distributor cap DODGE RAM 1999 Service User Guide

the distributor.
2) On Ram Van and Ram Wagon, remove engine cover. On all
models, disconnect negative battery cable. Remove air cleaner
assembly. Remove distributor cap and distributor rotor.
3) Disconnect camshaft position sensor electrical wiring
harness. Lift camshaft position sensor from distributor housing.
4) To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure tab on
bottom of camshaft position sensor engages with notch on distributor
housing.
Fig. 13: Exploded View Of Typical Distributor
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
Removal (Ram Pickup 8.0L)
1) Camshaft position sensor is located on driver's side of

Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
Fig. 20: Locating Crankshaft Position Sensor (Ram Pickup 8.0L)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
DISTRIBUTOR
Removal (Dakota 2.5L)
1) Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove air inlet duct
between throttle body and air cleaner assembly. Remove distributor
cap. Disconnect electrical connector for distributor.
2) Remove spark plug from cylinder No. 1 at timing chain end
of engine. Rotate crankshaft clockwise (viewed from front of engine)
until cylinder No. 1 is at Top Dead Center (TDC) on compression stroke\
and timing mark on vibration damper aligns with "0" degree timing mark
on timing chain cover. DO NOT rotate crankshaft counterclockwise to
align timing marks.
3) Remove distributor hold-down bolt and hold-down clamp.
Remove distributor with gasket from cylinder block.

block. Install distributor so distributor shaft engages with slot in
oil pump drive gear. It may be necessary to slightly rotate
distributor during installation.
6) When distributor is fully seated, the distributor rotor
should be at 3 o'clock position and center of hold-down bolt area on
distributor housing should align with distributor hold-down bolt area
on cylinder block.
7) Install hold-down clamp and distributor hold-down bolt.
Tighten distributor hold-down bolt to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS.
8) If installing a factory replacement distributor, remove
plastic alignment pin from distributor housing. If installing original
or used distributor, remove drift from distributor housing and
reinstall camshaft position sensor. On all applications, install
distributor cap and remaining components. Base ignition timing is
nonadjustable, as ignition timing and timing advance are controlled by
the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
Removal (Dakota 3.9L, 5.2L & 5.9L, Durango, Ram Pickup 3.9L,
5.2L & 5.9L, Ram Van & Ram Wagon)
1) Disconnect negative battery cable. On Ram Van and Ram
Wagon, remove engine cover. On all models, remove air cleaner
assembly. Remove distributor cap. Disconnect electrical connector for
distributor.
2) Rotate crankshaft clockwise (viewed from front of engine)\
until cylinder No. 1 is at Top Dead Center (TDC) on compression stroke\
and timing mark on vibration damper aligns with TDC timing mark on
timing chain cover. Cylinder No. 1 is the front cylinder on driver's
side of engine.
3) Ensure distributor rotor aligns with cylinder No. 1
alignment mark on camshaft position sensor. See Fig. 23. If
distributor rotor is not properly aligned, rotate crankshaft clockwise
one full revolution. Ensure distributor rotor aligns with terminal for
cylinder No. 1 on distributor cap.
4) Scribe a mark on distributor and adjacent component to
indicate rotor and distributor housing position for installation
reference. Remove distributor hold-down bolt and hold-down clamp.
Remove distributor with "O" ring from cylinder block.
Fig. 23: Aligning Distributor Rotor With Camshaft Position Sensor
(Dakota 3.9L, 5.2L & 5.9L, Durango, Ram Pickup 3.9L, 5.2L & 5.9L, Ram
Van & Ram Wagon)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.

