Brain Teaser 91 Dodge Ram V6

Living on the boat last year the old Dodge truck would not start unless I spent 10 minuted bumping the starter, once it started that first time was good for the day and would start right off first turn of the key.

I've put up with this nonsense for the past six months then had a brain fart, the other day rather than bump the starter decided to turn the ignition to the run position powered up hot for a couple of minutes thinking this would preheat a bad capacitor inside the ECM.

**** if the engine don't start right up on the first turn of the starter motor, just like new.

I knew that it was not a fuel problem because I could always smell raw fuel in the air on those times it would not start.

Check your cables. My bet is that there is corrosion on the cables that run to the starter. I had a similar problem and replaced the starter because I thought the solenoid was bad. I found out it was the cables.

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Originally Posted by t00nces2

Check your cables. My bet is that there is corrosion on the cables that run to the starter. I had a similar problem and replaced the starter because I thought the solenoid was bad. I found out it was the cables.

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Nothing wrong with the starter, it's the engine engine computer thats wonky and yes it could be a corroded plug connection. Today is damp and the truck won't start at all so I'm leaning towards the bad plus connection in the wiring harness. Now If I only knew where the computer was located or even what it looks like.

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Originally Posted by alloy2

Now If I only knew where the computer was located or even what it looks like.

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Check between the battery and the fender.

It looks roughly like this:

http://www.partsgeek.com/assets/dimage/full/1034632.jpg


Keep us posted if this fixes the problem. My Escort wagon has the same issue if it sits overnight in any weather colder than 50 degrees F. Starts up, runs for a few seconds and quits.
To get it going again, I either need to crank it over a bit or leave the key on for around 30 seconds. After that, it'll start and run fine all day. In the summer, it starts up fine with no issues.
It's not the fuel pump, because once it's up and running I can climb steep hills at full throttle with no hesitation. I've been told in my case it's probably the ignition module on the distributor. Form what I could find about that generation of Dodge, the ignition module is part of the ECU.

That generation of dodge is notorious for water fouled connections on the ecm and crank position sensor, both can cause random crank- no start fault.

Also google how to find and test the auto shut down relay. (ASD Relay) if its faulty ecm and fuel pump can power up, but ignition coil wont, which equals no spark even when everything else is working fine.

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Originally Posted by ilovejunk

That generation of dodge is notorious for water fouled connections on the ecm and crank position sensor, both can cause random crank- no start fault.

Also google how to find and test the auto shut down relay. (ASD Relay) if its faulty ecm and fuel pump can power up, but ignition coil wont, which equals no spark even when everything else is working fine.

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You nailed it, ASD is bad. there;s three little square boxes mounted on the fender well I just beat them with the palm of my hand and the truck started right up when I'm at the scrap yard picking up the Kubota then I will get some replacement relays.

My Ford Aerostar had a rollover sensor that would shut down on gravel roads.

A neighbor nearby has I'm guessing a mid 50's Ford truck with a flathead V8 when the weather is better I'm going to wander over then if the truck is fairly decent make an offer. Get something I understand mechanically.

Thanks guys for the help, I owe you both one.

I agree with you guys the Dodge problem is definitely weather related, I'm going to disconnect all the plugs then add some Dielectric Grease before reassembling them.

https://s29.postimg.org/4z3g4eul3/die.png

Love the dielectric grease.
Having electrical issues with the spreader after a big storm because of salt corrosion....not this guy!

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Originally Posted by NHscrapman

Love the dielectric grease.
Having electrical issues with the spreader after a big storm because of salt corrosion....not this guy!

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I learned about this grease when I had purchased those LED lights for the car trailer that I built a few years back, then kinda forgot all about it. Each light came with a small tube of paste, never had an ounce of problems with the wiring even after as toy say driving on salted roads.

Couple months back I borrowed the crane truck from the guy I had sold it to, I had also installed LED's on it. They sure have beat the snot out of that old truck made me feel really sad. Truck is in such poor condition I hesitate to borrow it again for fear it would break down.

When I go for the Kubota there's a Princess Auto in the same town, dielectric grease is on my list of goodies to buy.

The deed has been done, I used Grote Ultra Seal.

Electrical sealant is a special dialectic silicone compound that seals out moisture, salt and corrosives from plug-ins and other fittings. Ultra-Seal prevents rust and corrosion. Operating range from -40 degrees C to 150 degrees C