I have a 1995 12 valve that wont start and is sitting at work. I started the truck up and drove to work this morning around 7:00 am. After parking it and going in to punch in, I was asked to go on a job and drive my truck. So, approximately 1/2 hour later and the truck wont start. I can do all the cranking I want with or without any pedal pushing and it wont start. It doesnt even sound like it wants to start.

I have ruled out fuel filter as I just drove the truck and it felt fine and the truck doesnt want to even cough. I also drained the water seperator the other day when I changed the oil.

This is not the first time it has happened. The last time was a week to today when the truck would do the same thing. At that time I thought it was either fuel availability issues so I tore everything apart and cranked away. Nothing happened until I messed around with all the fuel parts and then I cracked injectors and finally got the engine to cough and start up.

Any help is appreciated. I think it is either the fuel shut off solenoid as the truck doesnt want to even cough but it also might be the overflow valve but would the overflow valve work on and off like this?

Thanks a lot.

Douglas

 

First things first, wire up the fuel shutoff arm and try and start it.

The thing would run with a bad Overflow, just be down on power.

 

Wire up the arm? Is the arm below the solenoid? Should I turn the key first and then try?

Thanks.

 

After searching and searching and searching.... I think that it might be my shutoff solenoid. I will be heading over to work and checking it out in a bit. Thanks. Any more input is appreciated.

DK

 

Make sure the solenoid is pulled all the way up.

I dont have a pic of the solenoid but you can find it here:

 

NEVER REPLACE THE SOLENOID!!!
Likely nothing is wrong with it unless it is very visibly burned up on the outside.
The solenoid is probably the most needlessly replaced item on a 12 valve, expensive too. The solenoid is a very simple, sturdy device that will easily last the life of the truck. It either works or it doesn't, there is no such thing as one getting weak.
The problem is almost always a corroded blue wire from the driver's side battery or a bad relay on the firewall. The rubber boot that protects the solenoid can fall apart allowing gunk and rust to bind the solenoid, clean it up and replace the boot.
Relay and boot are availible for a good price here http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm

 

Thanks guys,
I will look into the relay and wiring. The solenoid was the issue. I turned the key and then pulled up on the plunger. It stuck and I was able to start the truck. So, now it is at home so I will look into it tomorrow after work. It has started up a couple times since it was at work, so it probably is a corroded wire or wires. Thanks and have a good night.

Douglas

 

The most important words................."The problem is almost always a corroded blue wire from the driver's side battery or a bad relay on the firewall. The rubber boot that protects the solenoid can fall apart allowing gunk and rust to bind the solenoid, clean it up and replace the boot.
Relay and boot are availible for a good price here http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm "

 

Ive seen guys replace the boot with a tye wrap and chunk of old bicycle tire tube.

 

When my solenoid gave up it was because ball and socket joint in the solenoid wore out and the thing fell apart into two pieces. The 2nd solenoid burnt up because of bad starter contacts. It's all been fixed now and troublefree.
Also as a reminder; Fix your KDP if u havnt yet. That's my public service announcement.

 

I've been running without any boot on the solenoid for almost 400k miles now. It is obviously not essential. About once a year I have to remove it, clean the plunger, apply a little dry lube and reinstall. Takes about 30 minutes. I have LarryB starter contacts, but the price of his boot is outrageous.

 

Well everyone,
I appreciate all the help. After doing what you said, I turned the key and pushed up the solenoid and it stuck. So I think that it is either the relay or this mysterious blue wire folks are talking about. So, can someone tell/show me where the blue wire is? I saw on the LarryB's website, that the blue wire is after the relay and near the battery but I followed the relay wires down into the fuse box and I ended there. I tried to get the fuse box apart but the bottom where all the wires go into (Where I think this blue wire would be) does not want to come up.

Any ideas or thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks again

DK

 

blue wire on mine hooks right to the battery. make sure it has a good connection. they like to corrode up inside the connector and loose connection.

 

The part of the blue wire, actually a fusible link, that causes trouble is right at the driver's side battery positive post.
Battery corrosion often eats the connector or can even eat way under the insulation where you can't see it.

 

I hope it's not the fuel shutoff solenoid, just found out today that Dodge wants over $500.00 for it. Cleaned connections on battery fixed my problem. http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm
Great link by the way.

Oorah!