Cranks but no spark

Tiny
RUSSELL ADLER
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 DODGE RAM
  • 5.2L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Truck turns over but no spark.
Tuesday, April 17th, 2018 AT 5:20 PM

23 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
What have you checked so far and what were the results? Have you read the diagnostic fault codes? Do you have a scanner? If you do, look at the live data screen at the crankshaft position sensor and camshaft position sensor to see how they are listed during cranking. Look for one of their signals that is missing.

If you do not have a scanner, use a test light to see if the automatic shutdown, (ASD) relay is turning on. Look for the wire that is the same color at every injector, the ignition coil pack, or either smaller terminal on the back of the alternator. Typically that is a dark green/orange wire on cars and minivans. I think that applies to trucks too, but I am not sure. Back-probe that wire. A digital voltmeter will work too, but they do not respond as fast as a test light.

You should see the test light turn on for one second when you turn on the ignition switch, then it will turn off. What is important is whether it turns on again during cranking. If it does not, the cam and crank sensors are the best suspects.
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Tuesday, April 17th, 2018 AT 6:21 PM
Tiny
RUSSELL ADLER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No power to green/orange wire with test light cannot read codes because will not connect to scanner. I have tried four different scanners. All fuses are good.
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Wednesday, April 18th, 2018 AT 6:14 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Chrysler makes reading engine fault codes much easier than any other manufacturer. Cycle the ignition switch from "off" to "run" three times within five seconds without cranking the engine. Leave it in "run", then watch the code numbers appear in the odometer display.

Did you see twelve volts on the dark green/orange wire for one second when you turned on the ignition switch?
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Wednesday, April 18th, 2018 AT 1:31 PM
Tiny
WILLISANDREWS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 DODGE RAM
  • 108,000 MILES
I own a 1996 Dodge Ramvan B3500 with a 5.9 engine. A few weeks ago the van ran fine, it had trouble cranking, then it rained for days, now it wont crank at all. I changed the starter, it got rid of the clicking sound, I changed the ignition coil, it appears it isn't getting fire. Then I tried changing the "crankshaft position sensor. I discovered that none of these items are receiving power. Does this mean it is a problem with the computer or could it be the ignition switch?
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAN_K
  • MECHANIC
  • 213 POSTS
If it doesn't crank, I would begin by checking the battery and starting system. Check all cables for corrosion/high resistance first. Have the battery load tested, also.
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANTHONY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1995 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
Truck will not start still after replacing several parts and the Engine fuse in the cab keeps blowing. Still not getting a spark from the plugs. Changed the crank sensor, coil pack, pick-up coil, and nuetral switch.
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Your starting point here is you need to fix the short circuit that causing the engine fuse to blow
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANTHONY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Would a fuel pump cause this fuse to keep blowing?
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MATSZAT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 198,000 MILES
I have a 94 dodge ram that died when I was driving I replaced the following items, new cam sensor, cap and rotor, coil, crankshaft senor check the asd relay with new relay and still no power at coil the engine cranks over but still no spark. Can u help?
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Any applicable mil codes? Did you check primary voltage at the ignition coil and fuel injectors, engine cranking. Dark green wire with orange tracer should be hot. Use a gage and check fuel pressure. Just for testing, unplug your 02 sensors then see if it will start?
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
E MARSHALL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1990 DODGE RAM
  • 5.2L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 23,400 MILES
I have changed the motor in my 90 dodge now I am getting any spark I had another ecm and thought that was my problem but still nothing. I am getting power to the coil I am stumped
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check all fusible links in pic they go off of starter relay check fuel pump relay for power.
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
E MARSHALL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I am starting to think my pickup coil is bad not telling the ecm that is starting
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If you are getting power to coil crank engine with large coil wire removed from dist cap and ground that out to see if yo are getting spark. If it sparks there then the dist cap or rotor is bad. Teste resistance of coil it may be bad coil. Pickup coil should have 400-800 ohms if it's good ornot.
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
E MARSHALL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Ya that's how I know there is no spark from the coil that's why I am thinking it could be the pickup coil not saying the motor is trying to start
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It can also be the module as well.
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIAN ARTHOFER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1983 DODGE RAM
  • 6 CYL
  • 142,000 MILES
Truck ran great. Pressure washed truck, now no spark. Power to both sides of coil. Is that correct?
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
Which ignition system do you have? There is either a five-pin ignition module on the firewall or fender, or the computer bolted to the air filter housing.
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEPHEN COLLINS2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1983 DODGE RAM
  • 3.7L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 99,115 MILES
My truck receives a good voltage reading from the ignition switch and battery to the coil. It does not seem like there is any wires burned out. Do you know what the orange ECU box should be reading so I know if it is good?
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check your ballast resistor on the firewall what happens when it goes bad is the car will try to start on start position on ignition switch then shut off when you let off key. Check pickup coil for air gap.008-.010" and for ohms 150-900 ohms if out of range pick up coil is no good. Finally check coil at positive and negative if 10 volts on both the control unit is bad.
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Sunday, December 13th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)

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