So this is a long story. Idler pulley falls off while my son is driving, says dad the truck died...well yes it did. I replaced the pulley, then had issues with it not starting after that. Did the battery thing, checked for spark etc. One night it fired up but would then die, then wouldn't start again. So I towed it to mechanics place, he changes the crank sensor and says the PCM is bad (i had the P0601 code for a while prior to this so I figured okay, it's shot). Replaced the PCM and he still has issues with it not firing properly. He checked the alternator and said the amps/volts (sorry novice) were peaking at 20 and would then drop, figured that's what finally killed the PCM. Anyway, I go to pick it up after hours last night and it started fine, put it in drive and it dies!?!? Did the same thing a couple more times and finally wouldn't start at all...again! It's been at his place for a couple of weeks and the frustration is getting high. Any ideas?

 

Voltage regulator is in the PCM, so, changing the PCM *should* have dealt with that. Since it didn't, that leaves the alternator having issues. Over-voltage isn't kind to electronic parts. It's possible that it damaged the PCM.

Also, these trucks tend to dislike aftermarket sensors in critical locations. Crank sensor being right up there on the list...... A mopar crank sensor *might* solve your issue.... but, then again, it might not.

Need to know what's missing when the truck won't start. Do you actually get spark? What's fuel pressure look like? Is the throttle body really dirty? Has the plenum been fixed? When is that last time plugs/wires/cap/rotor were changed?

Welcome to DF!

 

dying only when put into gear or just at random? but still does not explain not wanting to fire up. could be a number of things. as HeyYou said gotta find whats missing. put a gauge on the fuel rail and see if the fuel is getting there. next you can put a spark light on the ignition coil going to the cap to check that. something is missing or it wouldnt be dead. dont want to be wasting money throwing parts. i have been there before.

 

I did the plenum fix in January, put on new distributor and rotor, plugs and wires at the same time, cleaned out the throttle body. Ran okay until all of this started happening about two weeks later.

It's at the shop now so I'm guessing they are checking all those items (fuel/spark). He originally said it wasn't getting spark so he changed the crank sensor.

Ryan0714- Last night it died when put into gear, then would start, cranks but won't start.

Thanks fellas!