Had the same problem all thru last winter the truck sat while I tried to suss out the problem. From all my reading I finally decided it must be a bad Crankshaft Position Sensor. The access to that distributor and the sensor behind it had me inventing all kinds of new cuss-words! Took it over to the mechanic ( towed ), and he tackled the repair as it was just too cold for me. Afterward he asked if I had played around with the Distributor at all....well, yes, I had put in a new rotor and installed new wires... he smirked and said it appeared I hadn't re-installed the Distributor Cap squarely onto the base ( roundly!)...still smirking, and $300 richer, he told me to stop playing around on the innards, and bring my problems to him... So $100 Tow Job, another $120 for the Crankshaft Position Sensor, and the Mechanics $280 charge for the install and work-up... and now I wonder if my screwy Distr Cap install, crushed a wire as in your situation? Ah well... still Livin' and Learnin'......Great video ..glad it worked out for You!

I congratulate You on your wisdom , abilities and determination ! Great repair and equally great video , thank you .

I’m glad to find this video, I’m not a mechanic by trade but I love working on my cars and my 01” Ram 1500 has the same issues and I got frustrated until now, you my friend gave me hope. I will do just that, thumbs up on your patience. Thanks a lot!!

Your patience is astounding, had it been me the truck would be in the bottom of Lake Erie, Great Vid, Great Info, thumbs up!!

For making a program to help others you were blessed in fixing half the problems!!! Good deal!

Wow I’m so stoked to have found this. I’ve watched so many videos and tried everything as my truck is 98 Ram doing exactly same symptoms cranks and no ignition -fuel pump & gauges dead 💀 Going to pull distributer coil wire 1st thing in the morning. I wish I had 1/2 the patience you have but I didn’t give up at least 😆

I'm so impressed by your patience, Great video and I'll be doing some checking on my 20001 dodge ram with the same proble.

Thats the best problem solving video I have seen in a long time good job. And great video in breaking down the steps to fix that issue.

Excellent diagnosis skills and patience to find this!!!!!

I have a 2001 Chevy Tahoe, but miss having a van, and was thinking of a Ram Van 1500, but hear a lot of horror stories about Dodge. This video is sure educational! Thank you Allen.

Hi, this is the kind of video I like to see. Very good job!!

Great video, thanks for taking the time to go thru how you troubleshoot everything and came to your conclusion!!

Glad you fixed it. It’s frustrating trying to fix someone else’s mistake!

Wow, thankfully your persistence and wisdom helped you out!

Alan, my name is Richard I recently put in a 360 CID eng in my 98 Durango what I'm about to tell you is may sound screwy as all get out but that part you replaced on the distributor does t feed your spark to the Distributor it completes the circuitry to your fuel injector timing on relation to the ignition spark and timing. And with that there is a plate on the back of the engine that the torque converter attaches to. That plate has a lip on the outer rim that has 8 evenly spaced cut out holes with a senior attached to the back toward the passenger side of the engine. This is what ignites your spark plugs from the coil. This is the screwiest systm but it work. For it to all work right it has to be perfectly timed, no varieties. It's the screwiest system I'd ever seen but just so you know Chrysler wasn't the only company to use this design.

Great video brother I really appreciate it exact same issue that I'm having currently I have a 98 4x4 as well crew cab Laramie and it had exact same issue crank no start no spark no fuel no gauges supposedly the guy I bought it from said that he did a "toon up" to it which was very poor toon up because all the spark plugs were very different from each other not even the same brand and the spark plug wires were old and crusty and dry rotted! I swapped the cap on it but I did not check for that wire but I'm going to check for it now thank you for your detailed information

Man nice work and I’m glad you did this video because I’ve got the same problem but I’ve just rebuilt my motor and now I have absolutely no spark new distributor and wires and coil and I put the cap on and everything else but it’s got to be around the same area that is causing my problems so I’m very very thankful for this video man thank you

Great troubleshooting Allen,by the way if the truck runs but the gauges don't work,try resetting the trip odometer. Found that one on a forum a week after I bought my 98.Cheers ,all the best.Thanks for the vid.

