I'm looking to buy a 1st gen dodge from a buddy of mine, but when we brought it to his place last week to take the utility box off we parked it beside the shop and went to get another truck. When we went to start it again it wouldn't start, like it wasn't getting any fuel. We had to change the battery when we picked it up, it had been sitting since Feb. It started right up, we also didn't have the key for it so my buddy had a key out of a 85 that he got to work. Now my ? is would the key have anything to do with it?, or is there something else. I thought it might have something to do with the fuel shutoff. I don't know for sure what year the truck is but it is a 1st gen 4x4 3/4 ton with an auto. We can get it to crank but it won't start. Any ideas would be great.

 

Check to make sure the wire to the fuel shutoff solenoid hasn't come off and has a good connection. I suppose it's possible the key is causing a problem but if you can crank it with the key I doubt if it wouldn't also power the solenoid.

Edwin

 

First, as Edwin said, check the fuel shut off soliniod and make sure you have a good conenction and a wire hasnt come loose. Its located on teh rear side of teh injection pump directly underneath where teh fuel lines attach...


Change the fuel filter regardless...

Crack a fuel line at teh injecotr and see if you have fuel coming out( WARNING DO NOT LET HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SPRAY DIRECTLY ON YOUR SKIN, THIS CAN BE FATAL)

Start tracing the fuel back thru the system until you find where teh blockage or problem is....

 

Prime the fuel at the lift pump.

 

Hotwire the fuel shutoff solenoid to the +side of the battery and crank. This will eliminate all electrical gremlins if it fires up and you can work from there.