cranks, no spark

550

Asked by darringraviet Jul 12, 2013 at 12:31 PM about the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 SLT Quad Cab 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

my truck stopped running at home (luckily)  right while I was putting it into park.  I have fuel at the injector rail, and it will not start with starter fluid.  Pulled a plug and checked for spark, no spark.  Replaced crank sensor, checked voltage at crank and cam sensors, took apart tipm (fuse box) and checked connections, checked all relays, checked the control wire from pcm to tipm, have no idea what to check next.....

60 Answers

We have to think more basic...SOLID connection from the 1/0 cable to the fender/unibody/frame needs to be cleaned shiny with a coarse wirebrush...this connection not only provides the necessary amperage to the startermotor, but is responsible for clean power to the ECM...funny little connection that actually "welds" itself into position with the high amperage...but...lends itself easily to getting frail and unreliable~...take it seriously please...also the connection of the cable to the motorblock (near the alternator)~

68 people found this helpful.

an undervoltage condition...say 14-14.5 volts is like driving your bike with flat tires...batteries get OLD faster these days because they are made from a tin-antimony alloy rather than lead....they did a switcheroo while we weren't lookin' so five years tops....you can see the date of the first charge on those knock-off labels on the top of the battery....BUY A NEW battery now...it's time....even if it still starts your car does not ACCEPT a charge anymore (if ten years old) puts extra work onto your alternator then and is a disgrace~

27 people found this helpful.
550

this truck has coil on plug system. Battery checked fine on a battery tester. even tried jumping just in case. will recheck ground connections

38 people found this helpful.
210

Mine did same thing it was a bad coil on my truck

21 people found this helpful.
680

Put new coil wires and plug and camshaft sensor on and still no fire from coil

68 people found this helpful.
450

I'm having the same problem. I replaced can sensor and she fired up again but I left the key on and I'm back to no fire.thinking that the sensor burnt from being in on position.let me know if u fins the fix plz.

45 people found this helpful.
800

I'm having the same problem on my 96 5.9. Changed cam sensor and crank sensor and didn't help. When this all started I noticed exposed wires on the tcm wore harness. I moved the harness around while looking at the wires and the truck hasn't started since. I replaced the wire harness going into the tcm but that didn't change anything either. Another odd thing I've noticed is when I turn the key on initially the fuel pump turns on and never stops. I have plenty of pressure at the rails but no ignition. I'm lost

80 people found this helpful.
1,170

Same here. 1997 dodge ram 1500. Rebuilt tranny and reinstalled. Did great. Got in it the next day and it just cranks. No unhooked grounds no pinched wires has new cam and crank sensors new fuel pump and swapped with a know good PCM. It's been down for 3 month now.

73 people found this helpful.
390

Wow sounds like a lot of are in this boat. Who has the answer? I am pretty new to using the internet to get answers. So did anyone get their engine started.

39 people found this helpful.
780

Nobody ever answers did ya get your truck running

18 people found this helpful.
1,170

I got mine going. Turns out the cam sensor went out and fried my pcm when it did. I replaced both and it started right up. Problems I was having was not power to coil or fuel pump.

44 people found this helpful.
250

I do have the same thing. Will not start or no spark. May be distributor is are out of time out of whack i think that is my my problem is

25 people found this helpful.
780

Mine was the pickup coil inside the distributor black plastic disc with a wire coming off it .. It was shorted where it kinks where it enters the distributor

23 people found this helpful.
470

I have a 1997 manual Dodge Ram 1500 sport. It ran great, then it sat all winter, turns over good, fuel pump doesn't seem to turn on, no high pressure at the fuel rail. No spark to coil, I replace coil with a brand new one, still no power to coil. I ran a jumper wire from the battery to the coil and still no power. Changed all fuses and relays in the fuse box, still nothing. Any ideas ?

47 people found this helpful.
780

ITS THE PICKUP COIL INSIDE THE DISTRIBUTOR PLASTIC DISC WITH A WIRE COMING OFF IT

20 people found this helpful.
180

I have the same prob. Changed the pickup could disk still same #@%$!

