I have a 1984 Dodge Ram van with a 318 that has a problem. After sitting for a few months, it will no longer start. It cranks fine, but during cranking no power is recieved to the distributer. When the key is in the on position, there is power to the distributer. I kinda doubt the ballast is out, as my situation would be the opposite, correct? I've already replaced the ignition module on the firewall, but nothing changed...

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Since you're losing power to the distributor when the key is turned to the start position, it could be a bad ignition switch.

 

I thought about the ignition switch....is this a common problem?

 

Not overly common, but it does happen.

 

How does a guy go about replacing the ignition switch? Any special tools needed?

 

You'll need a steering wheel puller. Other than that it's basic hand tools and a 4' piece of string or thin wire.

Disconnect the battery, remove the steering wheel, remove the ignition lock, disconnect the switch harness under the dash, tie the string (or thin wire) onto the connector, and pull the switch harness up and out the column along with the string. Remove the string from the old harness and tie it onto the new harness and use it to pull the harness back down into the column. Everything gets put back in the reverse order of disassembly.