1999 Dodge Ram Van 1500 3.9L won't start - Page 2

wrote:


but nothing

have replaced the

and all are

to the plugs so

morning . Thanks.


  This is a longshot   and may not even apply to a '99, but...  How do
you know for sure its getting fuel?
  My '89 Caravan (4-cyl 2.5 litre Chrysler engine) once quit on me-
plenty of spark, no codes, fuel pump could be heard to start, but no
go.  Turned out to be the (I think its called the Hall Effect Sensor,
or ignition oickup coil) located on a little plate in the bottom of
the distributor housing- prevents the fuel pressure control valve from
opening unless it senses engine revolutions.  Replaced the plate
(cheap fix IIRC about $40 at the time), end of problem.

   Just a thought.

        Jimmy

On 3/1/2011 6:33 PM, Jimmy@forteinc.com wrote:

He shot it with ether, which should have caused at least a hint of
starting... I've actually kept engines running for a few seconds (10 to
15) with careful sequential sprays of ether. So fuel is probably not the
problem.

My money is on either the spark is weaker than he thinks, or that it is
horribly out of time.

But I'd also consider doing a compression test, to eliminate the rare
case of a broken cam or gear.


--
I'm never going to grow up.

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I've actually

sprays of ether. So

horribly out of time.

a broken cam or

I had the front of the motor off and it would have showed if there was a broken
gear or cam.

with fuel, air and spark the only other reason the motor
wont run is if it jumped timing. did you check the timing marks on the
timing gear and crank when
you had the front of the motor off? ie. check to see if it will line up for
tdc.
this happens when the engine diesals when it is shut off. or back fires
loudly, happens when the timing chain
is stretched a little.

timing control modual would be my last guess, it may have the timing
advanced or retarded to much. so you can have
spark, fuel and still get no bang.

lol just had one other oddball idea, the distribitor shaft is gear drive, if
the timing marks on the cam and crank match up
pull the distribitor shaft and take a look at the gear teeth on the end of
the shaft look for any chipped teeth. if it has any
then you may need a new cam shaft. and it will still have spark the whole
time just not at the rigth times you need them.

wes

Here's something for you:

I recently worked on a 97 Ram with a 5.2 engine in it...
CPS wires had been chewn by a rat, so it had no spark.
Funny thing was, when I first tried to run it, the engine dieseled
when i sprayed ether in it..   with no spark.

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turns but nothing

have replaced

and all are

to the plugs so

morning . Thanks.

Hi, I am sorry for not getting back sooner but was not online due to working
long hours.

I know there is fuel because, there is 42 pounds of pressure at the fuel rail.
On my van it has
a "cam sensor" and it shows to be good. Thanks for your thoughts because I am
still baffled at
this even though I have worked on vehicles for over 30 years.

responding to
http://www.motorsforum.com/dodge_trucks/1999-dodge-ram-van-1500-3-9l-won-t-start-43123-.htm
, Aaron wrote:

 
Hi Dale, Just wondered what you figured out on this one since I'm having the
same issue with the same engine...If you have the fix, please let me know
thanks!