1983 Dodge Ram Dies After Warmup

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TUCKER9681
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  • 2 POSTS
1983 Dodge Ram350 15-passenger van with 62,000 miles. 318ci. auto transmission

Okay, I've talked to a lot of mechanics about this, my dad included, and me being sort of a mechanic should know a little more than I do. But I'm really stumped with this one.

my van started having problems about 2 months ago. It would run fine for about 25-30 mins, then die, then if i let it sit for about 15 mins, it would start and run again. when it would die, it would only run with the ignition held in the start position, and would drive, but soon as i let off in the run position, it would die.

now, it wont run at all unless ignition is held in the start position. Initially i thought it was a coil problem, I've changed two of those, still did the same thing, so i went to the ignition switch, and bypassed it by running a hot wire from the battery to the coil, still didn't work. I've checked almost every connection i can think of, ground wires, fuses, switches, etc, and I still can't find anything. Now, I'm considering it to be the ignition control module, the external resistor, or something with the distributor.

any help or advice would be appreciated. I am having the control module tested this weekend. If that is not the problem then I am clueless.

Thanks!

Tucker from Oklahoma
Jun 23, 2006 at 3:02 AM
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VANDRAGON
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 298 POSTS
i say ignition switch. it may only have 62000 miles on it but how many times has it been started sence 83. sounds like a short trip ride, like to the store and back.
Jun 23, 2006 at 10:29 AM
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TUCKER9681
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it has been started and driven quite a bit.. used to be a church van, then YMCA van, then a rock band mobile... who knows... it may be ignition, may be control module.. at least its narrowed down now.. thanks!
Jun 25, 2006 at 11:36 AM

Suggested Repair

Test and replace the ignition switch. The expert suspects it is worn from many start cycles since 1983 despite the relatively low mileage.

Conversation Summary

A 1983 Dodge Ram 350 van with a 318 engine ran normally for 25-30 minutes, then stalled and would restart after sitting. It later would run only with the key held in start and died in the run position. The owner replaced coils, bypassed the ignition switch with a hot wire to the coil, and checked grounds, fuses, and connections without success, and was considering the ignition control module, ballast resistor, or distributor. The expert recommended the ignition switch because of the many starts over the years.

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