1st Gen. Ram - All Topics Discussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.

Non-intercooled 5speed...electrical issues

Old 08-13-2018, 01:32 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
lionarm85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Non-intercooled 5speed...electrical issues

Hello Everyone.

This is my first post. We got a "new" 91 Ram 350 5 speed Cummins, it was bought pretty much sight unseen, and delivered. I deleted the FSS yesterday and replaced the battery, and it instantly cranked and started.(shout out to the forum, I got all the info to get it running from here). When the truck started I saw a little puff of smoke in the area of the fusible links. I killed the truck mechanically. It wouldnt start back. I replaced a bad fusible link(jumpered it temporarily, and I can get the truck started). Here is where I get lost in the all the forum( I tried searching stickys,etc.)
This is what I have determined so far:

NO speedo
FUEL gage not working
VOLT meter reading low(even with charged battery)
NOT Charging
NO AC(could be unrelated)
NO Headlights( brights work, they are the LED converted lights)
Turn signals work but no running lights

So I have determined from stickys that the NON-intercooled Manny trucks have different electrical and I am kinda lost where to start( or rather where to continue).

Questions I have: Where would the PCM be? I see a voltage regulator, and it looks new.
Does any one have a wiring diagram for the fusible link pig tail, so I know what does what?( I checked them with DMM)

This truck is for my Dad's property in NC, and for him to haul stuff to the woods, so he cant get stranded... Any help is appreciated.
Old 08-13-2018, 03:51 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
oliver foster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: vermont
Posts: 6,314
Received 2,372 Likes on 1,568 Posts
You have a '91.0.
That would have no PCM.
Just because the voltage regulator looks new does not mean it is good. The aftermarket versions of those are pretty bad.
Buy a few from the parts store, or order a Mopar one.
The following users liked this post:
mknittle (08-13-2018)
Old 08-13-2018, 04:25 PM
  #3  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
lionarm85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Awesome! I’ll do that. Should that fix my other issues as well?
Old 08-13-2018, 05:40 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
oliver foster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: vermont
Posts: 6,314
Received 2,372 Likes on 1,568 Posts
Nope, but that seemed like the biggest issue you have for a round the yard style truck.
I figured that would save you a lot of time and head ache.
The rest may just be just working through the wiring carefully.

The LED head lights, if not done right, are known to cause other running / turn signal weirdness.

The rest could be bad, missing, loose connections or grounds.
The following users liked this post:
mknittle (08-13-2018)
Old 08-13-2018, 06:10 PM
  #5  
Registered User
 
thrashingcows's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Prince George, BC
Posts: 7,231
Received 1,331 Likes on 862 Posts
A non-IC 91 does that have an electric speedo? If it does then could be a bad VSS, or parts related to that. Grounds should be pulled and all surfaces sanded to bare metal them a dab of dielectric grease and reinstall. Check the fuse panel for blown fuses that might fix a couple of your issues.
Old 08-13-2018, 06:19 PM
  #6  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
lionarm85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Grounds, grounds, grounds. Sounds like my old rx7s.... I know the struggle.
Old 08-13-2018, 08:42 PM
  #7  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
lionarm85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Anybody know what these are?
Old 08-13-2018, 09:14 PM
  #8  
Registered User
 
edwinsmith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Commerce, OK
Posts: 4,226
Received 1,036 Likes on 761 Posts
Circuit breakers.
Old 08-13-2018, 09:15 PM
  #9  
Registered User
 
nonrev's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: NE Wa
Posts: 755
Received 340 Likes on 239 Posts
They are a circuit breaker, they come in different amperage's kinda like a fuse, I would definitely trace them out to see what they are running. Are they being fed from the battery or from a keyed source?

Dang, Edwin you beat me to it
Old 08-14-2018, 10:58 AM
  #10  
Registered User
 
thrashingcows's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Prince George, BC
Posts: 7,231
Received 1,331 Likes on 862 Posts
Those most likely have something to do with trailer brakes and trailer wiring is my guess.
Old 08-14-2018, 04:53 PM
  #11  
Registered User
 
dodgenstein's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Hamilton,MO
Posts: 764
Likes: 0
Received 38 Likes on 29 Posts
Anyone else notice the ring terminal bouncing around without a nut? All that corrosion isn't a plus either.
Old 08-15-2018, 02:52 PM
  #12  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
lionarm85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The wire is cut going to that terminal, and I pulled the plastic standoff, and behold: a nut. Lol. Why?!?

I’m still trying to figure out headlights and running lights. I disconnected the headlights and I still don’t get running lights. Switch? Or which fusible link?!?
Old 08-15-2018, 07:47 PM
  #13  
Administrator
 
maybe368's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 5,226
Received 562 Likes on 411 Posts
I would suggest that you just do a fuse replacement on the fusible links and solve that problem forever. Here is what is in the sticky:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...9/#post1407509

Search NJTman posts, I believe that he has a write-up that is another way of doing it...Mark
Old 08-15-2018, 08:57 PM
  #14  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
lionarm85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I may end up doing that. I ordered a head light switch and voltage regulator from Rockauto(can you smell what the rock is cookin?). The multifunction headlight switch looked pretty toasted. Not to mention former owner apparently ran the running lights on that circuit breaker that had the plastic standoff and cut wire.

Another question: when the ignition is off the fuel level reads a 1/4 a tank. I’m pretty sure the tank is full. With ignition turned on the gauge immediately pegs empty. Has anyone ever installed a new fuel sender that was wired wrong? If so, can I swap some pins on the cluster to remedy that vs tank drop?
Old 08-18-2018, 06:39 PM
  #15  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
lionarm85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Headlight switch didn’t fix the problem. Which color fusible link goes to the switch?

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Non-intercooled 5speed...electrical issues



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:24 AM.