Hi,
Says "Power Ram" on the side but it's an '85
so I'm guessing DW 100? anyway,...5.2 318
Turns over but wont start.
Tried starter fluid, but nothing.
Not getting any spark that we could see.
Replaced distributor cap, rotor, coil, resistor.
Still nothing.
It ran fine to work, and late that night when I
got off work it just wouldn't start. Strange.
Any ideas? It's still in my work parking lot.
Thanks.
Megunticook
03-19-2008, 02:11 PM
No spark, eh?
You check all the wiring between the distributor, ignitor, and ballast resistor? All the connections clean and tight?
If that all checks out, you might try replacing the ballast resistor...
86_custom
03-19-2008, 03:34 PM
The spark control computer nuisance box could have gone bad
bherder
03-19-2008, 04:00 PM
Hi,
Says "Power Ram" on the side but it's an '85
so I'm guessing DW 100? anyway,...5.2 318
'Power Ram' (Unless someone decided to stick badges on it, cause they thought it looked cool) is a 4x4 (Look at the front axle.. Does it look like a rear axle?) If so, 4x4. Congradulations! ;)
It would be a "W" .... No "D" .... As in 'W100 ... W150... W200' .. etc.
Turns over but wont start.
Tried starter fluid, but nothing.
Not getting any spark that we could see.
Replaced distributor cap, rotor, coil, resistor.
Still nothing.
Only thing left is the ECU, ignition switch, or a freak wiring malfuntion.
It ran fine to work, and late that night when I
got off work it just wouldn't start. Strange.
I've had an ECU work fine one minute and NOT the next....
Any ideas? It's still in my work parking lot.
Thanks
foggy_notion
03-19-2008, 11:06 PM
yes 4x4, looks alot like Meganticook's truck
same color short bed, but this website says
somewhere "hostory of the ram" and starts
with a year after 1985, so I figured the old
emblem fell off and they found a junk yard
emblem that fit the holes.
Anyway, what's an ECU?
I replaced the resister but only after replacing
the coil, so I'm wondering if it is possible that
I fried the new coil with the old resister if the
old resister was bad?
Quote:
"The spark control computer nuisance box could have gone bad"
What is that? ...the ECU? They have computer chips in 1985?
.
76D100
03-19-2008, 11:51 PM
I had a problem like this myself and solved it with help the other day. Sometimes it wouldent start, sputter/ die and ran like a dog. I had replaced plugs, wires, cap, rotor and was going to go on to new coil/ HEI system (GM or Mallory upgrade in the future)
Attached to the dist on the front/ drivers side is a small round cylinder shaped resistor that has somthing to do with the radio and interferance given off by the dist as it goes round in circles... Disconnect the little resistor that is bolted down very close to the dist cap on the intake manifold. I THINK it is attached to a ground/ black wire form the dist...
Check all your connections again. Its somthing stupid... Somthing small...
If not, do you know for sure that you have no power or absoutley no spark?
Are you sure your choke is working properley? I am also having issues with that but nothing pressing at this time.
bherder
03-20-2008, 01:55 AM
yes 4x4, looks alot like Meganticook's truck
same color short bed, but this website says
somewhere "hostory of the ram" and starts
with a year after 1985, so I figured the old
emblem fell off and they found a junk yard
emblem that fit the holes.
ALTHOUGH Mopar has just recently started calling them 'PowerWagons' again....
Anything prior to (81'? Is that right guys?) is a 'PowerWagon' ... After that (Till they got smart again) was a 'Power Ram' .... It all means 4x4, one way or the other... ;)
Anyway, what's an ECU?
Electronic Control Unit .... It's the 'computer' (Not really, but for lack of a better term ..) for the ignition. Electric/Electronic ignition...
Also known as the EICU (Electronic Ignition Control Unit)...
'Black Box'... 'Orange Box' ... 'Chrome Box' .... 'Gold Box' ......
Is that about as clear as mud now?? :D :D :D
I replaced the resister but only after replacing
the coil, so I'm wondering if it is possible that
I fried the new coil with the old resister if the
old resister was bad?
Did it run for a little bit and die? The whole reason for the ballast resistor even being there, is to drop the voltage going to the coil and the ECU.. Neither was meant/designed to run at a full 12-13.8 volts, OTHER than starting the engine. You get FULL voltage when cranking/starting the engine, then when you let back off the key, the ignition system drops to somehing like 9-10 volts (Ballast resistor..)
But yes, it's POSSIBLE you could have cooked the coil/ECU, but I kinda doubt it... When the ballast resistor goes bad, they GO BAD... As in NO voltage gets thru whatsoever. (Us old/older Mopar guys ... We always kept a spare in the glovebox.. ;) )
Quote:
"The spark control computer nuisance box could have gone bad"
What is that? ...the ECU? They have computer chips in 1985
Kinda' sorta' .... VERY primitave shit. I'm NO expert on that stuff, so I'll leave that to those with bigger brains than mine.... :D :D :D
86_custom
03-20-2008, 11:51 AM
Its a black box and should be in your driver side fender, it was the next version of the lean burn system. I dunno how it works but it completely controls your ignition, advance and everything. When there running they run fine but they will also just completely shut down without warning leavin you S.O.L. Its typical 80's emission device bs and there are a few ways around it. The MP electronic ignition you can get which is just a new Vaccum advance dist and the post points pre lean burn ignition box and then theres the GM HEI conversion which bypasses the ballast resistor to, ask bherder about this he did it and is fairly happy with it, I think.