Installation
1) If engine has not been rotated after removing distributor,
go to next step. If engine was rotated after removing distributor,
rotate crankshaft clockwise (viewed from front of engine) until
cylinder No. 1 is at Top Dead Center (TDC) on compression stroke and
timing mark on vibration damper aligns with TDC timing mark on timing
chain cover. Go to next step.
2) Ensure distributor mounting area on cylinder block is
clean. Install NEW "O" ring on distributor if necessary. Apply light
coat of engine oil on "O" ring.
3) Position distributor rotor so it aligns with terminal for
cylinder No. 1 on distributor cap. Install distributor. Ensure
distributor engages with slot in oil pump drive gear. Install hold-
down clamp and distributor hold-down bolt. DO NOT tighten distributor
hold-down bolt at this time.
4) Rotate distributor until distributor rotor aligns with
cylinder No. 1 alignment mark on camshaft position sensor. See Fig. 23
. Tighten distributor hold-down bolt to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS. To install remaining components, reverse removal
procedure.
5) Base ignition timing is nonadjustable. Base ignition
timing and timing advance are controlled by the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM). Distributor position is used to determine the fuel
system synchronization. To check for correct distributor position and
fuel system synchronization, see FUEL SYSTEM SYNCHRONIZATION under
FUEL SYSTEM in ON-VEHICLE ADJUSTMENTS article.
IGNITION COIL
Removal & Installation (Dakota 2.5L)
Ignition coil is located on side of engine, near distributor.
Service procedure is primarily an unbolt and bolt-on procedure.
Tighten ignition coil retaining bolts or nuts to specification. See
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
Removal & Installation (Dakota 3.9L, 5.2L & 5.9L, Durango &
Ram Van/Wagon)
1) Ignition coil is located on front of passenger's side
cylinder head. Disconnect spark plug wires and electrical connector
from ignition coil.
CAUTION: Ignition coil-to-cylinder head mounting bracket bolts hold
the idler pulley for the accessory drive belt, as these bolts
are under tension. If necessary to remove these bolts,
accessory drive belt must be removed first.
2) Remove ignition coil retaining bolts or nuts with ignition
coil from the ignition coil mounting bracket. DO NOT remove ignition
coil-to-cylinder head mounting bracket bolts, as these bolts are under
tension.
3) To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten ignition
coil retaining bolts or nuts to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS.
Removal & Installation (Ram Pickup 3.9L, 5.2L & 5.9L)
1) On 3.9L, 5.2L and 5.9L with light-duty emissions, ignition
coil is located on front of passenger's side cylinder head. On 5.9L
with heavy-duty emissions, ignition coil is located on top of air
injection pump. On all models, disconnect spark plug wires and
electrical connector from ignition coil.
CAUTION: On 3.9L, 5.2L and 5.9L with light-duty emissions, ignition
coil-to-cylinder head mounting bracket bolts hold the idler


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 Brake Linings 

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SERVICE 

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 Lubricate Steering Linkage 


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 Automatic Transmission Bands 


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 Clean EGR Passages (5.9L) 

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REPLACE 

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 Engine Oil 


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 Engine Oil Filter (
1) 


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 Automatic Transmission Fluid & Filter 


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 Rear Axle Fluid 


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 Front Axle Fluid (4x4) 


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 Spark Plugs 


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 Ignition Cables 


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 PCV Valve (5.9L) 


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 EGR Valve (5.9L) 


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 Distributor Cap & Rotor (5.9L) 

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1)  8.0L: Change oil filter at every oil change. 

5.9L: If mileage is less than 6,000 miles (9,600 Km) Yearly, 

replace the oil filter at every oil change. 

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LUBRICATION SPECIFICATIONS 

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Material  Condition  Specification 

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Engine Oil Ambient Temperature Above 0 F SAE 10W-30 

(
1)  (-18C) To Over 100F (38C)  


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Ambient Temperature Less Than  SAE 5W-30 

-20F (-29C) Up To 32F (0C) 

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Engine  All  50/50 Mixture Of 

Coolant   Distilled Water & 

  Ethylene Glycol 

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Brake Fluid  All  DOT 3 

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Steering  All  Mopar Multi-Mileage 

Linkage   Lubricant 

Lubricant   

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Automatic  All  ATF+2 Type 7176 

Transmission   

Fluid   

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Rear Axle  All Mopar Hypoid Lubricant 

Lubricant   SAE 80W-90 

SC HED ULE D S ER VIC ES
 


INSPECT 



 Exhaust System 




 Brake Hoses 




 Engine Coolant Level, Hoses & Clamps 




 Engine Air Cleaner & Air Pump Filters 




 Brake Linings 




SERVICE 



 Lubricate Steering Linkage 




 Automatic Transmission Bands 




 Clean EGR Passages (5.9L) 




