'01 Ram 1500 Manual Transmission - won't restart after it heats up
We need help!! The list of possibilities seem endless on what could be wrong, so we're hoping that by posting in here, we can get closer to an answer. The truck is an '01 1500, manual transmission (5 speed), 4x4.
Here's the deal: As of last summer, the truck wouldn't restart after being driven a bit in the heat. This summer it has gotten out of hand!! We ran a diagnostic on it today, got an 0601 code. No big deal, replaced the PMC, but it didn't solve the problem. Vapor locking has been thrown out as an idea, but not likely. Fuel pump sounds great, but I am at about 182,000 miles, so it's a possibility, as is the fuel filter. A guy that helped me out last night, who happens to specialize in Dodges, suggested that maybe it is the crank sensor. We are looking into that now.
Question: What are the symptoms of a crank sensor going out? When I try to start the engine it will do everything it needs to except for start. The general consensus has been that it sounds like the fuel isn't getting to the engine or I'm just not getting the spark.
Please help!! We're planning to go after the crank sensor tomorrow evening, but don't want to if it's not the problem. Oh, as soon as the engine cools down or the temps outside cool down, there is no problem getting it started. I just get stranded a lot while waiting for it to cool down enough to start. Not a good thing when you're a single mom with two kids and usually have a friend with her three kids (youngest is 3 months) in the truck. It's been 110+ lately which makes for some very dangerous wait time. I need to get this figured out and fixed ASAP!!
Here's the deal: As of last summer, the truck wouldn't restart after being driven a bit in the heat. This summer it has gotten out of hand!! We ran a diagnostic on it today, got an 0601 code. No big deal, replaced the PMC, but it didn't solve the problem. Vapor locking has been thrown out as an idea, but not likely. Fuel pump sounds great, but I am at about 182,000 miles, so it's a possibility, as is the fuel filter. A guy that helped me out last night, who happens to specialize in Dodges, suggested that maybe it is the crank sensor. We are looking into that now.
Question: What are the symptoms of a crank sensor going out? When I try to start the engine it will do everything it needs to except for start. The general consensus has been that it sounds like the fuel isn't getting to the engine or I'm just not getting the spark.
Please help!! We're planning to go after the crank sensor tomorrow evening, but don't want to if it's not the problem. Oh, as soon as the engine cools down or the temps outside cool down, there is no problem getting it started. I just get stranded a lot while waiting for it to cool down enough to start. Not a good thing when you're a single mom with two kids and usually have a friend with her three kids (youngest is 3 months) in the truck. It's been 110+ lately which makes for some very dangerous wait time. I need to get this figured out and fixed ASAP!!
Last edited by bmaxwell6; Aug 1, 2012 at 09:01 PM.
Need to see what's missing when it won't start. Grab a spare spark plug, when it won't start, pull a spark plug wire off one of the plugs (which ever is easiest, doesn't matter which one.) hook up your spare plug, and ground it on the motor. (valve covers work fine.) Hold it in place with something that won't conduct electricity, to make sure it gets a good ground. Crank engine, see if you get spark. If not, then, good bet crank sensor is dieing. Don't get a cheap one, (duralast.....) get a good quality sensor from the parts store, or, ideally, from the dealership. (expect to have to leave one of your kids there as partial payment though......
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