The Dodge Ram is a full-sized pickup truck that debuted in 1981 in two-door, two-door extended cab, four-door and dually versions. It received a face lift in 2006, the model year that also saw the introduction of the "mega cab." The Dodge Ram is the winner of Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 1994 and 2003. Maintain the truck's fuel delivery to keep the engine in tip-top shape.
Relieve fuel system pressure in Dodge Ram vehicles for model years 2003 and later. Disconnect the negative battery cable and the fuel pump relay from the power distribution center. Remove the fuel tank filler cap and disconnect the fuel injectors. Start the Ram and let it idle until it runs out of fuel and stalls. Attach one end of a jumper wire to an injector terminal and attach the other end of the wire to the positive battery terminal. Attach one end of a second jumper wire to the remaining injector terminal. Touch the free end of the second jumper wire to a ground for two to three seconds. Put a shop towel under the quick-disconnect coupling located on the fuel rail and disconnect it.
Disconnect the negative battery cable and remove the fuel tank filler cap as the first steps to relieve fuel system pressure in pre-2002 Ram models. Then, unscrew the pressure test port cap on the fuel rail at the front of the engine. Use a pressure gauge or hose from tool set No. 5069 or equivalent. Remove the gauge and put that end of the hose into a container approved for fuel. Put a shop towel beneath the test port and attach the free end of the gauge or hose onto the fuel pressure port. Relieve the pressure. Remove the hose and cap the port.
Remove the vacuum line from the fuel pump pressure regulator and check for fuel in the lines. Refer to the owner's manual for the line's location. There shouldn't be any fuel in the line. If there is, the engine problems are likely caused by a faulty fuel pump pressure regulator. If there is no fuel in the lines, reattach the vacuum line and continue with the fuel delivery diagnostic.
Reconnect the battery and twist off the fuel pressure test port cap. Attach a fuel pressure test gauge. Turn the engine on and let it idle. Check the gauge. It needs to read between 17 and 22 psi (117 to 152 kPa). Pressure that's too high or too low may mean the fuel pump is malfunctioning or that the fuel filter is clogged.
Remove the pressure gauge. Disconnect the negative battery cable again and relieve the system pressure one more time to safely remove the fuel filter and inspect for clogs. To remove the fuel filter on Ram trucks, disconnect the fuel tank and take the filter or regulator out of the rubber grommet. Cut the hose clamp and remove the fuel line. Remove the filter and visually inspect it for clogs.
Replace the fuel filter if necessary. To install or reinstall the filter, secure the unit with a new clamp and push the unit into the rubber grommet. Reconnect the fuel tank and the negative battery cable. Start the Dodge Ram and visually inspect the system for fuel leakage.
