98 dodge ram rotates but wont start.new plugs cap rotor good. battery was drained nothing left on. got new battery has more cranking power and volts still wont start had alternator tested at autozone first time failed second time passed help!

Does the coil have power and a switching ground signal to it ?

If you are getting spark to the plugs and fuel spray, and you have compression and the spark is at the right time, you should have explosion.
Is it possible the valve timing is off - timing chain issues ?
Are the new plugs fuel-fouled ?

could it be your crank sensor?
having a similar problem with a dakota. dodge tells me it may be the dist, but seeing as how you replaced it with a new one it could be that the sensor needs replacing

My guess is all the parts you replaced,had nothing to do with the starting problem. Certainly not the plugs,wires,cap and rotor. If you had spark,even while cranking,you would move on to something else. Check out the fuse box,especially any relays related to the starter or retained power distribution. What ever it's called on yours. You could use a wiring diagram,to speed things along.

I don't know about cadillacs but . I have a 98 dodge ram that did the same thing turn over but wouldn't start. it was the crank position sensor. $89 part. $100 labor cost. I hoped this helped..

Check this 1998 Dodge Dakota 2WD 3.9 liter V-6 VIN "X"



Good luck.

its getting moisture in the dist. cap change the cap /rotor and wires

First item you need to go after is the slow turning. have the battery charged and load tested. Once that the battery is verified as fully charged and good, put a volt meter between the two posts and crank the engine. voltage should not drop below 9.5V If it does, It is likely that your starter is worn out. If your distributor has a bolt that goes through an ear that is part of the distributor, you cannot adjust the timing. It is pre-set and controlled by the computer. Make sure you have the firing order correct and that you are indexing from the correct position on the cap.(turn the engine to tdc on the timing scale and rotor should either be pointing directly 180 degrees away from #1 or directly at it. Make sure you are getting spark and fuel when engine is cranking and it should start.

just replace your alternator and you will be fine also you might check any wires hanging around just to make sure nothing touching the body ok goodluck

These trucks have a problem with the catalytic convertor blocking the exhaust causing a no start condition, the three things you need to start fuel, spark and air. Try disconnecting exhaust in front of cat.