1985 Ram Electrical Problems

TheBEAST · Aug 9, 2013

I'm new on the forum so any help would be appreciated. I have an 1985 Ram with a 318 that is a project truck for my Dad and I. The problems started when key switch shorted out and fried most everything. Have changed starter relay, ECM, ballast resistor, and distributor. We have battery voltage on the positive side of the coil and a weak spark from the coil, but no fire to the plugs. We are stumped, electrical problems are our weakness. What do you think we need to do now?

Thanks!

crazzywolfie · Aug 9, 2013

have you check and cleaned your ground connections?

TheBEAST · Aug 11, 2013

Yes we did with no luck.

crazzywolfie · Aug 11, 2013

TheBEAST · Aug 12, 2013

Thanks for the information. We already did that with no luck.

CoreyD · Aug 25, 2013

Maybe replace the coil?

PCA4208 · Aug 25, 2013

Try putting a fresh battery in it. I know in my 79' it wouldnt start worth a crap for a while, and I knew it'd get a spark at the coil. I threw in a new battery and it started up right away.

I also did a GM HEI conversion, and it works like a charm now, no ballast resistor or finicky MOPAR box to screw with things. I have a link if you would like it.

crazzywolfie · Aug 25, 2013

i would not recommend using gm parts to do HEI. it causes all sorts of headache. i personally find stock dodge ignition systems work just fine.

PCA4208 · Aug 25, 2013

All it uses is the HEI module. And good aftermarket performance ones are readily available. You just need to do a bit of wiring.

The mopar setup is fine, but theres way too many wires running all over the place for my likings.

crazzywolfie · Aug 26, 2013

it is also still a part that commonly fails on gm vehicles.

the mopar system does not use any more wires than a gm setup unless you have a 5pin igntion setup which is not as common as a 4 pin ignition system.

1985 Ram Electrical Problems

TheBEAST

Junior Member

crazzywolfie

Senior Member

TheBEAST

Junior Member

crazzywolfie

Senior Member

TheBEAST

Junior Member

CoreyD

Junior Member

PCA4208

Senior Member

crazzywolfie

Senior Member

PCA4208

Senior Member

crazzywolfie

Senior Member

Similar threads

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Share this page