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Hoss360 · 01-13-2012, 10:31 PM

Just bought a 1998 Ram that wont crank. Its not getting any spark to coil and none of the gauges move when the key is switched on. It turns over fine and if I put an computer on it it reads "error check connection". Could this be the ecu? And I've replaced ASD relay. The guy I got it from left the ignition on for 3 or 4 days and it started this. Any ideas?

Matty · 01-14-2012, 06:50 AM

(01-13-2012 10:31 PM)Hoss360 Wrote: Just bought a 1998 Ram that wont crank. Its not getting any spark to coil and none of the gauges move when the key is switched on. It turns over fine and if I put an computer on it it reads "error check connection". Could this be the ecu? And I've replaced ASD relay. The guy I got it from left the ignition on for 3 or 4 days and it started this. Any ideas?

The PCU's in these trucks rarely go bad unless they are underwater or shorted somehow.

The first place I would go is to the ignition switch. My 01 CTD has a theft cut out switch, and if it's off, it has the same symptoms, cranks, no gauges, no start.

If that's not it, I would check all your grounds and fuse able links.

I have a digital service manual, if you need them, I can dig out the wiring diagrams

***The Boss*** · 01-14-2012, 08:46 AM

normally the cam sensor handle igntiion timing and if that is bad you get a no spark condition. however the error no connection message you are getting is telling me it could be the computer

Matty · 01-14-2012, 12:46 PM

Usually a bad PCM will throw a no bus code in the odometer box. I would make sure there is power getting to the PCM before I condemned it.

The dead gauges is a telltale sign of a bad ignition switch or a bad fuse or fusable link. If the PCM was totally cooked, the truck wouldn't crank, as the neutral safety switch is controlled by it.

Hoss360 · 01-17-2012, 09:57 AM

(01-14-2012 06:50 AM)Matty Wrote: The PCU's in these trucks rarely go bad unless they are underwater or shorted somehow.

The first place I would go is to the ignition switch. My 01 CTD has a theft cut out switch, and if it's off, it has the same symptoms, cranks, no gauges, no start.

If that's not it, I would check all your grounds and fuse able links.

I have a digital service manual, if you need them, I can dig out the wiring diagrams

I hate to ask you but could you please dig out that wiring diagram for me.

Matty · 01-17-2012, 10:03 AM

(01-17-2012 09:57 AM)Hoss360 Wrote: I hate to ask you but could you please dig out that wiring diagram for me.

Shoot me your email and I'll send you a PDF of the whole service manual. It's for an 01, but it should be close to your truck

Hoss360 · 01-17-2012, 10:06 AM

(01-17-2012 10:03 AM)Matty Wrote: Shoot me your email and I'll send you a PDF of the whole service manual. It's for an 01, but it should be close to your truck

joey_nettles@yahoo.com. again thanks alot man.

diesel2650 · 02-02-2012, 11:10 AM

I[/i]s the battery the same one that was left to drain for days with the igniton on? My buddy had worked on one with a dead battery he fully charged and the scaner could not find the pcm, the owner wanted a new battery and once it was installed the scaner was able to read the pcm to retreive the mil.