2nd Gen Ram Tech 1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.

Intermittent starting issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 08-17-2020, 03:59 PM
byronpen's Avatar
byronpen
byronpen is offline
Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Adrian MI
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Intermittent starting issue

Intermittent starting issue.
Starter battery fuel pump ignition coil all good hundred percent.

spark fuel air is all there.

I believe it’s a sensor issue. My scan tool is not picking up anything.

I’m thinking it’s the crankshaft positioning sensor. Due to the following

Will start up sometimes with no issue.

Other times it will crank crank and crank and hesitate to start. No will not start

I had identical issues on a car of mine and that was the sensor causing the problem.

what’s your opinion, could there be another sensor I should check
 
  #2  
Old 08-17-2020, 05:12 PM
HeyYou's Avatar
HeyYou
HeyYou is online now
Administrator
Dodge Forum Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Clayton MI
Posts: 81,498
Likes: 0
Received 3,269 Likes on 3,016 Posts
Default

See what's missing when it won't start. Spark, or fuel. Need to see if the fuel pump runs, and if you are getting injector pulse, if either is missing, it can point you in the right direction. Something else to check is, when it won't start, what temp does the PCM think the engine is?? The sensor hangs out in a rather unpleasant spot, and tends to get brittle, and fall apart. (as does the wiring connector to it....) an intermittent signal there would certainly give you some interesting problems.
 
  #3  
Old 08-17-2020, 05:51 PM
Packwood Digital's Avatar
Packwood Digital
Packwood Digital is offline
Professional
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Michigan
Posts: 245
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by byronpen
Intermittent starting issue.
Starter battery fuel pump ignition coil all good hundred percent.

spark fuel air is all there.

I believe it’s a sensor issue. My scan tool is not picking up anything.

I’m thinking it’s the crankshaft positioning sensor. Due to the following

Will start up sometimes with no issue.

Other times it will crank crank and crank and hesitate to start. No will not start

I had identical issues on a car of mine and that was the sensor causing the problem.

what’s your opinion, could there be another sensor I should check
CPS came to mind for me as well. When you say fuel pump is good we’re you referring to just hearing it pump or did you actually check the PSI at the rail?
 
  #4  
Old 08-17-2020, 07:38 PM
byronpen's Avatar
byronpen
byronpen is offline
Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Adrian MI
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have fuel to the rail
 
  #5  
Old 08-17-2020, 07:42 PM
HeyYou's Avatar
HeyYou
HeyYou is online now
Administrator
Dodge Forum Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Clayton MI
Posts: 81,498
Likes: 0
Received 3,269 Likes on 3,016 Posts
Default

What year is your truck? Does it actually have the pressure test port? I know advance has a pressure gauge they will rent.
 
  #6  
Old 08-18-2020, 01:25 AM
DerTruck's Avatar
DerTruck
DerTruck is offline
All Star
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 910
Received 101 Likes on 96 Posts
Default

Is there some temperature dependency ? Like it always starts in the morning but has issues after being parked for 15 min at the grocery store ?
 
  #7  
Old 08-19-2020, 11:24 AM
Anthony Brady's Avatar
Anthony Brady
Anthony Brady is offline
Registered User
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 18
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by byronpen
Intermittent starting issue.
Starter battery fuel pump ignition coil all good hundred percent.

spark fuel air is all there.

I believe it’s a sensor issue. My scan tool is not picking up anything.

I’m thinking it’s the crankshaft positioning sensor. Due to the following

Will start up sometimes with no issue.

Other times it will crank crank and crank and hesitate to start. No will not start

I had identical issues on a car of mine and that was the sensor causing the problem.

what’s your opinion, could there be another sensor I should check
​​​​​​I'm having the same problem but I live where it's 100+ in the mornings just fine no problem but during the afternoon after the engine cools down she just cranks and cranks. I've replaced everything fuel related and spark related besides new injectors
 
  #8  
Old 08-22-2020, 01:35 AM
BorisSWort's Avatar
BorisSWort
BorisSWort is offline
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Des Moines, WA
Posts: 3
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Same issue

I'm having the same issue, if the following additional info holds true as well. Temperature has no affect. After half an hour letting it rest after an unsuccessful attempt, it will start. Temperature gauge in cab is accurate.

1998 Dakota Sport 4x4 Extended Cab MT 318 ci
 
  #9  
Old 08-22-2020, 08:07 AM
Moparite's Avatar
Moparite
Moparite is offline
Grand Champion
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 0
Received 364 Likes on 342 Posts
Default

Does it have any codes? I found the crank sensor can be effected by temp. Back when i had the pos BWD brand sensor it would start to act up after 15 min of driving. Never acted up when cool. If it's not mopar or delphi sensor i would question it. Also may want to check if the ASD relay is engaging and giving power to the positive side of the coil. It also powers the injectors and 02's. Check it when cranking.
 
The following users liked this post:
BorisSWort (08-22-2020)
  #10  
Old 08-23-2020, 01:26 AM
Frank O'Connor's Avatar
Frank O'Connor
Frank O'Connor is offline
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Hey I know this is an old thread but I have a '95 5.9 that has a crank no-start issue at a very specific temperature. In the winter, it only does it after the engine has warmed up and cooled down to a very specific spot on the gauge. It will crank but not start unless I come back in another hour; then it starts right up.

This being the summer, it starts every morning but when I go to leave work, it won't, and the temp gauge is already up to that spot where it won't start. I've been able to get around this by pulling the doghouse and disconnecting sensors until it starts, with the check engine light on, but lately it seems to have been figuring this out and I've evolved into combinations of sensors unplugged until now where nothing will start it until the night falls.

I was told it had a "vapor lock" when I bought it but otherwise the engine runs fine and the trans still shifts great. Any ideas anyone?
 


Quick Reply: Intermittent starting issue



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:57 AM.