1991 Dodge Power Ram 50 - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

Did you check the vacuum lines and also unhook them when you changed the timing?

Hi, the starter is malfunctioning. It could also be a ignition issue as well, here is a quick starter test procedure that will help you troubleshoot a bit.

Check for 12 volts on the large wire attached to the top terminal on the starter relay. It should have battery voltage. If not, the battery, terminals or wire is bad.
Check the small wire on the solenoid for power when the key is in the start position. Remove the small wire on the solenoid and have a helper hold the key in the start position. Check the wire for battery voltage. If there is voltage, the starter is bad. If there is no voltage, replace the wire.
Check the fuse in the fuse box under the hood on the left fender well. If it is good, check the relay by pulling it out and checking for power at one terminal with the key off. If there is no power, the problem is in the fuse box between the fuse and the relay. If there is power, have the helper hold the key in the start position once again and check for power at another terminal from the ignition key. If there is power, the relay is bad. If there is no power, the starter circuit is suspect.
Check to see if there is power to the neutral safety switch if there is no power at the relay. Use the voltmeter to check for power with the key in start. If there is power going in, check for power going out. If there is no power going in, the security system or ignition switch is suspect. If there is power going in and none coming out, the switch is bad. If there is power coming out, the problem is between the neutral switch and the relay.
Remove the cover on the bottom of the steering column. Check the solid yellow wire for power when the key is in the start position. If there is no power, the ignition switch is bad.

Hello have you consider replacement of your ignition module located under the distributor cap and rotor also you should do a spark test with a spark tester spark can be present but a spark tester will prove if spark is good or not you can have spark but not enough to fire the engine.You will need to disconnect a spark plug wire and plug the spark tester in especially when it will not start this is the best time to do this test these tester usually sell for $20.00 to $30.00 dollars and look like this.

Starter contacts inside solenoid cover

there is no way to do it but on a Chrysler product you can see the codes by turning the key on and off three times while watching the check engine light. On the third time the light will start flashing codes.Count the first flash, wait than count the second flash. That should be your code.

Find leak and repair or replace parts as needed. If there is a hole in the tank there are kits for temporary repair.

it is hard to make a mistake when looking at a front seal leak so your diagnosis is probably correct. As for the repair it is pretty labor intensive as the transmission needs to be completely disconnected from the engine and at the very least slid back 8 inches or so (its easier to change the seal with trans completely removed) to acess the front seal to change it

my ram 50 starts just like any other vehicle, (no light switch pulling whatso ever), it sounds like somebody haas rewired something wrong or you have a loose connection and when you hit a large enough bump it cuts your power. Start it up and find a speed bump somewhere and drive over it enough to give your truck a jolt and see if it dies.

This is entirely normal, a fuel pump will run only for a few seconds so that it is primed. If it ran continuously without the engine running pressure would build up inside it and would probably cause damage. After if has run for a few seconds after the jey is first turned it will , basically, switch off and wait for a signal from the sensor, communicating that the engine is cranking at whick point it resumes pumping in order for the engine to start. Remember, the spark and fuel must coincide in the combustion chamber in order for there to be ignition, if you have no spark that may be the issue. You can check whether fuel is getting to the plugs by cranking over repeatedly and quigkly removing a plug. If the pump is supplying fuel the end of the plug may have some fuel at the tip or may smell of petrol/gas. You have to find out why fuel and spark are not coinciding essentially, in the combustion chamber. GOOD LUCK

The pump gets power from an engine control relay. The relay also powers the engine computer and the injectors. The relay gets power from a fuse and also from a fuseable link directly from the battery or starter.

Most parts stores have them roughly around $15.00 or you can order from http://www.haynes.com/repairmanuals/dodge/ram

low around 35psi to around 60psi high

Holley makes carby's for most engines so check with a speed shop/auto spares shop and check out the catalogue for one suitable for your engine.

sounds like you are losing pressure could be the exhaust or the piston rings or the head manifold leaking. if you have the engine pressure tested should tell you witch is the problem rings is mostly the problem on a work hourse engine. .

sounds like a clogged fuel filer

OMG!...so many, many things to start with!!...do the basics 1st...does battery turn over engine as fast as it should?...is it getting gas? is it getting spark?..pull a plug to c it itz wet with gas...if it is then you have an ignition prob (no fire to plugz) chek coil...

Ram instrument,,,,,,,,,, fell out? Reinstall and try again later.Thanks, Dale

Sounds like you covered everything you did. I would pull the dist. cap back off. Take a good look at your rotor. Does it screw down or push down on. If it has screws that hold it down, take it off and make sure that it isn't 180 degree out. some of the older ones will fit either way but it wont' sit just right. Let me know how you make out.

The only way to tell if you have a ring or valve problem is to do the compression test as it the best place to start . Once you have eliminated the compression from the equation then you can concentrate on why the cylinder is getting more fuel than the others. I would be checking for vacuum leaks for the rough running as an incorrect fuel / air ratio will cause missing. We cannot fix everything but we endeavour to point you in the right direction so that you can fix it.

there should be a rotation symbol cast into the headers or connecting rods, and follow that! should be obvious - !Good luck