10 people found this helpful.
180

I have the same prob. Changed the pickup coil disk still same #@%$!

8 people found this helpful.
140

Read your report on the no start after doing everything in the book with no success. thought about it and we know that proper fuel,spark and compression equal run period. so putting either in the intake with with no run seems to indicate ignition. you say you have spark. i would test that. you say its got coil packs. so i would make up a high tention jumper from the #1 cyl to the plug. mark the crank and block on no.1 tdc hook up a timing light and see what you get. only a thought. computer controlled coil packe are pritty reliable but it dosen't hurt to check.

14 people found this helpful.
210

Sorry guys I have no answer either I've replaced everything that is electronic and still no luck.... on to chasing wires to see if one is broke... 99 dodge 5.2 no spark....

21 people found this helpful.
280

Have you figured out the problem??? My 05 dodge ram 4.7 is now going thru the same thing. Replaced the crank and cam sensor also the computer. Still no start!!! Ahhhh

22 people found this helpful.
330

My 94dodge had same problem changed crank and cam sensors and pcm still no spark replace coil too still nothing then I open up wire harness between pcm and to cam crank connectors and found burnt spliced wires . The orange wires and the black/ blue stripe ground also black / white stripe for 02 sensor ground put every thing back together and it fire right up it so if you changed every thing time to open up harness

33 people found this helpful.
180

mine is throwing 1765 code which is transmission relay but it will finally start and run 140 miles with no trouble with truck. what the hell does the transmission relay have to do with engine starting? and why does it store code without check engine light on.

18 people found this helpful.
120

One of my sparkplug wires wuz laying on my motor n shorted out check all plug wires!!!

12 people found this helpful.
1,250

I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7mine is doing the same thing I replaced fuel pump, fuel tank, cam, and crank sensor. I have fuel but no spark I noticed a lot of yellow with red tracer wires coming from PCM making power coming from cam does anyone know what these wires are for.

28 people found this helpful.
1,250

I have done everything brand new all sensors, battery, and cleaned all grounds. The truck has been sitting for about three years and was pretty much taken apart by the previous owner. this truck only has 20,000 miles and just cranks.

18 people found this helpful.
340

94 Dodge. Same symptoms but mine is stranger. It dies while you are going down the road. No spark. Replaced the coil but it didn't help. But if you wait 10-20 minutes it will start again and usually get you home. It will not throw a code. It will crank but no spark.

34 people found this helpful.
160

Cnltnn, we had this issue, didn't throw trouble codes but it was the O2 sensor. The O2 sensor we were told has a heating element in it like the old electric heaters. When the vehicle starts it runs by computer until proper operating temperatures take over, about 20 minutes. If that element breaks, then the computer will shut the truck down. We changed ours and have not had a problem until now. Now we are in the same boat as the rest of these guys. No spark, No codes, no iideas.

16 people found this helpful.
210

Has anyone tried replacing the under hood fuse box, seen a video on it, kinda sorta seem to work for the guy. I'm having the same problem but if I reset the ECM it will crank and I can drive it but will eventually die out on the road anybody have any ideas

10 people found this helpful.
130

It was the ecm and crank sensor under the cap. Fixed

9 people found this helpful.
210

I found my problem, mine was the connector going to the ignition coil, while it was running it was loose enough that it would vibrate down just enough that it would lose connection and kill fire to the rotor cap cheap fix$25 part just aggravating to figure out.

10 people found this helpful.
100

i have a 2001 dodge ram same thing no spark changed the cam ,crank sensors the coil ignition switch ASD relay still stalls out i can arc the black wire going to the coil on the negative side of the battery while some one cranks it over (tapping it on the battery no direct hook up ) and it will start and run it may run for a few then dies again I'm thinking it may be pcm that black wire goes directly to the pcm

10 people found this helpful.
330

I don't know if this helps anybody or if you're still in the same situation but I just went through all of this with my 97 Ram 1500 5.9 2 wheel drive and found out the only thing that caused all these issues were bare wires at the transmission control plug into the transmission they were worn out there and all shorting not the neutral safety switch but the transmission control plug should be a bit round it stopped my entire PCM,ASD, fuel pump, Spark, and number 9 fuse to the engine I fixed all the wires to that plug and everything went back to normal runs and drives perfect

