How To Test The Ignition Coil (1992-2003 5.2L, 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram Pickup)

By: Abraham Torres-Arredondo
Created: 26 April 2025
Updated: 27 April 2025
Articl Id: 1691

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TEST 6: Testing The Ignition Coil's Activation Signal

Connector Pinout -1992-1997 Connector. How To Test The Ignition Coil (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 5.2L, 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram Pickup)

Connector Pinout -1998-2003 Connector. How To Test The Ignition Coil (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 5.2L, 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram Pickup)

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You've covered a lot of Ground so far! At this point, here's what you've confirmed:

TEST 1: No spark from any of the eight spark plug wires.
TEST 3: No spark coming from the ignition coil's high-tension wire.
TEST 4: No spark straight out of the ignition coil's tower.
TEST 5: The ignition coil is getting 10 to 12 Volts.

Now for the final check in this tutorial: we're gonna see if the ignition coil is getting its activation signal from your Dodge Ram pickup's fuel injection computer.

This signal comes through the wire that connects to the ignition coil's terminal marked with the number 2 in the photos above.

The activation signal wire will either be a grey (GRY) wire or a black with grey stripe (BLK/GRY) wire.

To test for that signal while cranking the engine, we'll use a basic 12 Volt automotive test light.

If you don't have one, this is the one I use and recommend: Lisle 28400 Heavy Duty 12 Volt Test Light (at: amazon.com).

Let's dive in:

1
Clip the alligator end of your 12 Volt test light to the battery's positive (+) terminal.
2
Disconnect the ignition coil from its 2-wire connector.
3
With the metal probe of the test light, probe terminal 2.

Make sure that the terminal actually corresponds to the GRY or BLK/GRY wire.

NOTE: Be careful! The test light's probe could damage the female terminal of the 2-wire connector.
4
Have your helper crank the engine while you hold the test light probe to the terminal.
5
The test light should blink ON and OFF while the engine is cranking.

NOTE: Ignore whatever the light does before or after cranking —only pay attention during cranking.

Here's how to read what you find:

CASE 1: The test light blinked ON and OFF. That's exactly what you want to see.

If you've confirmed all of this:

No spark from any spark plug wire (TEST 1).
No spark from the coil's high-tension wire (TEST 3).
No spark coming out of the coil's tower (TEST 4).
The ignition coil is getting 10 to 12 Volts (TEST 5).
The coil is getting its activation signal (this test).

Then the answer's clear: the ignition coil's bad. It's got power and a signal —so if it's still not sparking, it's toast and needs to be replaced.

To get your V8 Dodge Ram pickup starting again, swap out the ignition coil with a new one.

CASE 2: The test light didn't blink ON and OFF. That means the ignition coil isn't getting its activation signal —and without it, no spark will happen.

Double-check all your connections and run the test again. If the light still won't blink, the most common culprit is a bad camshaft position (CMP) sensor (distributor pickup coil) or a bad crankshaft position (CKP) sensor.

Here's a step-by-step tutorial to help you test the CMP sensor on your 1992-2003 5.2L or 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram pickup:

CKP sensor tests:

Other Causes Of A Misfire

A misfire (or a rough idle) doesn't always mean there's a problem with the ignition system. So if you followed this tutorial and everything checked out fine, here are a few other things you should take a look at:

Spark plug wires: Give the spark plug wires a close inspection.
- Make sure none of the wires are missing their metal terminals —the little metal pieces that actually clip onto the spark plugs. It's more common than you think for someone to yank a wire off, leave the terminal stuck on the spark plug, and just hope nobody notices (LOL).
- Check for any burned spots where the spark plug wires might've touched the exhaust manifold. If a wire's burned through, it'll leak spark at that point instead of sending it to the plug —instant misfire trouble.
Spark plugs: Take a good look at the spark plugs themselves.
- Look for any cracked or broken porcelain insulators —especially if you recently did a tune-up and might've dropped one without realizing it.
- If you pressure washed the engine lately, that could also be a factor. Power washing and electronic fuel injection systems don't really mix well.
Carbon tracks: Check for carbon tracks on the spark plugs.
- Carbon tracks look like thin black lines on the porcelain or inside the plug boot. They can short the spark right out and cause misfires. The photo above shows what to look for.
Engine compression: Worn valves or piston rings might be causing low compression in one or more cylinders, leading to a misfire.
- Compression testing is one of the most overlooked ways to hunt down a misfire —but it's super important.
- Here's a step-by-step guide that shows you how to do it: How To Test Engine Compression (1989-2003 5.2L, 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram Pickup).

These real life case-studies (of how I've diagnosed and resolved some cylinder misfire issues) might further help you:

Diagnosing A Toyota Corolla Misfire Case Study.
Troubleshooting A Hard To Diagnose Misfire Case Study (GM 3.1L, 3.4L).
Carbon Tracks Are A Common Cause Of Ignition Misfires (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).

Where To Buy The Ignition Coil And Save

The ignition coil for the 1989-1991 5.2L/5.9L V8 Dodge Ram pickup is not an expensive part. The following links will help you to comparison shop and hopefully save you a few bucks on its purchase: