1997 Dodge Ram 1500 spark plug wire replacement

[@HandymanSam]

NOTE: The numbering I show is only for keeping track of where the wires go. It does NOT show the firing order. Thanks 🙂👍

[@steadyeddie7453]

For all you 2nd gen Ram owners with the 5.2 and 5.9 engines--- These engines have a very specific plug wire routing and way of securing the wires. There was a TSB giving specific details. Some of the wires are in wire looms, and each wire has a specific routing and must be secured with the factory wire clips. The coil wire is run above the right valve cover and cannot be within 1 inch from any other plug wires after leaving the distributor cap. If you are chasing a misfire problem you should look for the TSB, or from ALLDATA, if it is still there. I printed it off years ago.

[@JOHNMORIN100]

It is only half ass the way this fella works- this will need redoing shortly...

[@TheRichNewnes]

The cylinders are numbered wrong! Standing in front of the engine, it should be as follows: right side (driver's side) 1-3-5-7, left side (passenger's side) 2-4-6-8. Firing order is stamped on the intake manifold. Should be 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

[@HandymanSam]

Thanks for your comment. To be honest, I had no clue what the firing order for my particular engine was at that particular time. However, it wasn’t really necessary to know since I took off one plug wire at a time. No way to get them mixed up that way. The template I show here in this video isn’t meant to be accurate when it comes to firing order. It’s mainly to “keep track” of which wires go where. But anyway, thanks for your feedback.

[@tonystrickland4318]

Glad somebody caught that as well. Lol. I Was getting ready to comment as to which was correct, right after I read all the comments first!

[@terryschott3881]

Going to attempt the plugs and wires on my 97 Dakota, never done it before, so hopefully I don't fuck it up. This video is gonna help big time

[@HandymanSam]

Terry Schott Great! Please do note- the diagram I’ve shown is NOT an accurate diagram for firing order. It is just an example of a way to keep up with which wires go where.

[@flyingzootzoot9941]

Mama just picked up this truck v8 n everything but white and lord oh lord I can’t wait to do maintenance on it

[@archieolivier2478]

Good presentation and informative.

[@HandymanSam]

Thanks!

[@Mustang-bk4ns]

Great Video. My truck "sputters" when starting up, then runs ok at low sppeds but "sputters" again when I accelerate. I am hoping a total tune-up with plugs, wires, cap and rotor will cure the problem. But what about those metal "sleeves" that the Wires and Plugs go into? I didn't see any on your engine. I have a 1999 ram 1500 SLT Laramie. Maybe that was something they added as a "bonus feature" to upsell from the standard Ram 1500? Pulling off those wires can be tricky if part sticks to the plug too. I had that happen on an '89 Toyota Camry. That's when I got a Spark Plug Puller tool. Thanks if you have any reply to add.

[@HandymanSam]

Hi! I’m definitely glad I replaced all of my spark plug wires in this video (the truck definitely needed it!) But the main problem actually turned out to be the crankshaft position sensor. That won’t be the same for everybody (it’s good to start with the simple things first like spark plugs), but it was the case for me. I actually do have those metal sleeves. You can see them better on the thumbnail of the video. And yes, I would recommend using a spark plug wire puller tool if you absolutely can’t remove by hand. I once had to take out spark plug wires on a Saturn, and one of the wires was stuck onto the end of a somewhat corroded spark plug end. Long story short, when I pulled it ripped out the internals of the wire, and I had to replace it. I have always used dielectric grease from then on with that connection between the spark plug and wire.

[@philosopher0076]

@@HandymanSam Where is that spark plug positioning sensor located? And how much was the cost of the actual new sensor? Thanks a lot.

[@HandymanSam]

Philosopher 007 Hey man. Not trying to sound technical, but it’s actually called a crankshaft position sensor, and it’s located behind and down a bit below the valve cover on the passenger side of the engine. You basically have to lay across the engine to be able to reach your arm far enough down between the firewall and the valve cover to get to the sensor. I’d suggest laying a piece of plywood down to support you after you get the air housing stuff out of the way. That worked wonderfully for me. Mine cost around $60-$70. I got a duralast one, and it sure has lasted. Still no problems with it to this day.

[@philosopher0076]

@@HandymanSam OK. Thank you Sam. Much appreciated man.

[@HandymanSam]

Philosopher 007 Glad I could help 👍

[@jordanrogers4348]

Make sure you change the spark plugs to if you going that far mind as well do the whole job

[@overlordp.3758]

I was thinking the same exact thing

[@austinbittner2146]

Umm, dodges go back and forth or side to side drives has 1, 3, 5, 7 passenger has 2, 4, 6, 8

[@carsenlarson2905]

Did your truck just start spittin and sputtering all of the sudden or did it slowly start doing it because my 2001 ram just started spitting and sputtering today when I get on it a little bit and don’t know the issue

[@HandymanSam]

It was a slow but noticeable problem. May want to check sparkplugs if you haven’t already. If not that, could be a bigger issue like plug wires or a sensor.

[@jamessharpe3262]

I just put new plugs wires cap and rotor on my 97 Dodge 1500 and now it won't start. what do I do now?

[@HandymanSam]

Did you put back the spark plug wires exactly how they were? Also, be sure that the rotor is pressed down all the way. You may also want to check that all your plug wires have "clicked" into place on both the distributor terminals and on your spark plugs.

