Dodge Truck

1988 Dodge Truck Engine Malfunction Happens always When warm 

truck will start up in any temp.has very good motor it will run for five mins. and shut down, then you half to wait at least an hour before it will start back up, I had it to two garages down here and several mechs. looked at it I need help bdh41@iolinc.net Bill Hawker - Romani

Hello, What engine do you have? What have the mechanics told you? Are you confident you have spark and correct fuel pressure when the no start condition is present?

Please advise,

Roger

After the truck shuts down and wont start there is no spark from the coil wire when you turn the engine over the truck was made on the 7-88- V6-3.9 Liter the garages that looked at the truck said they dident really know what the problem was, and that seems to be the same ,every where i take it. I drive it so far then it cuts out like a mile or so, then i half to pull it with a chain to get it back home or to the garage. I just went out and started up the truck before i started to type this, and it started right up, i gave it some gas it run very good it was tuned up two weeks ago you shut it down after it runs about five mins.and it wont start again for at least an hour, It run very good till I replaced the battery back in March then it seemed to have problems after that. the battery that was in it was a good battery but was on the last 6 months of it warr. so i just changed to not have any problems with it, but that seemed to start it all the truck is in very good cond.no rustand always ran very good I would take it on trips as much as 500 miles round trip in one day

Have you tried another coil? Does your present coil get HOT to the touch?

I'll get an ignition system schematic and look for suggestions to make.

More tomorrow when I can get to the data base I need.

Roger

I havent tryed a coil yet or felt the coil to see if was hot, I will try a new coil tomorrow and let you know happens it is the orig. coil

Thank you, it would be wonderful if it is this simple.

Roger

will be back tomorrow [redacted] romani

Great, I should be checking in regularly to see what you need.

Roger

Do you have a FAX number I can send a FAILURE TO START TEST document to? Will I need to use a cover sheet for the FAX?

Roger

due to servere stroms and lightning I couldn't work on the truck it is parked in the yard under some trees, I will put a coil on it on sat. no fax number just the email address and a scanner to send messages back and forth I will get back to you tomorrow Sat the 8th. [redacted] Romani phone # [redacted]

I'll be out of pocket today Sat. the 8th. My daughter graduates college today and we have family breakfast, graduation, pictures to take etc,. I'll check in later.

I have bad luck scanning documents to files for email purposes because a letter sized document is too big to attach for email. Every part of the document scans as image and my ISP denies attachments that large. I may have to type it. It won't hurt me.

Roger

I installed a new coil today the truck started and ran for a while but then it was like something wanted to shut down but it didn't, then it started 3 or 4 times and each time it acted the same like it wanted to quit but didn't .
[redacted] Romani

Interesting, now it runs with improvement (longer than 5 minutes) but acts like it wants to quit.

Here is the no start check list from Mitchell 1 Data Base:

IGNITION SYSTEM – 2.5l/3.9l/5.2l – 1988 DODGE PICKUP D150


FAILURE TO START TEST:


1. Ensure that battery voltage of 12.4 volts or more is available for cranking and starting systems. Crank engine for 5seconds while observing voltage at the coil positive terminal. If voltage remains at zero, refer to appropriate article in COMPUTERIZED ENGINE CONTROLS section.

2. If voltage is at or near battery voltage, but drops to zero after 1-2 seconds, refer to appropriate article in Computerized engine controls SECTION OF THIS MANUAL. If voltage remains at or near battery voltage for the entire 5 seconds, remove the 14-PIN Connector (key OFF) from the SMEC and inspect for damaged or spread terminals.

3. Remove lead to coil positive terminal and connect a jumper wire to between positive and coil positive terminals. Using the special jumper wire, momentarily ground terminal No.12 of 14-PIN Connector. See figure 2. A spark should be produced when ground wire is removed.

4. If a spark is generated, replace the SMEC. If not, use special jumper wire to ground coil negative terminal. If no spark is produced, repair open in wiring harness. If no open in wiring harness, replace the ignition coil.


If it quits running or won't start, the above may be helpful.

Keep me updated, I'll keep trying to help.

Roger

it is 1045 pm got a late srart today to much to do ,I will do them tests on it tomorrow and see what happens, I noticed a spark off the neg. batt cable when i remove it and put it back if that means any thing. When i changed the battery did that have any affect on the computer by removeing the cables at the same time? Will make theses checks and get back to you tomorrow [redacted] Romani

No, removing the battery connections shouldn't effect our work here. The spark at the negative battery terminal was likely the memory circuits of the radio, or clock, or similar device. Was the key OFF when you saw the spark at the battery? If it was...no worries.

Roger

Hello, Please let me hear from you.

Thanks,

Roger

I did some of the tests that you thaught might be the problem but nothing showed up, I dont have a presure tester to check the fuel line presure . Where is the fuel line gas filter located on this truck i need to check it several friends of mind has problems with there truck staling out and we sll get gas at the same place and so far two of them changed there filters and it solved the problem ,i really dont know but its worth a try [redacted] Romani

The fuel filter is usually on the frame rail near the fuel tank itself. I look for the fuel lines near the tank and follow their path toward the engine to find the filter.

Roger

this is more of a problem than i thaught it would be,I am going to find the fuel filter tomorrow if it dont rain, it has rained now for three days, i hope it will be the problem will get back with you tomorrow [redacted] Romani

All right. I'll be glad to hear from you. Good luck, Sir!

Roger

I will half to get back to you later I am leaving for the veterans hospital in one hour and will be there for about two weeks [redacted] Romani

I pray for a positive report and a will be here when you are ready.

God bless,

Roger

Coming up on a month since I've heard from you. Are you doing okay?

Roger

my husband is in a recovering nursing home trying to get back to walking and useing his arms he had a bad stroke which made three in one year.. he seems to be getting along ok for now but i think his driving is limited . the truck does not run i tryed to start it and it wont do nothing. [redacted]

Thank you for the update. I pray for an excellent recovery for your husband. No pressure from me, I just try to keep up with these questions.

God bless,

Roger