. Everything would not react when you turn the key. Most cars the gauge will swing to max, then settle back down to whatever the reading is supposed to be.
When we turn the key, none of the gauges move.

4) We removed the fuse box and checked for corrosion or bad connections. Everything looked good.

After searching on the internet, this is looking like it may be a bad PCM. If we go to the salvageyard and get the same model PCM, will swapping them out work without compromising the key code or anything else?

Any other ideas to try?

 

Does the truck have the factory security system? What color is the key?

You can try a gauge test, just press and hold the trip reset button, and turn the ignition on. (not start) All gauges should sweep, and all lights should come on.

As it sits, does the check engine light come on when you turn the key on? Can you plug a scanner into it, and get anything at all?

 

I am at work and will check these things when I get home.
We did plug in our scanner and there are no codes.

If there is a factory security system, would that cause the truck engine to quit while driving if something failed?
We did notice after market wires under the dash. we will take another look and see if those are for security system.
2 of those wires go to the OBD-II connector.

 

But the scanner would at least talk to the PCM? That's a good thing.

 

Sounds like it could be the crankshaft position sensor.

 

If the crankshaft position sensor is bad, that would explain why there is no spark.
But that would not explain why there is no fuel....

 

If there is aftermarket wiring, was it perhaps for an aftermarket remote start?

 

If the crank sensor is bad, you should at least get the initial 'key on' fuel pump prime. After that, PCM wants to see the engine turning before it will power the pump again. If you aren't even getting the initial prime, start checking for power at the asd relay.

Did the 02s have issues with the fuel pump control circuit in the TIPM????

 

Does the truck have the factory security system? We are not sure. How can we find out?
We did find a GPS tracker on it. It was attached to the OCD-II connector with 2 wires. We doubt this is the issue. It might have been put there by a loan company in the past.

What color is the key? Black, it has a pic of a RAM's head on it

You can try a gauge test, just press and hold the trip reset button, and turn the ignition on. (not start) All gauges should sweep, and all lights should come on.
Yes, all gauges move up in increments to max, then goes back down in increments,
then this pops up:
C-Code
AA 00
00 00
Then the window shows the odometer

As it sits, does the check engine light come on when you turn the key on? Yes, same as all the other lights.
Can you plug a scanner into it, and get anything at all? Yes, we can scan and there is no code. But there is a "2 of 3 ready" but I know this has to do with the battery being disconnected or the scan may have cleared the code before

I am beginning to think it may be a bad PCM. but not willing to spend money, unless the chances are good.
No fuel, no spark, and gauges "dead" when trying to start.

 

The volt gauge should come up to show battery voltage at least with the key on.... If that isn't happening either, I would suspect a problem on the CCD bus. (communications bus. EVERYTHING goes thru the PCM, including what the gauges are supposed to read.) Your scanner communicates on the same bus...... so, it is working to some extent, at least.

What engine in the truck?