Hi all, i have a 1994 full size ram van, V-8 /360 and am having starting problems, it got worse as it got much colder over the last few days, but it doesn't seem to be the battery thats the problem, as i've tried using ether, charging it and jumping it and none of that seemed to make any difference.

i did notice that over the past few days when it started to act up, it made a series of soft clicks just before it would start, now i'm not hearing the clicks and it won't start.

so i guess my ? is... what were the clicking sounds coming from that i was hearing just before it would start ? ( is there a fuel injector solinoid or some type of ignition relay switch that it could be ? )

( a mechanic once told me what the clicking sound was coming from a few years ago but i can't remember what it was called ???? ) any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Pat.

 

It sounds like the starter solinoid is going out to me.

 

Thanks QS. i'll have to check that out, your probably right, but it doesn't click loudly while trying to start it, like a bad starter would normally do and the engine seems to be turning over well enough, that i thought it should at least fire, thats why i was thinking it could be a fuel pump relay or something, thanks again.

Pat.

 

Check your battery cable connections on both ends and make sure they are squeeky clean and tight. Even though you have charged, etc the battery...have it load tested at one of the auto parts stores just to make sure it's ok.

 

Pat,

As of two weeks ago, I started with this exact same problem with my 2001 Dodge Ram Van with the 5.2L engine. After much searching on the internet, I too found an answer. Read the info on this link:

http://www.misterfixit.com/fuelrlay.htm

However, here's my problem. WHERE is this relay under the hood??? About.Com mentioned that it was located near the Master Brake Cylinder. I don't see anything there or I'm not looking for the right shape of the part.

If you find where this Fuel Pump Relay is under the hood, PLEASE post back!

Kind regards,

Stev

 

OK, So I found out that there is a black rectangular box under the Master Cylinder that contains relays. However, the relay for the Fuel Pump Relay is not marked as such. It may share this with an Oil Sending Unit relay or something of the sort. I'm not sure. Anyone have a Chiltons or Hayes manual to find this out?

Stev

 

Get yourself a 1 yr subscription to www.alldatadiy.com for your vehicle, it will be the best $25 you ever spent. Your relay may be called the Auto Shutdown Relay or ASD.

[IMG]local://upfiles/21718/49D17315F9554A5A8C48A5E281E99578.jpg[/IMG]

 

Chump,

Thanks!

I did get the van started, but it runs rough. The Fuel Pump Relay is on the left door side of the IP. Or basically, the fuse access door area to get at it.

I cleaned the contacts since no "visible" damage was noticed. The is also a fuse, either 16 or 18 that is part of the fuel pump relay and pump system. I pulled that too and it looked fine.

UPDATE: I pulled three of the closest spark plugs when the "dog house" was removed. They were gapped at 0.80 !!!! It seems that the electrodes on these were just visible tiny stubs. I went for the fourth plug and it .... SNAPED off in the worse way. So, off to the repair garage in town this week topull the remains and tap threads. The Champion plugs were the factory originals with 73K on them. I'm more of an Autolite spark plug person.