[@jamessharpe3262]

Handyman Sam I ended up screwing up the placement of the wires on the distributor cap because they pulled off on me when I was trying to put it back in place. I refer to my repair manual and use the distributor rotation on the diagram. it cranks and gives a little Rumble like it wants to go but it just won't start

[@HandymanSam]

It sounds like your getting spark. Not exactly sure what the problem could be- maybe a fuel delivery problem?

[@HandymanSam]

It may even be the crankshaft position sensor. When mine was going out on my truck, it would usually start fine, but then after 15-20 minutes of driving (after it warmed up) it would start misfiring and run terribly. Sometimes, like in your case, my truck would try to start, but I never could get it fully going (at least for a while).

[@jamessharpe3262]

Handyman Sam would starting fluid work down the throttle body? I really appreciate your talking to me about this

[@armandomartinez3949]

Worked perfectly Thanks Bro

[@HandymanSam]

You’re welcome man.

[@ericwilson4622]

Would have been a good idea to change out the plugs at the same time ...also What size V8 was it ... 5.2 or 5.7 thanks Rich

[@HandymanSam]

I actually did replace the plugs a little while before I replaced the wires. I just didn't tape it. My engine is a 5.9 v8.

[@uneeqmusic6757]

Did you have to use a special tool to replace the spark plugs?

[@HandymanSam]

I just used a deep well spark plug socket with an extension and a regular ratchet. It's a tight fit getting the spark plugs out next to the fire wall, but doable.

[@tonystrickland4318]

2nd gen, 94-01 years for the 1500 series, 94-02 for the 2500 and 3500 series, would be either an 5.2 (318 cid), or the 5.9 ( 360 cid). 5.7 would be the hemi and would come out in the 02 1500 Dodge Ram Trucks.

[@thecosmickat3954]

No 02 1500 Is a second gen.

[@TheCrazyR1]

What’s the damn middle connection on the top of the cap run to??

[@HandymanSam]

To the ignition coil, demonstrated from 3:01-3:15

[@TheCrazyR1]

@@HandymanSam yea I seen that, I got it all corrected, I got 5&7 and 2&4 flopped around, I should’ve did a spark plug at a time lmao

[@oilsmokejones3452]

Did this fix the misfire under load..??

[@HandymanSam]

I remember it helping a little bit. But it didn’t ultimately fix the problem. The misfiring issue on my truck turned out to be due to a faulty crankshaft positioning sensor.

[@verdaderocristiano2486]

Aqui ay algo muy importante que les puede servir ....si ustedes no ponen los cables en el lugar correcto .....cuando las pongas ...el auto puede funcionar ...pero a los dias empesaras a oir esplociones por el escape umo negro ....y te preguntaras ...?porque si ya tiene bujias nuebas cables nuebos? Pero el problema es cables INVERTIDOS ....a siesque rrecueda ...cuales cables te equibocaste e inviertelos

[@mrHoppedupford]

Change one wire at a time and you won't have to worry about a diagram.

[@alexmeringer7354]

Hey man Just out of curiosity did it fix the 55 mph issue?

[@HandymanSam]

Thanks for your question. No it did not ultimately fix the problem. It turned out to be a faulty crankshaft position sensor. However, it’s a good idea to check sparkplugs before replacing an expensive sensor. My truck started acting up again several months ago anytime I gave it gas, it shook so violently I thought my transmission was slipping or the crankshaft sensor was going out. But nope. Turned out to be sparkplugs needing replacement.

[@nickcaton9473]

did it fix the sputtering at 50mph?

[@HandymanSam]

To answer your question, no. It did not. However, the plug wires needed to be replaced anyway. The real problem was actually the crankshaft position sensor. To my understanding, 2nd generation Dodge Rams are notorious for their crankshaft position sensors going out, especially for high mileage trucks. I've replaced the sensor twice in less than 3 years. Although, in my case, once the old sensor is replaced with a new one, it runs like new.

[@jamessharpe3262]

they sure don't make that distributor easy to get to do they

[@HandymanSam]

Haha. No, definitely not on the 2nd generation Ram.

[@adriankearney1870]

Is it a V8?

[@HandymanSam]

Yep!

[@Sandman66]

I hate trying to change the rotor and cap.....

[@HandymanSam]

Yeah 😒 it’s good to have long arms for the job.

[@miguelalvarez5773]

Thanks Man 👍👍👍

[@HandymanSam]

+Migurl Alvarez glad I could help 😏

[@alienog4205]

great vid

[@HandymanSam]

Thank you

[@kodybob09gamer75]

Thank you. That looks like something I can do myself. And I don't know anything about fixing my truck.

[@kenmows4u338]

Good job.

[@armindafortney8405]

My husband just bought a used Dodge Ram truck he asked me to change out his spark plug wires, I love working on cars as a woman I just do not not like men hovering around me while I am working on cars.

[@austinweed5094]

I always had random multi misfires on randon cylinders. CEL comes on and goes back offer every 30-50 miles. Finially found the 5.2/5.9 Misfire TSB 18-48-98 routing for spark plugs and solved the problem. www.ramforumz.com/showthread.php?t=46269