84 Dodge Ram Van cranks but won't start

JSHANSON

MEMBER
1984 DODGE RAM

I have a 1984 Dodge Ram 250 custom van with a 318 motor and 130000 miles on it. I can crank the motor over all day long but it won't start. It try's to start when I'am holding the key in the start position, it will catch for a second until I move the key to the run position, but as soon as I let go it dies. Replaced the ignition switch but it did no good, the same thing happens. It's getting plenty of gas and has good spark. It wants to start, sounds like it's going to but then nothing. Any ideas I've been fighting this for over a month! Please help!

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Power the coil positive terminal directly from the battery positive terminal and see what happens

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Saturday, May 19th, 2007 AT 5:53 AM

JSHANSON

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I did as you suggested and ran a line from the positive battery terminal to the positive side of the coil. It worked, started and ran but when I turned the key off the motor kept running as I'm sure you new would happen, pulled the wire off the battery and it died. Is that telling me that the ECU is bad or something else? I can't thank you enough for the help, I'll give you my first born for payment. I'll gladly donate when I get my next paycheck on the 1st. Thanks a million!

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Sunday, May 20th, 2007 AT 9:56 PM