Good job buddie well explained to the detail of ur best knowledge as at thst tone keep up the simple explanatiom

Good God man !!! This video sums up all you need to know about the dodge ram 1500s' . Power steering didn't work , it was my water pump. Transmission didn't shift into high, it was my throttle sensor. Heat gauge didn't work, it was my coolant sensor. Now if the truck dont start , it get out and kick the tire because with a dodge 1500 ... you never know !

As so may others have said, your patience and logic are amazing. Thank you, sir.

Great job , I'm working on a 1998 sebring convertible. No start condition, I have ignition fire, but no fuel pressure. The new pump runs when ignition is switched on, runs for a couple seconds, but does not supply pressure when in start or run position. It will start and run with starting fluid. So I have to track down the short, asd is possible. Fun, fun, thanks for posting this, it gives me hope I can find the problem. The car will actually start and run occasionally, so in know it's fixable. 👍👍🏁🏁

I so have this problem right now. I actually bought the distributor pick up and they crank position sensor. But im gonna swap the d. pick up tmrw and see what happens. Nice thorough vid! Thanks!

My hero. Why I couldn't find your video until now, is beyond me. 2 weeks ago I would've loved to found it. One of the best ever. No lie. Thank you.

Great job for figuring that one out, now I've got a problem similar with my truck, thanks for the video its going to help with my problem.

Thank you for making the vidio it help me fix my problem....

i Had a computer failure this summer that cost me 1 month of work, all of my summer profits from mowing lawns. if you dont hear the fuel pump prime you should not crank the engine and burn up your starter and battery, the instrument panel does need to be active and the needles have to return to their previous position for the vehicle to start. I was getting randam stalls while driving on the highway, streets, boulevards, pulling my trailer with all my gear....highly dangerous. after disconnecting the battery for 5 minutes, the vehicle would arbitrarily start, I dont know why that was, the wait times between battery disconect and successful ignition were longer as the problem got worse and I guessed that the computer was bad, and had a new engine computer programmed and delivered, and it has worked. had it been the distributor cap, I would have never gotten to that, glad you went through your steps and detailed your thinking. 2nd gen dodges are good trucks that make good power and are relatively easy to work on compared to everything else out there.

🎉🎉 thank you for the video .. well explained..

Thanks for the great tutor ,sure did a great job a tracing the problem . excellent job.

Hell yeah now I know where to start on my truck !!

Thanks I learned a lot watching your video , my truck has the same problem. I think I can fix now.

Awesome Allen, Terrific!

me gusta tu forma de explicar grasias por tu tiemo

99 24v cummins. Didnt run for 2 weeks after I nearly chopped my leg off. I get around to running it. Dead batteries. Replace those. Crank no start. Replaced the fuse that you were talking about (check both under hood and kick panel) started right up

great video. I also have Canadian version-98 Dodge Ram-318

What a great job thank you

Good job sir!!

Great video 👍

Thanks. Had same problem. The book calls the part a cam sensor but the parts store call it a coil so that was frustrating going back an forth to the store. I disconnected every sensor one by one until I found the one that was disconnected that made the problem go away. That's the bad sensor which happens to be the coil.😊

Awesome video ! I have a 2001 dodge ram .. and I'm thinking the fuel pump is clogged .. but I'm just watching vids for all possible problems that it could be. My gauges work , my truck turns over . But no start. We shall see what the problem is in due time.

Great work, thanks!

I believe that shorted your 5 volt reference to ground which feeds a lot of sensors.

