1986 Dodge Ram

KROLLOR

MEMBER
1986 DODGE RAM

1986 Dodge Ram 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

My truck has been running rough recently and would sputter when I made left turns and had no power going up hills. Then I found that the manifold bolts were loose. I tightened them and the truck started stumbling. It sounded like an ignition/electrical problem, so I gave the truck a tune up. I put in new spark plugs, new plug wires, new distributor cap and new rotor button and when I tried to crank the truck it wold turn over but refused to crank. Then I found that I had put the wrong spark plugs in and changed them to the correct spark plugs (also new) and now the truck backfires every time I try to crank it and, again, the engine will turn over but the truck won't crank. I've checked the firing order and my dad has checked the firing order several times and it's correct. We looked at everything under the hood and it all seems to be okay: nothing is leaking, nothing is cracked, etc. But the truck will not crank. Advice?

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

"Turn over" and "crank" are the same thing. Since it's backfiring, I assume it's cranking. Have you checked for spark? Based on the initial symptoms, you might suspect the ignition coil or worn bushings in the distributor. The air gap for the pickup coil in the distributor is critical. Check ignition timing too. If it seems to be off quite a bit, check the nylon gear on the bottom of the distributor to see if the teeth are worn off. The gear can crack too if moisture in the oil freezes in cold weather.

If you have the five-pin ignition module, be sure it is bolted solidly to the body. It needs that for a good ground. If you have the computer on the air cleaner housing, check for a loose plug underneath it.

Caradiodoc