You guys have helped me before and I'm already back. I'm getting a little spooked about this truck. This problem has occurred 3 times in the last 2 months. Same thing every time.

I go out in the morning and outta the blue, no start. Cranks like mad, I hear the fuel pump, I smell gas after cranking for a while, I have spark to the plugs. It starts either later that day or the next morning. Then I'm good for a few weeks.

I'm not sure yet, but it might coincide with rain, high humidity.

When I say spark, I'm using my Fluke, but not sure what I should be seeing. I put it on 12v and stick the positive probe into the plug wire. I've only done this once and when it's cranking I see the meter jumping around between 7-14. Does that sound right?

Anything come to mind. I read a lot about the crank sensor.

Thanks in advance.

 

Chances are it is the crank or camshaft sensor that is causing the car to not start.

http://standardbrand.com/Standard+-+...s/Content.aspx

 

Checking with an ohm meter will tell you that you have voltage, but will it provide enough spark? Get a spark tester (about $4) and see if you have a nice blue arc.

And +1 on crank and/or cam sensor.

 

i would make sure you have spark at the plugs, it is possible that the spark isn't making it to the plugs. if wires are bad in wet weather the spark will find somwhere else to go. i would change the plugs and wires to start. pretty sure if a crank/cam sensor is bad you will not get spark.

 

I just use a spare spark plug as a tester.... can tell a lot by the color, and the sound.

Pull a plug, is it wet?

 

Are you sure? I don't want to replace it if I don't have to. What voltage should I see at the end of the plug wire?

 

We can't be sure....we are not there to see the spark. Check as suggested and let us know what you find. If ther eis no spark at plug end, the it is ether coil or sensors as indicated.

 

As usual, it started the next morning. This is crazy. How do you track down something that only shows up occasionally, and then goes away the next day?

The only variable I remotely see is that the wind and the rain stopped and the air is drier. This seems to be the only pattern I can see.

 

If you have a cracked distributor cap, it will allow moisture in and cause a no-start condition.

 

Cam sensor won't cause no spark, however, it WILL cause the PCM not to fire injectors. You may have fuel pressure, but, if the injectors aren't being fired, it won't start.

Next time it doesn't wanna fire, hit it with some ether, and see if it does anything different.