Good video bless up!!

my truck is doing the same thing haven't worked on it yet but thanks for info

Congrats on finding the problem and fixing it. We had same problem, crank but no fire. CAB garage moved the fuel relay outside fuse box. Over $850.00 later we get truck back but nothing in rear and center console works. I will troubleshoot in tomorrow when I have light outside. I am excellent troubleshooter in wiring and fuses. SO tomorrow I will look at fuses for inside the cab and modules and ASD too. I have another question for the group does anyone know how to shut off tire pressure system? We don't use those and its a pain when you start the truck. Thanks

Yes indeed bro I'm the same problem. I'm going to check it out and see if that's what is causing me the same problem. Big 👍👍👍 and new subscriber to the channel my friend.

That pick up is the van position sensor pick up, so that makes sense, mine the pump into come on until to crank it, hen it makes fuel pressure, runs fine otherwise tho

Thank you!!!! 🙏

Makes you wonder sometimes how long some issues have been there but haven't made themselves known.

Pick-Up Coil/Also..Take Black Electrical Tape & Wrap Those Wires To TPS Sensor..Rain Water Will Cause Them To Go Out...I Replaced 5 In Two Years Before I Learned About This Know Problem..Wrap The Last One Rain No Longer And Issue. When TPS About To Go Out..Truck Will Idle Really High & Idle Back Down & Start Cutting Off At Red Lights Or When Making A Right Turn..Sometime You Want Even Make It Out The Drive Way Before It Cuts Off...

Thanks man you made alot more sense than 50 other people ive talked to im having the same fucking problem as you in my 1998 dodge

I'll be damned the pick up coil, I'm going to go give that a whirl right now I'll let you know what happens, thank you I was even thinking pickle coil over from the get-go and I just never even went to it but I want to go to it right now and see thanks a lot brother! :-)

Who ever mashed the distributor wire should be beaten severely about the head and shoulders

ecu fault, purple and white wire to cell phone charger 5v 1 amp to live idle control ,preferrably to a switch. Replace ECU. probably in need of reflow (solder joints). truck will start with power to 5v rail.

Thanks !!

Thanks bud I'm going out and give it a try now I've been trying everything hopefully this works.. Travis Oiler

I’m having no start condition on my 1995 Dodge Ram 1500. I will check the distributor cap and rotor and the wiring inside the distributor thanks for your help.

Sometimes it's the crankshaft position sensor also it works the same way as your problem

My guess is that JTEC stand for “Jeep Truck Engine Controller” (back in the day, all Jeeps and Pick up trucks were designed in the same building in Plymouth Rd, Detroit Michigan

Keep an eye on the plunger switch under the battery it's like the light switches on the doors that turn on your interior lights when you get in or out of the vehicle. It's a safety switch it'll cut off the ignition in case of a roll over or anything where the battery is dislodged or ejected.

I'm having the exact same problem. Except my issue is fuel I can pour fuel in carb and will start . I have no power to fuel pump. Every other symptom is same . can ya help me trouble shoot if ya got time ?

my 2000 ram 1500 quit running, checked fuses and relays "ggod" if I poor gas in the manifold it fires off when cranking. does it mean positively it's the fuel pump?

RE: Jtec pulled this explanation from another site....The JTEC controller was in Chrysler products from 1996 to 2004. It controlled the 3.7L V6, 4.0L l6, 4.7L V8, 5.2L and 5.9L V8 and both the iron and aluminum 8L V10's in the Ram truck and Viper, respectively. It's in a lot of vehicles still on the road.

Thanks

JTEC is the company that made the PCM computer module also I had changed that distributor wire named pickup coil sensor but turns out The Pcm computer was bad when I pulled truck to the mechanic shop. I saw another video which advised if there is no check Engine Light and power voltage and ground is ok at the PCM wires it could be bad. I even changed distributor cap, rotor ,ignition coil,Pickup coil sensor. Hope this helps someone.

