2000 Dodge Ram Van Help

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

2000 Ram Van with the 5.2L engine.
When it rains, it won't start.
You can hear fuel pump run for a second till builds pressure and shut off, but no start.
Just crank and crank.
Let it quit raining and get about 70? outside and no problem.
Any suspect areas to look at?

 

[MikDee]

Re: 2000 Dodge Ram Van Help

Check your rotor, & distributor cap, for wear, cracks, or corrosion.

 

[ThumbPkr]

Re: 2000 Dodge Ram Van Help

Be careful of the screws when you remove the distributor cap and use neverseize on the threads when you replace them.These days there are certain things on the engine that don't get removed often and can cause problems if you don't think ahead about them.I use neverseize on sparkplug threads as well,especially on an engine with aluminum heads.It is not unusual to be doing a tuneup on vehicles with 100k on the original plugs in this day and age.Be careful with the plug wire routing on that engine as there is a TSB on it to solve misfiring.Ron G

 

[dolluper]

Re: 2000 Dodge Ram Van Help

Primary wire at coil,or wires at starter solenoid corrosion

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 2000 Dodge Ram Van Help

Check your rotor, & distributor cap, for wear, cracks, or corrosion.

Yep. Had a Ford Bronco II that did the same thing. Replaced the distributor cap and it started perfect all the time. Best of luck to you!

 

[SuperNova]

Re: 2000 Dodge Ram Van Help

Look at the connector for the coil wires as well. They have a habit of holding moisture, it'll be obvious if that is the case when you unplug it. If the fuel pump doesn't run while you are cranking it, then the crank position sensor or circuit is acting up. Have someone listen for it back at the tank.
--
Stan

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: 2000 Dodge Ram Van Help

Was cap and rotor.
Lot's of corrosion on the rotor and towers of the cap.
Put new on and started right up.
Also checked wires for any cracks, were none.
Checked all connections for corrosion, seen none.
Thanks All.

 

[MikDee]

Re: 2000 Dodge Ram Van Help

Glad it worked for you SBN, I should have also mentioned that I replace any of my orig. equip. style rotors, & caps, with a usually more efficient, less corrosion prone marine, or any good hi-perf brand cap, & rotor, with brass, or copper/brass composition, contacts, instead of the standard ordinary aluminum style. Plus, a light coating of diaelectric grease on the distributor terminals, & spark plug terminals, has a two fold purpose of resisting corrosion, and making it easier to remove them in the future, when replacement time comes. One more item I consider as better replacement maintenance, is a good set of stainless steel core suppression spark plug wires, such as Borg -Warner premium wires from PepBoys, or the like. For only a few dollars more, they provide metal, to metal, contact for a good dependable spark path in any weather, or any conditions, some vehicles, & boats come with this style as standard equipment, if you don't have them, I recommend them. By upgrading to these items, you should actually feel an instant increase in power, and dependability, I know I do. They're on all my vehicles, have been using them for years, Good Luck, Mike

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: 2000 Dodge Ram Van Help

Thanks Mike, next time I need to do anything to it, I will do the upgrades.
This van is only used on Sundays, so it don't get much use.
That is prolly part of the problem also.

 

[MikDee]

Re: 2000 Dodge Ram Van Help

Thanks Mike, next time I need to do anything to it, I will do the upgrades.
This van is only used on Sundays, so it don't get much use.
That is prolly part of the problem also.

Hey SBN, Your welcome, By the way, "If you don't use it, you lose it", I know all about that stuff, and I don't necessarily mean vehicles