gas tank removal: '98 Ram SS/T

[hemi68charger]

Hey guys..
Well, it had to happen.. I think my fuel pump went south.. I can't start the motor and I hear no pump motor with ignition.. Sooooo, any experiences on removing tanks on 2nd generations? My particular truck is a '98 SS/T... I hear it's tricky, but can be done.. I figure I'm going to give it a try before I spend nearly $600-$1000 for one thing........

[Back N Black]

Have you checked the fuse ? fuel pump relay?

[hemi68charger]

Have you checked the fuse ? fuel pump relay?

Ah heck, there's one of those !!!??  hahaha... I guess I'll check.. Is it in main fuse box in the engine compartment?

[hemi68charger]

Found the problem, blown the fuel system 20A fuze..... Man, I'm glad I started from basics.... Now, I hope there's nothing deeper in the circuit that has caused the fuze to blow to begin with... Maybe a simple electrical spike and that's it....

Thanks to everyone for all your input........   Now, hopefully the fuze will last me another 135,000 miles......

[Todd Wilson]

Found the problem, blown the fuel system 20A fuze..... Man, I'm glad I started from basics.... Now, I hope there's nothing deeper in the circuit that has caused the fuze to blow to begin with... Maybe a simple electrical spike and that's it....

Thanks to everyone for all your input........   Now, hopefully the fuze will last me another 135,000 miles......

In a pinch on the side of the road you can swap it for the AC fuze.    Now the next question is why did it pop the fuze.    Those trucks supply a 12volt wire to your plug for your trailer. Certain trailers can get a 12 volt charge for their battery from the truck as you go down the road. The 12volt wire on the trailer plug is tied in to the fuel pump circuit!!!!!!!!!!!! So you can be going down the road and have a short happen in your trailer and pop the fuse and suddenly be stone cold dead. Most standard car trailers dont use this wire.

So onto the next thing. A chance the 12 volt wire came loose inside your plug and shorted out there. I had a problem a few years ago with my 95 and not being able to get trailer lights to work. We discovered a fuze blown and no known problems until we took the plug off and apart back at the reciever hitch. All the wires going into it are just long enough to fit and most were loose and one had come out. Retightened all the screws and everything was good to go.


Todd

[hemi68charger]

Well, back to square 2...... The fuse was a temporary fix and the deeper culprit showed it's face again.. This time, even with swapping out a new 20A fuse, the pump still didn't work. I even tried swapping out another relay, no go.. Not a sound coming from the pump.. Sooooooo, I yanked the tank last night... It really wasn't hard... I just studied the plumbing and understood the quick-connect fittings MaMopar put on the vent and main fuel line and the rest was easy.... Straight down............

Troy

[Todd Wilson]

How much gas was still in it? HEHE!   I fear that I am going to have to do this on my 95 one of these days. Its 12 years old with no problems. I have heard sometimes you can bang on the tank to get the pump to start again and maybe get it home but most of the time they just go dead and thats it. I hear Carter is the best replacement pump.


Todd

[hemi68charger]

How much gas was still in it? HEHE!   I fear that I am going to have to do this on my 95 one of these days. Its 12 years old with no problems. I have heard sometimes you can bang on the tank to get the pump to start again and maybe get it home but most of the time they just go dead and thats it. I hear Carter is the best replacement pump.


Todd

I had about 10 gallons in it at the time of removal, but now, there's nothing.. I siphoned the rest out and kept 5 gallons to put back in and the rest in my wife's '04 QC Ram.... Limited fuel storage capacity other than the other truck... Getting ready to put her back in right after lunch here....

Troy

[Steve P.]

I just helped a buddy do his fuel pump in a 94-96. I can't remember what year exactly.. Anyway, we lifted the bed with a cherry picker and replaced the pump.  CAKE...   One expensive pump though....