79 dodge ram 1500 52 have spark when first turn ignition to on position then no spark wile cranking

Is this a '79 or a '97, two different years listed.

sorry 97

Try changing the crankshaft sensor. The coil is not able to release its spark, just sitting there all charged up. The crankshaft sensor sends a pulse to the distributor to fire off a spark for each cylinder.

should i replace the pickup coil as well?

You could get a pick-up coil, there cheap enough. I was saying you could take the coil off and have it tested since your going to the parts store. Wouldn't hurt.

thank you.coil was bad replaced it, still no spark,guess its best to replace it all.thanks again

replaced coil,pickup,crank sens,still no spark,and no engine light bulb is good.

Does the fuel pump run? Can you hear the fuel pump prime up when you turn the key to the on position? I'm starting to think a problem with the PCM.

fuel pump runs.how can i check the PCM?

I have ben searching on line on this topic and there is a lot of info out there on this. Testing sounds fairly easy. First I would disconnect the battery and unplug all the connectors one by one and plug them back in in case there is a bad connection. I read something about a ground wire if it has 5 volts on it, the pcm may be bad. I'll reference you to the sight I'm looking at but also there is a lot of info out there on this...http://www.justanswer.com/dodge/47nvn-dodge-ram-1500-4x4-1997-dodge-ram-no-spark-no-fuel-fuel.html

thanks been doing a little myself,is there a ignition module for the truck and where would it be?no decent manual to work with.

The Ignition Control Module. I looked, this does not have one. You know, thinking about this, I have come across so many incidents where the crank, cam, wheel speed sensors are too far away from the reluctor and it just a matter of getting the sensor closer to the reluctor. These sensors work off of a magnetic field.