I just bought a 2001 dodge 3500 it has the 360. It wont start but when you crank it over it trys after you let the key go. I have several rams so i checked the coil and seems it has a very healthy spark. Checked for fuel at the rail and that seems good aswell. I know in my 99 ram pickup if the battery dies it has to relearn to run at a idle. So that's what I was thinking was wrong with it, we tired to jump start it and cranked very slowly and I knew it wouldn't start cranking that slow with a shot battery but I bought it for $400 so I just loaded it up. Brought it home tossed a good battery in now just cranks like a million bucks but only coughs after cranking it over.

 

If the van was sitting for a while you could have some corrosion on the rotor and cap. Check that and clean the contacts carefully with emery cloth if necessary. If the van was sitting for a very long while you could have stale fuel. Give a smell at the fuel filler cap for an odor like varnish or turpentine; if so the gas is bad.

If you have 1/3 tank of fuel or less you may just wish to add 5 or 10 gallons of Premium gas to the tank and just run the old stuff out, otherwise the tank has to be drained of the stale fuel.

 

It had sat for about 2 months. Gas is good, and rotor and cap look good. I talked to a buddy he said the coil even though shocked the crap out of my buddy that fell for the hold a bolt in the wire shop joke, might still be bad. So I have another and will try it tomorrow after work

 

Chrysler has a TSB on a topic like this for your 2001 ...

Have you tried the 3X off/on key dance trick for codes? This may tell you what is wrong unless it's TSB-08-24-00 http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2000/08-24-00.htm

 

So just cycle the key and it will tell me codes or it resets something?

 

Yes, turn the key 3X back and fourth from off to on (start position) without starting the engine. Leave key to on. Do this within 5 seconds while staring at the trip/mileage odometer. P-codes will display. Pdone means end of codes.

 

Changed the coil today and it started right up. I guess having a great visual spark isn't the same as having a strong coil. Thanks everyone