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Engine Controls - System & Component Testing - Gasoline Dodge Ram Van B3500

Testing & Diagnostics ~1395 words

INTRODUCTION

Before testing individual components or systems, perform procedures in BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - TRUCKS & RWD VANS - GASOLINE article. Since many computer controlled and monitored components set a fault message if they malfunction, also perform procedures in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.

Note. Testing of individual components does not isolate possible shorts or opens in wiring harness of electronically controlled systems. Perform all voltage tests using a Digital Volt-Ohmmeter (DVOM) with a minimum 10-megohm input impedance unless otherwise instructed in procedure. Use an ohmmeter to isolate wiring harness shorts or opens.

POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM)

PCM power and ground circuits may be checked by performing TEST NS-1 in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article. For PCM location, see PCM LOCATION table.

ApplicationLocation
Dakota & DurangoRight Front Fender, Near Firewall
Ram Pickup, Ram Van & Ram WagonOn Firewall, Near Wiper Motor

PCM LOCATION

SENSORS

  1. Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor See appropriate DTC P0340: NO CAM SIGNAL AT PCM test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor See appropriate DTC P0320: NO CRANK REFERENCE SIGNAL AT PCM test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor See appropriate DTC P0117: ECT SENSOR VOLTAGE TOO LOW and DTC P0118: ECT SENSOR VOLTAGE TOO HIGH tests in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) See appropriate DTC for oxygen sensor in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor See appropriate DTC P0112: IAT SENSOR VOLTAGE LOW and DTC P0113: IAT SENSOR VOLTAGE HIGH tests in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor See appropriate DTC P0107: MAP SENSOR VOLTAGE TOO LOW and DTC P0108: MAP SENSOR VOLTAGE TOO HIGH tests in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Transmission Temperature (TRANS Temp) Sensor See appropriate DTC P0711: TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE SENSOR, NO TEMPERATURE RISE AFTER START, DTC P0712: TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE SENSOR VOLTAGE TOO LOW, and DTC P0713: TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE SENSOR VOLTAGE TOO HIGH tests in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Throttle Position (TP) Sensor See appropriate DTC P0122: THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR VOLTAGE LOW and DTC P0123: THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR VOLTAGE HIGH tests in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) See appropriate DTC P0500: NO VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR SIGNAL test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.

SOLENOIDS

  1. Evaporative (EVAP) Purge Solenoid See appropriate DTC P0443: EVAP PURGE SOLENOID CIRCUIT test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Leak Detection Pump (LDP) Solenoid See appropriate DTC P1495: LEAK DETECTION PUMP SOLENOID CIRCUIT test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Speed Control (S/C) Solenoid See appropriate DTC P1595: SPEED CONTROL SOLENOID CIRCUITS test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Transmission Governor Pressure Solenoid See appropriate DTC P0748: GOVERNOR PRESSURE SOLENOID/TRANSMISSION RELAY CIRCUITS test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Transmission 3-4 Solenoid See appropriate DTC P0783: TRANSMISSION 3-4 SHIFT SOLENOID, NO RPM DROP AT 3-4 SHIFT test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.

SWITCHES

  1. Leak Detection Pump (LDP) Switch See appropriate DTC P1494: LEAK DETECTION PUMP SWITCH OR MECHANICAL FAULT test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Park/Neutral (P/N) Switch See appropriate DTC P1899: PARK/NEUTRAL SWITCH STUCK IN PARK OR IN GEAR test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Power Steering (PS) Switch See appropriate DTC P0551: POWER STEERING SWITCH FAILURE test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Speed Control Switch See appropriate DTC P1596: SPEED CONTROL SWITCH ALWAYS HIGH and DTC P1597: SPEED CONTROL SWITCH ALWAYS LOW tests in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.

