I have a '98 Dakota sport 4wd with a 5.2. T.O. bearing died so I replaced clutch pak, resurfaced the flywheel and put it back together. Now it cranks but no start. It has fuel pressure and won't start with starting fluid. I thought I could have screwed up the crank position sensor so replaced it. No start, No tachometer. I replaced the distributor pickup, No start, No tach. where do I go from here? My code reader is giving a p1035 oxygen sensor code but I don't get annything from the tachometer so I haven't replaced o2 sensor. Any help would be most appreciated.

 

Usually, the crank sensor is a victim of trans R&R.... was the original damaged at all?

Sure sounds like you aren't getting spark there. Check the wiring for the crank sensor, make sure it didn't get pinched somewhere. Does the fuel pump run while the engine is cranking? Are you getting injector pulse?

 

Crank sensor did not look damaged and had power at the connector. I don't know how to bench test the crank sensor and might order a third one. Fuel pump runs with the key on.

 

Definitely crank sensor. Pull a spark plug out, put the wire back on, and hold the threads to a good ground while cranking. That will tell you if it's sparking.

 

Installed a new crank sensor and nothing. No start, No Tachometr.. I installed a new distributor pickup, cap, rotor, wires and plugs. Nothing. No codes on my code reader. I do not know how to bench test a crank position sensor. I don't know how to bench test a distributor pulse pickup. Are there more parts involved in an Ignition system for a 1998 Dodge Dakota sport 4wd with a 5.2 Manual trans. I don,t se any blown fuses and have switched all of the relays. Should I get a bus pass?

 

Get yourself some noid lights. Can probably rent them from your local parts store. See if the PCM is actually trying to control the coil, and injectors.

 

Or my old school suggestion of grounding a spark plug and check for spark that way

 

 

Maybe some pins got bent in one or more of the connectors? I'd get a 2x4' piece of plywood and lay over your engine, and with a light, examine the harness in back there to see if some wiring got pinched or wasn't connected fully. I feel ya! just spent 3 days trying to chase down gremlins..