Truck stalled after hitting a bump, will not start?

Tiny
BOSSMAN19
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 RAM 1500
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 117,000 MILES
I was driving down the road, and I hit a bump. After I hit the bump, my truck immediately stalled out. Once I stopped, I tried to restart. It would crank but not fire. I have tested connections to he battery and all I could see under the hood and all seemed to be fine. Could it possibly be the fuel relay going bad?
Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 AT 2:47 PM

31 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

In most cases, a crank with no start is either the result of an ignition issue or fuel. We need to determine which is causing the problem.

Here is what I need you to do. See if the engine starts if you use starting fluid. If it does and then stalls, we will know it's fuel-related. If there is no change, then I need you to check for spark at the spark plugs.

Here is a link that explains how to check:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-for-ignition-spark

As far as a fuel pump relay, pay attention to see if you can hear the pump prime for a second when the key is first turned to the on position. There is also an automatic shutdown relay (ASD) relay that may be an issue. Either way, both will prevent the pump from running.

Try this and let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 AT 8:30 PM
Tiny
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Awesome, thank you. I just dropped my wife off at work and now heading to get the starter fluid. I will also check for the fuel pump (something I completely forgot to do). I will let you know what I find out.
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 AT 7:01 AM
Tiny
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Alright so, just got back home. I sprayed the starter fluid and she acted like she wanted to start but couldn't roll over. Also, I did not hear the fuel pump. I also switched the ASD relay with another relay to test that out and nothing. The check engine light has not come on at all, but I did do a code check " just to see if anything popped up" to cover all basis. No codes.
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 AT 7:47 AM
Tiny
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I did test for spark as well and there is spark.
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 AT 9:29 AM
Tiny
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Hi,

If the ASD checks good, we need to check a couple of fuses and the pump relay.

If you look below, I attached a pic from the schematic. Check fuses 70 and 78 in the underhood fuse box. If they are good, remove the relay and locate connector pins 85 and 30 for the relay. Connector 85 should have power when the run start relay is closed. Check if that is the case.

Pin 30 should have B+ at all times. Confirm that as well. If they both get power, then I need you to jump connector pins 30 and 87 of the fuel pump relay to see if the pump turns on. If it does, then we likely lost ground at connector 86 which is provided via the PCM. If it doesn't turn on, we need to check if there is power at the pump when these are jumped.

Here is a link you may find helpful when testing the relay and its circuit:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
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Good morning. I will check these once I get out of work and let you know what I find out.

Best Regards,

Ben
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Thursday, February 1st, 2024 AT 3:53 AM
Tiny
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Okay, so, fuses 70 and 78 are both good. Now the Fuel pump relay on Rams is located inside the TIPM and is soldered to the circuit board. Is there a way to test that without taking the TIPM apart?
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Thursday, February 1st, 2024 AT 10:46 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

The only way is to check for power and ground at the wiring. Is that something you are comfortable performing? Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, February 1st, 2024 AT 6:20 PM
Tiny
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Hello, yeah, I would feel comfortable with that.
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Thursday, February 1st, 2024 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
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You know what, let's try this in a different way that will be easier. Fuse 70 shouldn't have any power when the key is off. When you first turn the key on, it should have power. Check that. Do this with a helper so you can tell if power is available as soon as the key is turned on.

If it is, then I need you to locate the C3 connector at the power distribution center, locate pin 25 (brown wire), and check for continuity to ground when the key is turned on. A ground path should be provided to actuate the primary side of the relay and engage the secondary.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pics below.
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Thursday, February 1st, 2024 AT 7:08 PM
Tiny
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Will do. I will check on this when I get home from work if my wife is home. If she's not I may have to do it tomorrow so bear with me if it takes me a minute to reply back to you.

Ben
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Friday, February 2nd, 2024 AT 4:23 AM
Tiny
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Good evening. I checked fuse 70 and it's not getting any power at all. All other fuses are getting power.
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Friday, February 2nd, 2024 AT 2:43 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

Fuse 70 is what sends power to the fuel pump once the relay is completed. So, either we have a faulty printed circuit board, the PCM isn't providing a ground path, or there is an open in the PCM not letting power reach the pump relay.

I don't want to say it, but I suspect the PCB is faulty. The bump may have caused a solder joint to crack.

Let me know if you are comfortable checking pin 25 on the C3 connector for continuity to ground. If you have a test lamp, connect the alligator clip side to the battery positive. The tester side goes to pin 25 on the PCM side. Have a helper turn the key to the run and then start positions to see if the test light turns on.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, February 2nd, 2024 AT 9:42 PM
Tiny
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Hello. Okay, will do! I will let you know what I find.
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Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 AT 5:52 AM
Tiny
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Good afternoon!
I located C3 and pin 25 and nothing once the truck was turned to the run or start position.
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Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 AT 12:17 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

That would indicate the PCM isn't providing a ground path. On the other hand, you also indicated there is no power to fuse 70 when the key is turned on. Based on that, we have two different problems. Are you certain there is no power to fuse 70? And on the PCM itself, pin 25 doesn't provide a ground path?

I want to say the PCB/TIPM is faulty based on no power. The ground is something different. I wouldn't think both would fail at the same time.

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 AT 3:49 PM
Tiny
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I'm wondering if the connection on pin 25 could be corroded? I have a digital tester and the I would either get nothing or a very very faint green rather than the bright green or red with a power reading. Fuse 70 doesn't have power I tested it a few times and got nothing. I was going to pull the TIPM tomorrow and check pin 25 to see the connection to the C3 connector.
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Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 AT 5:52 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

Anything is possible. I think checking the connector pin is a good idea. When you do it, make sure there are no cracks or damage on the pin. It is a somewhat common issue.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 AT 6:14 PM
Tiny
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Got ya! I'll let ya know what I find. It may not be until Monday until I get back to ya. I appreciate your help!

Ben
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Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 AT 6:16 PM
Tiny
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Good evening. So, I removed the TIPM and cleaned up the connectors along with the pin 25 and found it was a little on the dirty side. Now there was still no power at fuse 70 so I had opened up the TIPM to see if I could find the fuel pump relay and cannot find it. Before I order a refurbished one do you possibly know which one on the circuit board is the FPR? I have googled and nothing has popped up for a 2013 Ram 1500 with the 5.7. I took a picture of the PCB.
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Sunday, February 4th, 2024 AT 6:24 PM

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