Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Help Please-It Died on me

[Dave Remillard]

Last night while on my way home from watching the Oregon Ducks get thumped by the Huskies I noticed what sounded like a miss fire from the truck, but I still had plenty of power. Finally it died on me. I can only descibe it as being the same as what happens when you run out of fuel. In my case, I did have plenty of fuel. I think one of two things have happened. First it could be the shutdown relay, or secondly the relay on the firewall. I put the key in the run position, but the shut down plunger didn't budge. I'm pretty certain that from threads I've read on this forum in the past, I can confirm if its a relay problem. . I did get it towed home, and the tow truck driver noted that he thaught the shut down relay felt hot. I touched it myself, but it was just warm from what I think would be normal heat from being attached to a warm engine block. . Just looking for other possible problems from you folks. BTW these was fuel in the fuel filter as I did push up on the bottom and got a good fuel flow down the drain tube. Thanks

 

[amsoilman]

Are you sure you had plenty of fuel?... ... ... ... . Had a friend that had the same thing happen. His fuel gauge was reading 1/4 taank left, but when it was towed to the shop, they found there was no fuel in the tank!







Wayne

amsoilman

 

[danandamy]

Easy way to find out, you can just pull up on the fuel shut off solenoid by hand and it should crank. Had a guy come by the store the other day with electrical problems on his Ram, he had a plastic tie wrapped around his solenoid holding it up. Had no gauges no electrical stuff period but he wasn't stranded, gotta love the ol' 12valvers If you hold up the solenoid and it won't go, it is possible that the lift pump is out. We often forget about that possiblity (unlike our 24valve brethren) because our ol' trusty mechanical lift pumps hardly ever faill.



dan

 

[Dave Remillard]

What I found So Far

I have proven that the fuel shut down relay is good. I then loosened the banjo bolt that holds down the line from the fuel lift pump, had the wife turn it over and no fuel spray. One of two things I think. The transfer pump, or possibly a fuel line problem. 116K miles on the rig wilth no fuel problems before. I did just service the pre-filter and I don't believe this could be part of the problem, but maybe one of you might know. I can go get a transfer pump in the morning, but would like to have some feed back if anyone has some input. I did notice in the last few days that it hasn't run as strong as before which also kind of points at the transfer pump. If I do need to change it, should I change the overflow vavle also, and if so, where is it located. I don't see any reference to it in the manual. Thanks

 

[bighammer]

It sounds like the lift pump if you really do have fuel in the tank.



Mine just went out at about the same mileage. It seemed to be running pretty well, but not quite normal. I thought it was the fuel filter and changed it. It would not prime afterwards. I ordered the pump and then worried I was hasty in the diagnosis. Once I got the old one out (while waiting for the new one) and saw the bad check valve, I was relieved.



A word of caution, another member pulled off their pump and lost the pushrod in the oilpan. Mine fell out as I removed it, but fell outside the engine. I'm not sure of the proper technique for removal (maybe somebody will chime in) but I wanted you to know.

 

[Bob V]

no-strokin, It sounds like you are on the right track. I have a '97 service manual if that would help. You can PM me and I could give you my #

Bob