1992 dodge ram van 318 motor. 1st start of the day I have to turn the key and wait from 10-30 min. During which time the fuel relays will eventually begin to click and the check eng. light will begin to blink first slowly, then more rapidly and eventually begin to slow then stop and then and only then will the engine start, but backfires and stalls until it eventually smooths out. Then it's fine all day and runs strong. I have put in new relays, new fuel filter, and taken out and checked the fuel pump, which runs great when hooked up directly to a battery. Any thoughts????

 

Welcome to the site. I will move this to the Dodge Ram van section,
FF

 

hopefully NO REMOTE starter?
if not
check cables pos and neg - both ends esp ground
then check the ign switch...not the lock the elec switch.

 

Also make sure that the plug(s) on the SMEC are pushed in and tight.

Make sure that the body to engine ground also has a good connection. If the ground strap is frayed then add a new one.

 

Deleted.

 

Replace the computer, it's the source of your problem.

If you want to confirm it before changing, use a hairdryer to warm up (about 10 minutes) the computer before turning the key on at the first start of the day. If you find that the engine will start much quicker, then you've confirmed the computer is the problem.

 

Tell me if I am wrong but before you go buy a new computer board try cleaning & drying the board and/or the connections. The hairdryer sounds like a good idea as well.

 

Thanks to all for taking the time to help. Seems the computer is the problem. Grabbed the only one the vultures didn't hoard from Harry's U-Pull-It, stuck it in and original problem solved, would even flash trouble codes again, however, came out of a 6 cyl. not an 8 so now only fires 6 cyls. Have a correct computer on the way. Darn good idea to thoroughly clean and dry the original, and I'll try that, and resell all the extra parts I now have. Thanks again to all for your time!!

 

Check ASD relay.

sounds like you have an unwanted high resistance but after some time of power, you are getting continuity.

 

Replaced computer and all is well now, THANKS to all!