33 people found this helpful.
80

I took my truck to the local mechanic because my oil pressure gauge would drop to 0 after driving it for about 15 minutes when I came to a stop in my truck. There was no problem with the way it ran or the way it started. The maintenance light was on but no other lights. As soon as I gave it gas the gauge came right back up again. This mechanic had permission to do diagnostics only. I called them 2 days later to pick up the truck to get some hay. Put an 800 lb bale in it and could not get it to go 30 miles an hour. Had to take the truck back to them. They screwed something up in the truck. Got paperwork from them showing bad ECM, coils and 02 sensor and the engine light was on when I picked it up from them. This condition did not exist until after I left the truck with them. I picked up the truck and took it home, barely. Replaced the ECM, coils and 02 sensors and it is doing the same thing. Help?

8 people found this helpful.
90

thanks, but y'all know what problem was? it was that the fuse box penal connector(s) were becoming unplugged or one was unplugged! hurry, i hope that is all it is for yous, before spend hundreds of dollars!

9 people found this helpful.
230

I have a 1997 dodge Ram 5.2, no fire. changed crank position sensor. changed cam position sensor. changed distributor cap and all wires. changed coil. Still no fire. Is there a way to eliminate all of these sensors and make it start like old school?

23 people found this helpful.
210

I'm in same boat... 98 Dodge Ram 1500 Ext 5.9L V8 4x4 Has fuel no spark..changed plugs..wires...CpS..cam sensor ...ignition coil..Still no spark from Ignition coil...wtf....someone help me P L E A S E ! !

21 people found this helpful.
180

I'm seeing a lot of the same answers. I've replaced the cap, rotor, wires, plugs both crank and cam sensor, coil, and the pcm. Still a lawn ornament.

11 people found this helpful.
150

Did any of you guys with a second gen replace the distributor pick up plate.. that solved my issue cutting off on the highway... starts every rime now.. and clean your grounds under the alternator and tighten it.. it's the ecm ground..

15 people found this helpful.
180

I done all this, I'm ready to pay a friend to find the problem.

7 people found this helpful.
140

I recently traded for a 2004 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi. Truck was setting still, idling away when all of the sudden it quit like I’d turned it off. It restarted and has been running fine until today. After watching a few YouTube videos about why it had quit running the other day, I decided to change the cam and crank sensors. After doing that, the truck will NOT start back! Just cranks. And now the engine light is on. I reinstalled the old sensors and that didn’t work. I borrowed a code reader and it shows both the cam and crank sensors are bad! I had a friend crank the engine while I wiggled wires everywhere with no results. It’s getting fuel too. Anyone care to help me diagnose this problem?

14 people found this helpful.
10

I have a 99 dodge 2500 with 8,0 liter. The engine would stop at irregular times. Changed ecm and no further problem.

1 people found this helpful.
210

Same problem, no spark, changed crankshaft position sensor,cam sensor, coil, still no spark, I got volts from the coil wire but when I turn the truck over to start I loose all voltage...any ideas why.

21 people found this helpful.
60

bcamp29545 ..the oil pressure sending unit is bad..that's why your oil dropped to zero frequently..located near distributor

6 people found this helpful.
30

.I have a 2007 I replaced the cam sensor and lost all Fire to the spark plugs

3 people found this helpful.
110

I was banging my head on my 98 Ram, had fuel but no spark, replaced crank sensor and coil, tried new computer and still no power to coil. Went all winter without a plow truck :( Ended up being the pick up coil in the distributor, who ever said that only operates the injectors was full of crap, as soon as i did that it fired right up.

11 people found this helpful.
100

I have a 02 dodge ram with the 4.7 have no spark got new cam and crank sensors and still no spark at all

10 people found this helpful.
60

I have a 2002 Dodge 1500 4.7 I put a a motor from an 03 Dodge put timing chains O2 sensor Cam and crank sensor and it won't start ,cranks and all I get is popin.

