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'98 Dodge 3500 won't start... WHY?
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lydokane
New User
May 9, 2011, 5:26 AM
Post #1 of 7
(4652 views)
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'98 Dodge 3500 won't start... WHY?
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First off, thanks for creating a forum that is very easy to sign up and get started.
Here is my problem. I have a 1998 Dodge 3500 van. My registration says it is model 35B. It is a V8, 5.9L gasoline powered van. Currently it won't start. It will turn until the battery dies but will not fire.
I rarely drive it because of the poor fuel economy. I had to drive it about five or six weeks ago. I didn't really notice any problems driving into work. On the way home I noticed that it was very sluggish. If I floored the gas it would spit & sputter and almost stall. It would stay running but I had practically no "get up and go". If I lightly but constantly accelerated I could reach a speed of 50 mph or above. Back then I figured since I was low on fuel and it sat through the winter that maybe I had moisture in the fuel. I put about 5-7 gallons in it on the way home from work (less than 9 miles). I parked it and it sat until now. Now it won't start at all. It will turn and turn but won't fire. I took the dog house off and got to the air filter/carburetor. The air filter looked pretty good (keep in mind I put less than 500 miles annually on this vehicle). Since it had a carburetor I tried to pour a little fuel into the barrel to see if it would fire. Still nothing. I am not a mechanic by any means (obviously, or I wouldn't be here) but I suspect that either the ignition coil is bad or the distributor. What is the most efficient way to verify this? Am I even on the right track? If necessary I can provide additional info for the vehicle. Thanks in advance for any help I am to receive.
PR
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 9, 2011, 5:43 AM
Post #2 of 7
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Re: '98 Dodge 3500 won't start... WHY?
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/carburetor. The air filter looked pretty good (keep in mind I put less than 500 miles annually on this vehicle). Since it had a carburetor I tried to pour a little fuel into the barrel to see if it would fire. Still nothing.
This truck doesn't have a carb. it's fuel injected.
All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.
Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.
These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.
1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.
2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.
3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.
4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.
Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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lydokane
New User
May 9, 2011, 7:49 AM
Post #3 of 7
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Re: '98 Dodge 3500 won't start... WHY?
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Is there a difference between the truck and the van? The device under the air filter of my van looks like a two barrel carburetor. It is starting to look like I'm going to need a tow truck and mechanic.
Thanks.
PR
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 9, 2011, 8:11 AM
Post #4 of 7
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Re: '98 Dodge 3500 won't start... WHY?
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They haven't used carburetors since the early 80s
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Mr.scotty
Enthusiast
May 9, 2011, 9:23 AM
Post #5 of 7
(4625 views)
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Re: '98 Dodge 3500 won't start... WHY?
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That is called the throttle body, It does look kinda like a carb though.
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Your only as good as your tools!
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lydokane
New User
May 9, 2011, 10:20 AM
Post #6 of 7
(4619 views)
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Re: '98 Dodge 3500 won't start... WHY?
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A clear demonstration of my lack of knowledge of all things internal combustion. Thanks for your help everybody.
Here is an interesting development. I have actually started it. Judging by how quietly the engine runs it might have been firing all along. When I first got it to start I had to hold the gas pedal "just right" for it to start. When I got it running I had to hold the pedal so that it was running a high idle for about three or four minutes. Now it is running on it's own. I might drive it to the garage down the street from me anyway but I just wanted some opinions. What could I be looking at here?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 9, 2011, 10:28 AM
Post #7 of 7
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Re: '98 Dodge 3500 won't start... WHY?
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I don't know what to tell you. You're not telling us much. You could be way overdue for a tune up but you didn't post any mileage. You could also have some bad fuel if you don't drive it much. You could also have a fuel pump intermittently seizing up.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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