so i took my truck up to advanced auto parts and had them hook up there scanner and it read cylinder 8 misfire. but when i do the turn the key trick i get a code 43 which says nothing about a cylinder 8 misfire. code 43 says Peak primary circuit current not acheived with the maximum dwell time. are these 2 items related?

 

Possibly. Sounds like your coil could be going out, causing #8 to misfire. Do a seach on a Code 43 and you'll see someone else has the same symptoms.

 

what years of trucks will the key thing work and what is the proper way to do it?
I seem to remember that it doesn't work for my truck but I may be doing it wrong
Thanks

 

i replaced the coil on the recommendation of another member of the site, i reset the code and it came back on. any other reason i would get this code?

and for the key thing, mines a 97 WITHOUT the digital odometer, turn the key forward, back, forward, back, forward, then the CE light will flash a series of numbers. mine for instance is 1, 1 2, which is 12 then it will flash 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 which is 43, then 1 2 3 4 5, 1 2 3 4 5 which is 55 = end of transmission.

 

I have a 97 as well. I would recommend checking the Camshaft Position Sensor, which connects to the Distributor. Check all of the connections to the distributor: wires, rotor bug, etc. Clean everything nice and shiney. The problem with newer vehicles is that a bad ground or dirty contact yields oddball codes. Pull the plug on #8 as well. Check the plug wire to ensure it's not broken on either end.

 

camshaft position sensor, can you direct me as to what this looks like/where its located?

 

Doesn't work on 98's and (maybe) early 99's.