Not for the purpose intended by Moparite, which is simply to test for presence or absence of ignition secondary (high voltage) pulses. A timing light would do that for ya. They're handy for lots of things that aren't setting ignition timing.

 

Timing lite would just be to see if you were actually getting spark. I suppose you could just pull the coil wire off the dist, and see what's happening. That's cheap and easy.

 

A timing light has nothing to do with the pcm or any part of the truck. It is a tool to see if you are getting a spark out of the coil and when it fires. It can be used for other reasons than setting timing. You can get volt meter and probe the trigger wire coming from the pcm to see if you are getting a signal there. This would be my second suggestion if you don't have a timing light.

 

I can do the voltmeter but can't find a schematic that shows a trigger wire. Which terminal do I need to probe? Whst will the proper voltage be? 12v or will it be stepped down?

 

Easier just to unplug the coil wire, set it someplace you can see it, (give it about an 1/8th to 1/4 inch gap to jump.) and see if you are getting spark.

 

Now that I can do. Tmw.

 

This gap is 3/4" and it was still hitting hard... on a stock replacement coil.

 

You said this occurs all the time, doesn't matter if the engine is hot or cold correct? Have you tried starting the truck once it clears up shut it off and immediately start it back up? if so does it still do the same thing? Sorry if you mentioned this earlier on and I missed it. Also what color smoke does it have on start up?

 

On startup, I know the smoke is from it flooding while trying to start. It is getting gas the whole time, as well as spark. As far as when it does it, there is no way to predict it at all. It may start fine now, then cut it off and right back up and it will take several seconds for it to start. And it just keeps getting better and better, It threw another code earlier today, p1740. Then when going down my driveway, at a certain speed it bounces between 1st and 2nd. Then when you get to the road and take off, it feels like it shifts into 2nd, then immediately back to 1st, then back to 2nd, then goes on. Today is not a good day.

 

P1740 TCC or O/D Solenoid Perf

Got that from the FAQ section here. Possibly the shifting feeling is the TCC locking and unlocking?
Still don't think it will solve the hard start issue.