Temp only at 3 this morning. Started right up on the second crank. Hasn't started below 10f for a long long time....so there's a plus there.

Still gave me a ka-crunk on the first try. New Crank sensor and + battery connector this weekend and it 'might' be back on the road.

BTW, if I've been driving for a while, stop and run into a store, I get the same ka-crunk on the 1st crank every 2 or 4 starts, warm or not. Still thinking crank sensor?

 

Try swapping the starter relay and the horn relay.

 

Have you checked your fuel pressure to make sure your fuel pump is good?

 

Swap relays? Will crank until the battery is drained. Was looking a bit on Crankshaft position sensor failure symptoms, Back-Fire is one of em. Will replace this weekend...maybe.

 

You have more than one problem then.

 

Don't forget about:
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1998/18-48-98/18-48-98-v8.htm
It does make a difference

 

Thanks Shak, I'll look at that in more detail.

I'll eventually get around to testing the fuel pressure, during warmer months, I get the back-fire on restart, but no stalling and bucking issues. I don't let it warm up in the driveway when it's already 60 outside. Was really hoping it was the Coolant temp sensor, when I replaced it in December all my issues went away, or so I thought. Came back in 30 or so days and enjoyed a mpg boost to boot.

Guess we'll see with the crank shaft sensor being replaced...

Once it's running, it runs, don't worry about it dying on me somewhere, it's the starting thats driving me nuts.

 

Flue when you get the chance, see if you don't have a leaking fuel injector, or possible some draw on the battery overnight. Batteries don't like excessive hot or cold and bad grounds will also do crazy things to our trucks. Just my two cents.

 

Replaced the busted terminal connector last night, fired right up this morning. I keep reading about crap Crank pos sensors, so ordered a Mopar OEM one...it's the last thing I can think of that may be causing a backfire on start...or the rev and stop of the engine after warming up for 5 -10 min.

Think I'll repair the Plenum and replace the clutch master cylinder assembly this summer and run it into the ground or sell it.

 

BTW, what did you have to give for the dealer part? Before every car had a computer a bad cable was just a pain. Now most cars won't even run without 13 volts. And congrates on getting at least one problem fixed.