Dodge Ram 1500 Cranks But Won’t Start
Question
My Dodge Ram 1500 cranks but will not turn on and begin running. I do not know much about internal combustion engines but I do know it needs spark, fuel, air and compression to fire up and start operating.
Is there something specific that I should check in a situation like this? Does this mean the battery is defective or needs to be charged? Could the no-start issue mean the alternator is bad? How do I test the alternator?
I finally found a job and now my truck won’t start. It just cranks and cranks but will not activate and begin to work. My truck is a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 4.7-liter engine.
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3 years
2021-01-13T16:59:03+00:00
2021-01-13T16:59:03+00:00 1 Answer
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Answer ( 1 )
Dodge Ram 1500 Cranks But Won’t Start
It’s a frustrating feeling when you’re stuck on the road, but your Dodge Ram 1500 won’t start. No matter how many times you try to turn the key in the ignition, it just doesn’t work out. Sure, you hear some cranking but still don’t want to start.
In this situation, it’s much easier to call a professional mechanic to check on your pickup truck, but in some crucial events that you can’t contact one, it’s helpful that you have the proper understanding of the possible cause.
4 Major Reasons why Dodge Ram 1500 Cranks But Not Starting.
A normal engine needs a spark, fuel, compression, and power. There are many possible reasons that you can find regarding this scenario and here are the top 4 that’s common to determine.
1. Weak or No Spark
Primarily, lack of spark happens when the ignition is either damaged or has wiring and switch problems. But there are also things that you need to consider such as a bad spark, bad crank position sensor, or most probably a flooded engine.
If you suspect that it lacks spark, then check the distributor cap, or coil(s) and the spark plug wires. Use a spark tester in each spark plug wire to check for the proper arc.
If the engine is flooded, remove the spark plugs and let them dry for a while or you can replace them. You also need to recharge the battery.
2. Insufficient Fuel
The main reason for having an insufficient fuel supply is due to a damaged fuel pump or relay.
To identify if you have this issue, check the fuel pressure using a fuel pressure gauge. If there’s no pressure, then most likely it’s damaged. If it shows low pressure, then there could be clogging in the fuel filter or a kinked fuel delivery line.
You can also check if you can hear a fuel pump buzz as you turn the ignition on. If it doesn’t produce any, then your pump might be dead thus not allowing the fuel to reach the engine, or it might not be getting electrical power to the pump.
3. Low Compression
Your Dodge Ram 1500 engine might lose the proper compression in the cylinders if it happens to encounter overheating or having loose timing belts.
Use a compression gauge to check the compression of your truck. If there’s none, it’s best to call a mechanic to do a leak down test to look for possible leaks in each cylinder.
4. Power Supply Problems
A weak starter motor is the common possible culprit in this scenario. It uses a lot of amp in cranking the engine thus leaving not enough juice to switch on the ignition. You can notice it by hearing an unusual noise when you crank the engine.
Shut off the car and check for any blown fuse by looking on the wirings. Replace the damaged fuse and try starting the ignition. In case the fuse is in good condition, put it back and try starting the engine
You might also want to check on the battery with a multimeter. The voltage should be more than 10 volts.
Troubleshooting Tips
• First, make sure that the car is off and try applying a starting fluid into the engine. Then try to crank it once again.
• Avoid cranking the car repeatedly for it might cause the draining of your battery. Ideally, wait for a couple of minutes before trying to crank again.
• Check for the sensors and actuators as a variety of problems might be lying there.
• Always research for your car model since most of the specification varies from there.
• If in doubt, call an expert.