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I have a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 4WD with 59,000 miles, automatic with
a 5.2 L engine.
The Truck had been sitting for over a year, it started right up ran
fine, It drove for approx 2 miles and the engine started to loose
power then it quit.
Put in some fresh gas, it started but was running poorly then quit
check for spark, found none. Had the unit towed home. Added more
fuel, charged the battery, it would crank over but no start. Sacan
it found a fault code for Crank position sensor. Replace it still
no start. Checked it a day later started but ran very rough, warmed
up ran ok, next day same problem no start, Items replaced Coil,
IAC, Distributor Sensor, Crank sensor. Cap, Rotor, Wires and plugs.
Checked conections at PCM, Fuse box, connectors. I am at a total
loss it will start one day run fine, the next day nothing( Note one
the days that it will not start I get on plug to fire the other
seven dead) What can it be?
Ray
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Typically the cam sensor alignment has to be set, but that wouldn't explain why it doesn't run well cold. Do you have datastream capabilities on that scan tool...?
Richard
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Richard,
Yes the Snap On Scanner has the capabilities.
Thanks for replying so soon. I have used a Snap On Tool Scanner and when it would not start I would get a no cranshaft position. How ever I have had the truck start days after I gave back the scanner and it would run smooth or start off ratty then smooth out. Other times it just would crank and fire one plug.
Here is what I have checked so far:
All relays ASD, Fuel Pump etc. fuel pressure is ok I even tried dumping fuel down the thorttle body and still no fire.
Checked the wiring at PCM, Crank Position Sensor (new), Cam Sensor (new) (5.9 volts) TPS, IAC,(new) MAP, High Voltage Coil (voltage for power is at battery voltage i.e. 12.57 Volts).
Truck was used for plowing with a salt bath, wiring does not look in too bad of shape. It just one day it would start the next same symptons, fire one plug
Could the oxygen sensors cause it to act like this?
I feel it is tempature related or a conection that is going on and off,(sorta like the old Chevy alternators plug, where the wire would break in the holder but the insulation would make it look conected), The next thing I want to try is put a 100 watt light blub by the PCM and see it that will make it start.
Thanks for you help this one has me stumped and my Ego is on the line with my youngest son who thinks I can fix anything.
Sincerely
Ray
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That business of it cranking and firing one plug is significant if you can track down which plug is is and why.
That's an interesting problem.
Richard
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What I have done was to just hook up a spark plug to the coil wire and watch it fire before it goes into the dist cap. As the Engine cranks you see one spark while the crank is turning, not what you would expect to see a series of sparks just one every once in a while. When the coil is connected to the dist cap you will get one cylinder firing the other 7 are dead. Also the spark is not robust it, so i changed the coil to a high output and gave it a direct feed from the battery, still same problem one hit, seven misses. But if the weather is right it will start right up and run ok, or if it does start it will run ratty. This is a real puzzler?
Ray
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That's crank sensor related - when you replaced the crank sensor, it should have had a cardboard spacer on the end of it - you're supposed to shove the crank sensor with its spacer into contact with the flywheel pulse ring (slotted ear on the crank sensor) and torque the sensor. The first time you spin it over the spacer is swept away and that sets the gap - if the crank sensor is too close to the ring, it won't run right, and if it's too far from the pulse ring it won't run right. It's peculiar.
The Chrysler folks have a spacer you can buy to stick on the end of the sensor if you have to remove and reinstall it, but I don't know the part number for the spacer. If you peeled the spacer off before you installed the sensor, you probably have the crank sensor gap wrong.
That is, I imagine, your problem.
Richard
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Richard,
That is brilliant! I brought a aftermarket sensor and it did not have a spacer, so I just put it in. My thought was the sensor mounted onto the block so the clearance would be pre-set. I will get one from Dodge and try it.
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