Cranks but will not start scanner won't read?

1997 DODGE RAM
200,000 MILES • 5.2L • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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J.STIEG
Engine cranks but will not start. There is no spark and the scanner won't read.
Sep 8, 2025 at 11:51 AM
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AL514
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Hello, have you checked pin 16 of the data link connector for power? Pins 4 and 5 are Grounds also. Ill post a diagram of it
Sep 8, 2025 at 12:50 PM
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AL514
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Heres the pinout for the data link connector and the data bus diagram which shows where pin 16 gets its power from (fuse 17 left dash fuse box). I would go through with a test light and check all the fuses in the vehicle. Let us know if you find any blown fuses so we can pull wiring diagrams for those circuits.
Does the Check engine light come on when you turn the key On?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse
Sep 8, 2025 at 12:59 PM
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J.STIEG
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Yes it has power at DLC pin 16 from cigarette lighter fuse, Also has ground at 4 and 5.
Sep 8, 2025 at 12:59 PM
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AL514
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Im seeing power for the DLC coming from Fuse 17, thats even on the oem diagrams
Sep 8, 2025 at 1:06 PM
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AL514
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Do you have a check engine light coming on at key On for at least a few seconds?
Sep 8, 2025 at 1:08 PM
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AL514
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Fuse 9 powers the control side of the Auto shut down relay and fuel pump relay, which is hot with the key on or cranking. It also sends power to the Ignition pin of the PCM.
Fuse 4 in the Power Dist fuse block (engine compartment) powers the load side of the those relays, they power the ignition coil and injectors.
Sep 8, 2025 at 1:22 PM
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J.STIEG
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No check engine light, Just airbag and oil light.
Sep 8, 2025 at 1:23 PM
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AL514
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Here are the PCM diagrams for power from the Auto shut down relay, if you have power at the PCM on pin A2, I would also check for a 5volt Reference at the MAP sensor since its the easiest to get to.
Sep 8, 2025 at 1:29 PM
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J.STIEG
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The PCM won't ground ASD relay or the fuel pump relay.
Sep 8, 2025 at 1:30 PM
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J.STIEG
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I get .75 volts at MAP 5 volt reference supply.
Sep 8, 2025 at 1:33 PM
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AL514
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Ok, Do you have battery voltage at those relays though? If so, then with the MAP ref voltage being so low, start to unplug any 3 wire sensor that uses a 5 volt reference. Do them one at a time and see if the 5 volts comes back, because if a sensor is shorting the 5volt ref down, it will cause the PCM to go down as well. This is a common fault. The crank sensor also uses a 5volt ref. But start with the MAP, unplug it check for the 5volts, if its still at the same reading, plug the MAP back in and move on to the next 3 wire sensor. You can even just monitor the 5v ref at the MAP while unplugging other sensors. On an older vehicle like this the reference voltage will be a shared 5v. Ill post all the other sensors that use the ref voltage.
Sep 8, 2025 at 1:59 PM
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J.STIEG
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I disconnected the MAP and TPS no change. I can't easily access the other sensors. So I cut both the 5 volt reference wires 8 inches away from pcm, Now with the 5 volt wires going nowhere I measured again and still get .75 volts, Powers and grounds at PCM check to be good as well.
Sep 8, 2025 at 2:14 PM
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AL514
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These are all the sensors that use a 5v reference. Ive added the temperature sensors as well, usually 2 wire temperature sensors have their own dedicated 5v ref, which is pulled low according to the resistance of the sensor, and thats how the PCM reads the temp sensors signal. So if you get through the 3 wire sensors with no change, you can check them as well.
Sep 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
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AL514
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Well thats a different situation. Youre getting the same 0.75v on the other 3 wire sensors?
Sep 8, 2025 at 2:23 PM
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AL514
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Try unplugging some temperature sensors. I like your diag style I must say though, its right to the point.
Sep 8, 2025 at 2:24 PM
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AL514
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Did you load test powers and grounds for the PCM? I use a higher amperage test light to do so, such as a turn signal bulb, so it will make sure the circuit can carry some current. Just make sure the PCM connectors are unplugged.
Sep 8, 2025 at 2:26 PM
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AL514
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And you continuity from the ASD relay control wire to the PCM I assume?
Sep 8, 2025 at 2:30 PM
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AL514
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I do see a connector (C125) on the control side of the ASD relay to the PCM.
Sep 8, 2025 at 2:39 PM
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AL514
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Assuming there is power at the ASD location
Sep 8, 2025 at 2:41 PM
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J.STIEG
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I did not try the light bulb test. I back probed the PCM with a back probed and the power is not dropping while connected and in use.
Sep 8, 2025 at 2:48 PM
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J.STIEG
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The ground pins had continuity to ground.
Sep 8, 2025 at 2:52 PM
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AL514
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What about the ASD relay control wire to the PCM, with the relay out do you have continuity to PCM connector C pin C3? Thats the wire the PCM should ground to activate the relay. And as for load testing powers and grounds, I always use a higher amperage bulb to make sure that wire can carry enough current. So for example, if there is a wire that is broken some where but there is still one strand of wire that is not broken, the wire will not carry current, but will test fine with a resistance test. Hence the reason for load testing.
So you would back probe the PCM connector that has the power wire you want to check, in this case A2 and use the back probe to power the test light. And in the case of a Ground wire, you would hook the test light to B+ and use the back probed PCM pin (which goes directly to ground) to ground the test light.
But you want to remember not to pull high amperage through the PCM, only using the wires that come directly from a fuse or relay, and wires that go directly to ground. If you need more info on this. I think I have some diagrams to help.
Sep 8, 2025 at 3:02 PM
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AL514
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Heres my load testing diagram, excuse my terrible artwork..
Sep 8, 2025 at 3:21 PM
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AL514
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If you need some time to test, we can come back to this tomorrow. I will get a notification of any messages you post.
One last thing to check is the pin tension inside the PCM connectors. A loose pin not making good contact may look ok, but not have enough tension on the PCM pins.
To check this, I use a pin that is a little smaller than the pins in the PCM, that way I am sure there is good tension inside the female pins of the PCM's harness connector.
Pin tension can be a tricky diag, but over time with connectors being unplugged and also with the pins heating up and cooling down due to normal operation, the pins can spread and prevent good contact. Very important to check and highly over looked many times.
Sep 8, 2025 at 3:28 PM
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AL514
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Something else to note. With the key On, you should read 12volts on the ASD relay control wire at the PCM connector C pin C3, you should read 12volts on the control wire until the PCM actually grounds the relay, then the voltage will drop to zero. This is another testing method. It can be done with any actuator that is ground side controlled, such as a fuel injector. Just something you can try,. The wire is a DarkBlue/Yellow wire. The PCM should turn on the ASD for 2 seconds the same as the Fuel pump relay prime, and then will require a crank signal to reactivate the ASD and fuel pump relays.

If all else fails, when you have done all the testing you can, we can try grounding the ASD relay and see if the PCM comes to life, but this is the last thing to do because we need to be very careful grounding PCM circuits.
Sep 8, 2025 at 4:20 PM
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J.STIEG
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I got the 5 v reference signal back by changing the PCM, Truck runs good.
Sep 20, 2025 at 8:16 PM
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AL514
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Ok glad you got it figured out. I am curious why the voltage regulator failed in the PCM, kind of an odd fault. Would be interesting to take a look at the PCM. But its good its up and running.
Sep 21, 2025 at 9:15 AM
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