2001 5.2 (318) problems

[41husk]

I recently swapped 318s in my 01 ram.  Tuesday I was driving along and it just stopped running.  After restarting it sputtered a few times and acted like it was out of gas.  I checked fuel pressure 45 lbs checked tank, thought maybe the gas gage was wrong, over 1/4 tank filled it up and it ran fine all day yesterday.  This morning I had the same thing on the way to school.  I thought it might be the fuel filter.  I traced the lines and can't find an inline filter.  Any suggestions?   

[SeattleCharger]

hmmm, maybe the fuel injector relay?   acts like it wants to start, almost starts, maybe barely starts for a second or two, but not quite, ?  ya, resembles clogged fuel filter or not getting fuel for some reason,   I don't know how to test this part, but it might be the problem 

[firefighter3931]

Alan, you won't find an inline fuel filter because it is located inside the gas tank. 

The problem could be ignition related or electrical. Anything from a loose wire to a bad ground. Years ago i had a similar problem on a brand X truck and had a SOB of a time tracking down the problem. The solution wasn't something i had considered :

The oil pressure sending unit was bad ! Most newer vehicles will drop power to the fuel pump if the oil pressure is too low....the actual pressure might be fine but the switch is reading low and kills power to the pump. Took me 2 days to figure what the hell was going on. 



Ron

[41husk]

Thanks Ron,  I think it may be the fuel pump, it is running at 48lbs dealer tells me I need 48 to open the injectors and it normaly operates between 85-105lbs.  Problem is the pump is nearly $300, I sure hate to pull the tank and change it and that not be the problem.  I don't think the oil pressure cuts the fuel pump on this model because I wiped a bearing due to low oil pressure this summer.  I will check all the electricle connection before ordering the pump.  Thanks for your help.  Allen

[firefighter3931]

Thanks Ron,  I think it may be the fuel pump, it is running at 48lbs dealer tells me I need 48 to open the injectors and it normaly operates between 85-105lbs.  Problem is the pump is nearly $300, I sure hate to pull the tank and change it and that not be the problem.  I don't think the oil pressure cuts the fuel pump on this model because I wiped a bearing due to low oil pressure this summer.  I will check all the electricle connection before ordering the pump.  Thanks for your help.  Allen

Alan, those aren't cheap !  The pump when ordered from the dealer usually comes as an assembly....pump, sending unit and filter all contained in a cannister that drops in from the top of the fuel tank. I remember asking at the dealer about rebuilt/reconditioned units and they were available at a discounted price (i think ~ $200 or so)....might be worth checking into.



Ron

[41husk]

Thanks, i will look into that the dealer wants $410 for it and the local parts store has a new one for $260.  I am all for saving $60.

[41husk]

Wow after about $350 and much time spent the problem was a bad crank shaft position indicator it seems it is possible for this thing to malfunction intermitendly.  I hope that gets it I need my truck for Monster Mopar this weekend.

[firefighter3931]

Wow after about $350 and much time spent the problem was a bad crank shaft position indicator it seems it is possible for this thing to malfunction intermitendly.  I hope that gets it I need my truck for Monster Mopar this weekend.

Good that the problem was isolated....sometimes al these modern electronics can be a real pain in the a$$ to diagnose. 

Have fun at MM this w/e 



Ron