6 people found this helpful.
60

Thanks for all the input gang. Here's what happened to me and I it's running now. I have a 97 dodge B2500. Setting at a light, when started to go the engine started sputtering then fell on its face. It would not restart. I'm old school and thought it had jumped time, having about 230,000 miles in the odm. But before jumping to a timing chain job I did a few test and read these blogs about the trouble. I had switched the pcm before and had the old one which will not allow the alternator to work but the engine would run. I switched it and still no good. Pulled no. 1 piston to the top and checked the position of the rotor button. There is a mark on the distributor to align the button with. It checked good. I took the timing sensor inside the distributor, crank sensor, and coil to the parts place and tested them against new ones with an ohm meter. There were resistance differences on the coil so bought that. There was inconsistent readings on the sensor in the distributor that lead me to believe I had a short in a wire. I bought that too. The crank sensor read open across all pins as did the new one so I passed on it. I replaced the distributor sensor and the coil and it started on the first hit. Pretty sure it was the coil and I broke a wire in the sensor moving it around. If you have changed the coil pcm and related sensors and it still doesn't start. I would check the timing by lining up the timing marks on the harmonic balancer and distributor.

6 people found this helpful.
30

1998 RAM 5.2 4x4 Car dont have spark anymore. Bought new coil but still nothing. Checked distriburtor- looks okay. Maybe the ECU is toasted ? Engine turns over, i had fuel pressure at first but now its gone also. This car has OBD2 i think, what do you guys thing, will computer tell anything ? I need to know before i call towcar and drive 60miles to the garage where they still have diagnostic tools for so old car.

3 people found this helpful.
100

Got a 01 ram 1500 sport. It started acting up dieing on me but would start back few mins later so i went out of town came back started to work on it and it did fine for 3 weeks then it died and never started since ,it has no spark and drained a brand new battery ive ,replaced coil,,,pcm,, distributor,, ,crank sensor,,,, all fuses good ,,,and fuel control mod. On carb. Im lost now still nothing tired of throwing money in it

10 people found this helpful.
60

Coop1972: Did you replace the distributor pick-up (Aka: Cam Sensor) that's located inside the ignition distributor? It's often the reason for no spark if the ignition coil and the crankshaft sensor are both good. Also, check all ground (-) connections. Check main power (+) cable to starter solenoid. If ALL sensors test good, check wiring harness wires. Sometimes wires can burn up between PCM & sensors. I've also seen defective new sensors. "New" means nothing nowadays.

6 people found this helpful.
10

I'm at the point now where I changed my Crank shaft sensor and still no spark to the coil. I will take the cap off the distributor and check the points and replace the distributor assembly sensor next. Haven't replaced the cam shaft Sensor yet. I think the problem was coming from the distributor itself?? To be determined

10

At least the cam shaft sensor is a million times easier to replace then the crank shaft sensor was. You need to be long armed and skinny

1 people found this helpful.
20

I went through all this. Saw the lightning bolt, so had the throttle body changed, and continued to go down the line. Thought it was the crank, the cam, the distributor, even power to the starter. Finally, my wife found a mobile mechanic, who came over at around 8pm, at about 31degrees farenheit outside, and did the regular checks. Tries the ignition, check the fuses and relays, checked the starter, checked the fuel pump, got on his back on the frigid, black top, and then went back under the hood, asked my wife to crank it, check for fuel preassure. All this time he's quiet. Took about 35 minutes inspecting everything. Went under the car again, and a few minutes later, came up and said he can turn it on and get it running that night, but he needed to go buy a wire. We decided against it, and asked that he come the next day, by midday, when the sun would provide a a tiny bit of heat. He did, and got my car to run. Running ever since. I had a mechanic from Dodge Chrisler look at my car, and he couldnt figure what was wrong with it. This young man, came in and did, what I was beginning to think would never happen. Check the wires, to and from the fuel pump and the starter. I dont know what he did, I was at work the day he returned with the wire, and got the car to run.

2 people found this helpful.
10

Check for bad wires from coil plug and coolant temperature sensor!

1 people found this helpful.

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