RELAYS

  1. A/C Clutch Relay See appropriate DTC P0645: A/C CLUTCH RELAY CIRCUIT test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Auto Shutdown (ASD) Rela See appropriate DTC P1388: AUTO SHUTDOWN RELAY CONTROL CIRCUIT test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Fuel Pump Relay See appropriate DTC P1282: FUEL PUMP RELAY CONTROL CIRCUIT test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Radiator Fan Control Relay See appropriate DTC P1491: RADIATOR FAN CONTROL RELAY CIRCUIT test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) Relay See appropriate DTC P0743: TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SOLENOID/TRANSMISSION RELAY CIRCUIT test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Transmission Governor Pressure Solenoid Relay See appropriate DTC P0748: GOVERNOR PRESSURE SOLENOID/TRANSMISSION RELAY CIRCUIT test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Transmission 12-Volt Supply Relay See appropriate DTC P1765: TRANSMISSION 12-VOLT SUPPLY RELAY CONTROL CIRCUIT test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
  1. Vehicle Speed Control Relay See appropriate DTC P1683: SPEED CONTROL POWER RELAY CIRCUIT test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.

FUEL DELIVERY

Note. For fuel system pressure testing, see BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - TRUCKS & RWD VANS - GASOLINE article.

Fuel Injector

See appropriate injector control circuit test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.

IDLE AIR CONTROL (IAC) MOTOR

See appropriate DTC P0505: IAC MOTOR CIRCUIT in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.

IGNITION SYSTEM

Note. For basic ignition checks, see TEST NS-SEL: NO START TEST SELECTION in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.

EMISSION SYSTEMS & SUB-SYSTEMS

Note. To locate emission components, refer to emission control information label in engine compartment.

No Air Supply (Ram Pickup 5.9L & 8.0L)

  1. Start engine, and increase engine speed to 1500 RPM. Check air supply at rubber hoses. If air supply increases with RPM, air pump operation is okay.
  2. If air pump is okay, check for leakage at hoses and fittings. Repair or replace hoses as necessary.
  3. If hoses are okay, check pressure relief valve for leakage. If air is expelled through pressure relief valve at idle, replace relief valve.
  4. If relief valve is okay on 5.9L, test is complete. On 8.0L, check inlet air filter. Repair air filter if plugged. If air filter is okay, test is complete.

8.0L

  1. CCV system does NOT use a PCV valve. System consists of a fixed orifice (Gray color) that is calibrated to a specific flow rate. The fixed orifice (located on intake manifold) is connected by a tube to right valve cover.
  2. A similar orifice is used on left cylinder head, but is Black in color and cannot be interchanged with Gray orifice. Ensure orifice, tubes and fittings are clean and in good condition. No further information is available from manufacturer.

EGR Valve

See TEST NTC-2: CHECKING EGR SYSTEM in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.

EVAP Canister

EVAP canister is located in engine compartment. Canister has no moving parts. Check for loose, missing, cracked or broken connections and parts. Repair or replace as necessary. No liquid should be in canister.

LDP

See appropriate DTC P1494: LEAK DETECTION PUMP SWITCH OR MECHANICAL FAULT test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.

PCV Valve

  1. With engine running at curb idle, remove PCV valve from grommet. If valve is functioning properly, a hissing sound will be heard as air passes through valve.
  2. With engine running, place finger over valve inlet. Strong vacuum should be felt at valve inlet. Stop engine. Remove and shake PCV valve to ensure a metallic clicking noise can be heard, indicating valve is free. Reinstall PCV valve.
  3. Remove crankcase ventilation filter or oil filler cap from valve cover. Hold a piece of stiff paper over opening. After allowing about one minute for crankcase pressure stabilization, paper should be drawn against opening.
  4. If paper is held against opening, performance is okay. If paper is not held against opening, replace PCV valve and retest. If performance does not improve, inspect system for restrictions and clean as necessary.

MISCELLANEOUS CONTROLS

Note. Although the controlled devices listed here are not technically engine performance components, they can affect driveability if they malfunction.

  1. A/C Clutch Relay See A/C CLUTCH RELAY under RELAYS.
  1. Radiator Fan Control Relay See RADIATOR FAN CONTROL RELAY under RELAYS.
  1. Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) Relay See TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC) RELAY under RELAYS
  1. Transmission Governor Pressure Solenoid Relay See TRANSMISSION GOVERNOR PRESSURE SOLENOID RELAY under RELAYS.
  1. Transmission 12-Volt Supply Relay See TRANSMISSION 12-VOLT SUPPLY RELAY under RELAYS.
  1. Vehicle Speed Control Relay See VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL RELAY under RELAYS

See also:
• PCM LOCATION

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