REPLACE 



 Engine Oil 




 Engine Oil Filter (
1) 




 Automatic Transmission Fluid & Filter 




 Rear Axle Fluid 




 Front Axle Fluid (4x4) 




 Spark Plugs 




 Ignition Cables 




 PCV Valve (5.9L) 




 EGR Valve (5.9L) 




 Distributor Cap & Rotor (5.9L) 



(
1)  8.0L: Change oil filter at every oil change. 

5.9L: If mileage is less than 6,000 miles (9,600 Km) Yearly, 

replace the oil filter at every oil change. 




LUBRICATION SPECIFICATIONS 




Material  Condition  Specification 





Engine Oil Ambient Temperature Above 0 F SAE 10W-30 

(
1)  (-18C) To Over 100F (38C)  





Ambient Temperature Less Than  SAE 5W-30 

-20F (-29C) Up To 32F (0C) 





Engine  All  50/50 Mixture Of 

Coolant   Distilled Water & 

  Ethylene Glycol 





Brake Fluid  All  DOT 3 





5.9L
Normal Service .................... 12 ................. 12,000
Severe Service ................... (3) ................... 6000
8.0L
Normal Service .................... 6 .................... 6000
Severe Service ................... ( 3) ................... 3000
PCV Valve (5.9L Only)
Normal Service ..................... 60 ................. 60,000
Severe Service ( 7) ................ ( 3) ................. 30,000
Distributor Cap & Rotor (5.9L Only)
Normal Service ..................... 60 ................. 60,000
Severe Service .................... ( 3) ................. 60,000
Spark Plugs
Normal Service ..................... 30 ................. 30,000
Severe Service .................... ( 3) ................. 30,000
Spark Plug Wires
Normal Service ..................... 60 ................. 60,000
Severe Service .................... ( 3) ................. 60,000
Oxygen Sensor (5.9L Only)
Normal Service ..................... 82 ................. 82,500
Severe Service ..................... ( 3) ................ 82,500
Automatic Transmission Fluid,
Filter & Band Adjustment
Normal Service ..................... 24 ................. 24,000
Severe Service ..................... ( 3) ................ 12,000
Manual Transmission Fluid ............ ( 8) ................... ( 8)
Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)
Normal Service ..................... 36 ................. 36,000
Severe Service ..................... ( 3) ................ 18,000
Front Differential Fluid (4WD) ( 9)
Severe Service ..................... ( 3) ................ 12,000
Rear Differential Fluid ( 9) .......... ( 3) ................ 12,000
Repack Front Wheel Bearings
2WD
Normal Service .................... 24 ................. 24,000
Severe Service .................... ( 3) .................. 9000
4WD
Normal Service .................... 18 ................. 18,000
Severe Service .................... ( 3) .................. 6000
( 1) - Heavy-duty vehicles apply to 2500 and 3500 Federal models with
8.0L engine and all 3500 models with 5.9L gasoline engine.
( 2) - Different interval may be required for normal and severe
service. Severe service is described as long periods of engine
idling, frequent short trip operation of less than 5 miles,
trailer towing, off-highway operation, snow removal operation,
or operating in dusty or excessively hot conditions.
( 3) - Monthly interval is not available from manufacturer.
( 4) - Inspect filter every 12,000 miles and replace as necessary.
Replace at 24,000 miles unless previously replaced during
inspection.
( 5) - Replace coolant at 36,000 miles or 36 months whichever occurs
first. Replace coolant at 36 months regardless of mileage. After
first coolant change, replace coolant every 24 months or 30,000
miles thereafter.
( 6) - If equipped with EGR valve, clean EGR passages when replacing
EGR valve.
( 7) - Inspect and replace as necessary. Replace PCV valve at 60,000
miles.
( 8) - Service interval is not available from manufacturer.
( 9) - Normal service interval is not available from manufacturer.
Manufacturer lists service schedule only under severe service
conditions.