My temp Guage wouldn't get hotter than a 1/4 mark,it would never get to operating temp,then my check engine light came on ,then one day the truck just wouldn't start,it would cramk but no start any ideas

 

Find out why it won't start first. What's missing, fuel, or spark?

 

Turn the key off and hook up jump wire to the temp sensor to ground. Turn the on and the gauge should read hot. You either have a stuck open T-stat or a bad sensor. Also check codes by cycling the ignition key on and off three times and leaving the key on the third time. You check engine lamp should flash. The flashes are read like Morse code. Meaning 1 quick flash and then a delay with 7 quick flashes. = code 17 engine cold too long.

 

Can I use the same jump wire method on fuel pump relay or crank position sensor to make it start

 

Depends on why it won't start. If the fuel pump isn't running, then yeah, you can jump the relay to make the pump run. Crank sensor though, generates a signal, and if the pcm doesn't see the correct signal, the truck will never start. Jumping the sensor simply will not work.

 

How many miles on the engine? If it's over 120-150,000 miles, has the timing chain been replaced? I had a '94 with the 3.9 and it never eeally warmed up. Checking with a remote infrared thermometer showed my gauge was reading what the engine was. A new timing chain to replace the noisy worn out one got the temperature up where it belonged on the gauge, gave GREAT heat from the heater and my fuel mileage went up quite a bit. From 13 (for a 3.9) to 24 mpg. A couple of times I even got better than that.

 

I was wondering if it could be my inertia switch and where exactly that is located

 

I replaced the crankshaft position sensor and still no start and scanner reads no communication with ECU still,so would my next step be to replace The brain

 

So what else do I need to do if I get an engine cold too long code?

 

Get to the root of why the ecm isnt communicating.
Did you do the 3 key turn ,codes test?
it should directly show that code # .
[ example p0300] ..Depending on the year