[truckmen]

Hello all,

I've been working on one of my Rams. This one is the '96 1500 4x4 with 318 and A/T.

I'd not been able to start this truck for years and thought it was the fuel pump. Well, after dropping the tank and checking, I found out that the pump worked fine. Yes, a lot of work to find out that the pump was fine and learned a lesson that we should check the easier and more-obvious issues first. At least I knew that the tank was clean and all worked.

I DID notice however that rust had built up along the metal framework of the pump unit thereby causing the sleeve to not function properly (ie) slide up and down with the level of the fuel in the tank. I wire-brushed the metal where the screws holds the sleeve together and I believe I fixed that (possible) problem.

Once back together, I had my helper (my wonderful, understanding wife) disconnect the fuse under the hood for the fuel pump circuit and re-connect it while I was under the truck listening to hear the pump come on.

Interestingly, and knowing the fuel line was completely drained of fuel, I heard the pump kick on while she attached the fuse (yes, the ignition was on). The pump would actuate but only for ~1/2 second and shut off. I had her pull and re-attach the fuse. Each time, the pump would come on but again for only a fraction of a second. After doing this for several times, the tone of the fuel pump changed telling me that the line was filled and all air was out. I then proceeded to start the truck. It ran great and idled well.

Giving it gas, it seemed okay for approximately a minute or two. Then, the truck would begin "bogging" down and placing it in gear would stall. I then turned the ignition switch on and off perhaps around 6 times with approx. 10-second intervals effectively copying my wife's pulling-the-fuse trick. This would work and I would get the truck to start and again run great for around a minute or two. when the same trouble happens.

Can anyone tell me what I can do?

I do not believe I have a clogged fuel filter but have not checked it.
Could there be a fuel pressure sensor that might be malfunctioning? Would it cause these types of symptoms?

Is there anything else I can do?

Ralph

 

[ramvan2500]

Hello all,

I've been working on one of my Rams. This one is the '96 1500 4x4 with 318 and A/T.

I'd not been able to start this truck for years and thought it was the fuel pump. Well, after dropping the tank and checking, I found out that the pump worked fine. Yes, a lot of work to find out that the pump was fine and learned a lesson that we should check the easier and more-obvious issues first. At least I knew that the tank was clean and all worked.

I DID notice however that rust had built up along the metal framework of the pump unit thereby causing the sleeve to not function properly (ie) slide up and down with the level of the fuel in the tank. I wire-brushed the metal where the screws holds the sleeve together and I believe I fixed that (possible) problem.

Once back together, I had my helper (my wonderful, understanding wife) disconnect the fuse under the hood for the fuel pump circuit and re-connect it while I was under the truck listening to hear the pump come on.

Interestingly, and knowing the fuel line was completely drained of fuel, I heard the pump kick on while she attached the fuse (yes, the ignition was on). The pump would actuate but only for ~1/2 second and shut off. I had her pull and re-attach the fuse. Each time, the pump would come on but again for only a fraction of a second. After doing this for several times, the tone of the fuel pump changed telling me that the line was filled and all air was out. I then proceeded to start the truck. It ran great and idled well.

Giving it gas, it seemed okay for approximately a minute or two. Then, the truck would begin "bogging" down and placing it in gear would stall. I then turned the ignition switch on and off perhaps around 6 times with approx. 10-second intervals effectively copying my wife's pulling-the-fuse trick. This would work and I would get the truck to start and again run great for around a minute or two. when the same trouble happens.

Can anyone tell me what I can do?

I do not believe I have a clogged fuel filter but have not checked it.
Could there be a fuel pressure sensor that might be malfunctioning? Would it cause these types of symptoms?

Is there anything else I can do?

Ralph

I would replace the pump anyways. $125 is cheaper than having your pump die in the middle of nowhere and paying for a tow and then a pump (ask me how I know...)

If there was a fuel pressure sensor you would have found it attached to the fuel pump, but to answer your question NO! No fuel pressure sensor. I would replace fuel pump (highflowfuel.com) pumps around 125 and last very long. Now, if you do not want to replace the pump check to make sure you have around 40-43 psi at the rail. That is healthy pressure for these. If it bogs and makes some backfiring sounds in the exhaust it certainly sounds like a pump, that is what mine sounded like. Thing is mine was fine as long as I didn't go above 65MPH! Replaced pump, hangers, and all rubber gaskets. Cost was about oh 275 for everything, but you do it once and you do not have to worry about it for many many years (if you installed the pump correctly, pay attention to arrows on pump and tank).

 

[Lazarus Truck]

Ok, as far as the fuel-pump coming on shortly, that is normal. It is designed to spin-up to pressurize the system for starting. But it will not continue running until the PCM receives a signal from the crankshaft-position-sensor that the the engine is actually running. I know that the 95's have a "schrader" style valve on the fuel rail for pressure-testing, but I don't know if the 96's have them. That would eliminate the fuel-pressure question easily.

 

[truckmen]

That doggoned fuel problem

Hello and thank you for the replies.

I have parked the truck for the next month as I have to fly to work. I will get back to it in September and will probably take your advice and purchase the fuel pump.
Then, I will post results here.

Ralph