98 12valve has a bad solenoid near the injector pump? im assuming this is the fuel shutoff solenoid ? Anyone know what a new one cost is .I read about hooking up a cable .Mine wont start unless you turn key to run and get under hood and pull solenoid up .Is this common? my other truck is a 24V and its been years since i owned a 12V.

 

yes, this is common. before you spend the money on a new solenoid replace the relay on the firewall. generally these will go out. a new solenoid will cost 150-200 dollars and a relay will run 20 dollars.check here for the relay. he ships quick and has decent prices. http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm

 

where is the relay? in the box on the fender? I looked on the firewall and see know relay .There is two right above the valve cover ,but thats the only ones i see.

 

Im assuming the ones mounted over the valve cover are the right ones. one small and one larger one. Well the small one is blank ,when i say this i mean nothing is pluged into it? should there be?

 

i'll have to look at my truck today to be sure, you could just follow the wires plugged into your solenoid though.

 

make sure you check the battery terminals as well. if one of them is loose, the truck will still crank but the solenoid will not lift up. just a thought, this happened to me once.

 

'98s only have one relay


An even more likely cause of your problem that is even easier to fix is a corroded blue wire at the driver's side battery positive terminal.
Many times the wire is corroded all the way though under the insulation where you can't see it.

Never replace the solenoid unless it's visibly burnt up, it's probably the most needlessly replaced item on a 12 valve. The solenoid is a simple well made item that should easily last the life of the truck

 

Been there done that. I'll bet thats his problem too.

 

I looked at the battery and i cant find a blue wire? This is a cab chassis if that makes any difference. I looke dup the VIN and it says this is a 99 model title says 98 and inside door says 97 .It is a 12valve but do the 97-98 have a fuel terminal under the hood like my 02? Anyways back to the relay i took it off and cleaned it hooked it back up. If i turn the key on it will not move. If i turn key on and by hand pull solenoid up it will stay and truck will start.Turn off and it drops back. Solenoid has red -white-black wires. Does anyone know what wire white or red should have current?