Greetings all,
My name is Chris this is my first post on this site! I have a 2002 dodge ram 1500 4x4 auto with a 5.9 magnum just over 222,000 miles. Ive been having a recurring problem throughout the last week. The vehicle will occasionally start but then die. However most of the time it will turn over but not start.

I have changed the spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, distributor rotor, were all done weeks ago. The coil (TWICE!) in the last week, distributor ignition pickup.

Here is a list of codes I've been getting and some context:
3/10/23: codes encountered.
​​​​​p0463: fuel level sensor doesn't work, been like this since bought the truck. I'm not worried about this. The odometer works.
p0351: ignition coil. Went ahead and changed it on the date listed above.
p1491: Faulty radiator Fan clutch control.
p1388: Auto shutdown control. Moved some relays around to no avail.

The vehicle was getting no spark at the wires but testing the fuel rail showed that it was in fact pressurized with fuel. No dead squirrels in the airbox. Battery is solid. With changing the ignition coil the vehicle ran without issue for a week. Until yesterday.

3/16
Got home from work around 1 a.m. with no complications. Got up at 10 a.m. truck turned over but did not start. Started throwing the following codes.
p1488: this code went away however it lead me to change the distributor ignition pickup regardless of it going away. No start.
p0351: I changed the ignition coil again! No start.
p1388: auto shutdown control, got me stumped.
p1491: Faulty radiator Fan clutch. All the fans work I am not sure on this one either.

My worry is the ecm. However I am completely stumped.

 

ASD relay sends power to the coil, and injectors. If it isn't actually doing that, the truck won't start. Verify you are getting power at the coil, bearing in mind, that you will only see power there for about three seconds, unless the PCM sees the engine turning. (crank sensor.)

Does the fuel pump prime?

 

I have no spark in the plug wires, tested with a timing light. I can hear the fuel pump and have pressed the Schrader valve on the fuel rail and got squirted. No spark. Yes fuel.

 

Does the pump continue to run while engine cranking?

 

How can I test that?

 

Might be able to hear it..... This is one of those things that a second warm body helps a lot...

 

It's not the fuel pump. The vehicle ran yesterday and started once today but has since died out. Do you know of some ways to troubleshoot the Auto Shutdown Control?

 

Fairly simple circuit. Pin 30 is hot at all times, pin 85 is hot with ignition on, (or, at all times as well, varies over the years....) PCM controls the relay via pin 86. It grounds it to engage the relay. PCM will ground pin 86 at initial key on for about 3 seconds. If that is happening, then the ASD circuit is likely fine. PCM won't re-engage ASD unless it sees the engine turning. (crank sensor signal) So, if you get the initial power, but, nothing after that, first thing to look at is the crank sensor. Mopar sensor only please, these trucks hate aftermarket sensors.

 

Just a heads up. I've purchased a new ecm from Oreillys and will be installing it in 2 days. I'll update the thread if it makes a difference.

 

Changed out the pcm with a model from oreillyauto.com. Engine cranks but no start as before, however, I now have spark! So that did solve at least one problem. I pulled out the spark plugs on the passenger side and found they were fouled up. So I cleaned them with a wire brush. Did not touch the driver side as of yet. Cranked the engine over to no avail. One step closer...