My truck is a 97 ram 1500 with a 5.9. would start and idle fine but when I put in gear it would die. Restart it and black exhaust try to put in gear and bogged out. Replaced crankshaft sensor and IAC now it sounds like a horrible vacuum leak but I can't it anywhere. Please any help would be appreciated, is my only mode of transportation for myself and my kids.
thank-you

 

Hello Kimberly, and welcome to DF. By your symptoms, that generally is indeed a crank sensor problem. What brand sensor did you install? (our trucks really don't like aftermarket sensors in critical locations.... and unfortunately, that includes the IAC as well.....)

Did you disconnect the PCM for a while after changing out the parts?

Black smoke on startup generally indicates running rich. Do you have access to a scanner that can read data?

 

Thank-you for your reply,
the auto store sold me a brand called BWD?? for both parts. I do have an older obd ll reader and unfortunately it's not giving me any codes or I would look them up or have tried to post them.
Really stumped and don't have the extra money for a mechanic or tow to the shop. All I do really know is after installing the parts I have a really loud vacuum noise.

 

I should also add in not sure what a pcm is. Only thing disconnected or changed were the two parts and my battery.

 

The PCM is the computer mounted on the firewall of the truck. If you disconnected the battery while the parts were changed, that should have reset the PCM. The parts labeled BWD are made by Borg-Warner. My crank sensor was made by them and it has been working well for me.

 

If you let the truck warm up some, can you then put it in gear, without it stalling? Or can you 'two-foot' it?

 

Plenum been repaired?

 

If you have, what seems to be, a vacuum leak AFTER the IAC replacement, I would double check that. Make sure the gasket or o-ring (there seem to be 2 different styles) didn't plop off when you were installing it. Go from there...

 

Thank-you all so much!
to answer some responses, I can two foot it without it dieing. I do occasionally have to feather it and it revs really high. I don't know what the plenum is not that savvy sorry. I have discovered that on the throttle body near the back by the IAC is sucking ALOT of air in. My gasket on the throttle body is not an actual gasket ( looks like homemade from cardboard ). Would that possibly be the issue? Sorry only know how to do basic stuff on my truck but I totally appreciate all your help 😊

 

Yes, replace that throttle body gasket. That is likely a big part of the problem. Most decent parts stores should have them available.