Hey man do you know why the asd relay would be clicking about once a minute with truck running and with the truck off, it dims my lights and bogs the engine. But the truck starts and runs fine it just bogs down about once a minute

Was there a no bus light I'm having that issue plus this one

Hey bro, I have put a brand new ignition coil,cranking position sensor.a New distributor and new fuel pump and it still won't crank.what is my problem

Make sure you use a factory mopar replacement crankshaft sensor or you will still have problems

Question did you check if you had spark from the cap to the wires? having issues with a 92 ram

Well mine dodge ram van 5 2 just makes a relay clicking all over I had been replaced all them and still the same sound

jtec is the type name for the ecm / pcm/main computer control module with the three grey white and black connectors

I am not a fan of doing electrical diagnosing, and Chrysler products are the primary reason. The last one I worked on was an '05 Caravan with "Transmission issues". Turned out to be the Alternator, and I only found that out, entire accidentally...

i need your help, I have the same o2 connector as in your video, 4 wire, 2x whites for elements and black/gray for signal. I been getting 0141 and 0138 which points to the downstream o2, and i replaced it and still getting hi volts b1s2. i checked the voltage on the truck side, as in your video, and im getting 13v for the elements and 4v for the signal. my upstream sensor is working fine and no other CEL codes have returned its always 0138 and/or 0141

JTEC is the engine control computer.

It's called a distributor pickup coil

Yes it was good ❤

I have a 94 ram. And the security system tricks me ever so often it shutdown for no reason. Usually when I come out from the store .

Good morning Sir, I hope this brief missive finds you well… I have a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. I have similarly the same issues you demonstrate on your Truck… I keep getting the same code: P1388 and what’s happening is that I will be driving down the road and the engine just shuts-off. And I have to wait between 1/2 -1 hour and 99. % of the times it stars and I can keep moving until it shuts off … any recommendations ? Would greatly appreciated Thank you very much in advance, Fernando

JTEC is a Johnson Thermoelectric energy converter. I remember something about this, but I can't remember what it was. I have forgotten more than I will ever know. I googled it. Matter of fact I google the shit out of just about everything. Maybe that's why I can't remember anything, it's all there in google.

Jtec is the pcm my guy

Same problem on my 2500 diesel

I'm having the same issue but my fuel pump kicks on and I hear a double clicking sound coming from the fuse box in the engine bay what should I check.

What's going on here? The new generation RAMS with Magnum engines didn't have distributors......has this truck had an older first gen. engine installed?

JUNK TRUCK IS TRUE

This is a one-in-a- million problem that you had encountered how would you possibly think other people at least enough number of people would have the same problem as to Merit making a half an hour video and talkin Tech talk most weekend mechanics couldn't understand in a million years. Oh and what the heck

My truck give P0443 by any cause you have one idea?

JTEC....jeep truck engine controller

where are you at? I need you in virginia beach

JTEC = Jeep Truck Engine Controller THE COMPUTER

Ok so recently did cab swap on my 97 to an 01 cab. Kept all my wires plugged everything back in no start. Cranks no start. Changed the coil and crank sensor brand new battery still nothing. Relays are good but won't connect to obd2 reader. When I try to start it my battery and oil pressure gauge works that's. I'm lost

I just bought a 98 Dodge 1500 3.9. I replaced the transmission, crank sensor, plugs and wires. It will not start. It cranks. It started with no problem before hand. Diagnostic testing comes back "Automatic shutoff" ??? I'm lost. Any suggestions

Man I change everything an im still not getting spark

Pick up coil

jesus im falling asleep listening to this man, just get to the point and what to replace

Jtec stands for Jeep truck engine for the

01 1500 5.2, Replaced Cap/Rotor/Pick-up, Plugs+wires, Coil, Crank Sensor, TPS Sensor, Battery is not even a year old. annnd Still Crank, no start!!! Wtf????

Serial killer

Jtec = computer

I can't believe I wasted 20 min of my life listening to your blog. U could of made a 2 min video to help us, not ramble on for 20 about what the problem wasnt