Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Help please, wont "run"

[446]

I'm haveing a problem and need some help.

The truck has been running great. Went out today and it would fire but not run. finally started, then I shut it off and it would not start again.

I have power going to the relay and it will fire but will not stay running. If I turn on ignition and pull up the shutoff solenoid it does not stay up. If I put power to the solenoid at the harness it (the solenoid) works. If I put power to the brown wire to the relay, the solenoid works. I dont have gas guage but I can hear a little fuel when shake the truck (I "should have enough for another 100 miles unless my milage went down the tubes. I do have fuel in the filter drain. Also I moved around all the relays and fuses.

Any Ideas?

 

[Extreme1]

Originally posted by 446

If I turn on ignition and pull up the shutoff solenoid it does not stay up. If I put power to the solenoid at the harness it (the solenoid) works. If I put power to the brown wire to the relay, the solenoid works.

I'd start here. Try tying up the solonoid with a wire tie or tie wrap or whatever.



You might have air in the fuel system now if you ran much out of the filter drain.

 

[446]

ok

It stays running when I hold the solenoid up while someone else starts it. is there a start relay "and" a run relay?

 

[Missouri Mule]

446'

Yes on your fuel shut off solenoid there are two coils.

The fuel shut off relay controls them.

When you turn your ignition to run position the rod should move up a little (this is your hold up coil). I don't know if it there is seperate relay for run postion.



When you turn your igntion to start postion the starter relay comes into the picture (starter relay sends power to starter solenoid and fuel shut off relay). The start side of fuel shut off solenoid coil move the rod all the way up.



Use a test light and make sure you have power going to fuel shut off relay. If not back track it to the battery, the wire has a habbit of breaking near battery.



Re-reading your post it seems you don't have hold up coil side working but start side is.

I don't recall the colors of the wires on relay. Does brown wire go to the fuel shut off solenoid from the relay or does it go into the relay?

I would say off hand relay is bad. But check it out.



You will have main power wire and a ground then you should have two seperate wires that should lite up when ignition is in run and start positon. You will also have two hot wires and ground going to solenoid. When ignition is turned to run or start postion the wires going into relay will be hot and activate a switch(inside of relay) to allow the juice from wire from battery go to the solenoid.

Hopes this helps.

 

[446]

The brown wire goes from a conector on the drivers side firewall through the shut off relay to the shut off sol. as per another post. I disconect the conector and put power to the brown wire and the sol. engages(start?)and relay must also engage.

Well. I went out and tested it and I guess,

there are three wires to the shut off sol. .

black=ground

red=hold

white=start

With the ign. key on I have power to red

With ign. to start I have power to white

so I can deduce the worst and the solenoid is bad

anyone know if they are a dodge only item?

 

[Deezul1]

Take the relay to radio shack and match it for about $5. 00. Most of the time its the relay thats bad and its way cheaper than the solenoid which is seldom bad and cost around $200. 00

 

[illflem]

The solenoid is a very simple device that should last the life of the truck, many are replaced needlessly. About the only thing that will kill them is sticking starter solenoid that supplies the start side of the coil causing it to overheat. You probably have a poor connection or relay. You should also try cleaning the solenoid before replacing it. Be careful, they are known to fly apart when removed and lose parts. Piers and Cummins have the best deal going on a solenoid if you have to replace it.

 

[446]

problem solved.

I took the relay apart and found a burnt contact, twisted it a little and she fired right up. going to get a new relay today.

Thank you for the help and saveing me $200 or who knows how much if the dealer wold have done the work.

 

[Todd T]

while the truck is running, you should get yourself a new relay and starter contacts



take a few hours one weekend and replace them. once this kind of trouble starts, its a downword spiral until you throw all the parts at it that are above.



there are a few places you can get the contacts from. if you find they are too high or unavailable let me know. i have sourced them locally at half the cost for a new plunger and two new contacts of anyone around.



they are:

Diesel Electric Inc.

7306 N Broadway, St. Louis Mo 63147

314 389 8685



ask for Galin, he is the one i buy from.

your part numbers are;

ACES5292 (contacts) 2. 25ea.

NDE0536600443 (plunger) 5. 46ea.



BTW you can buy contacts in bags of ten for you industrious types



if you'd like, i can get them and mail them to you for no extra cost over shipping and the parts.