So I've been working on restoring my 2000 1500 with the 5.9l magnum for the better part of this last year, and finally have everything installed and good to go, or so I thought. I can get the engine to turn over and idle, but the second I try to give it any throttle it chokes and dies. I took off the air cleaner and sprayed some starter fluid into the throttle body to see what it did and it had a similar result, so I'm thinking I have some issue with the air/fuel mixture. I also checked for a vacuum leak around the intake manifold with the starter fluid and it didn't appear to be the issue. I've double checked the gaskets on the throttle body and sensors, replaced one I thought looked a bit worn on the TPS, but otherwise I have no idea where there could be an issue besides the plenum. I bought the Hughes engines plenum upgrade kit and installed it per the instructions, and while I was inspecting the throttle body I looked into the intake manifold and the plenum looked clean so I don't think there's a leak. I thought it might be possible I have some dead o2 sensors, so I replaced all four of them to no avail.

Practically everything in the engine compartment except for the brake booster and master cylinder is brand new.

Anyone have any ideas as to what I can do?

 

Generally, that's a sign of a failing crank sensor. Was the engine taken out at any point? Or the trans? Are you getting any codes??

 

The engine currently in the vehicle is a remanufactured unit from Fraser; the original bit the dust about 50 miles after I purchased the vehicle and the trans is the original but I've replaced all the sensors/solenoids. Unfortunately the check engine light isn't on and my scan tool doesn't detect any codes.

I purchased a brand new crank sensor from Autozone which has a lifetime warranty so I supposed I could try just returning the current one and swapping it out.

Thanks for the reply!

 

The aftermarket sensors tend to cause more problems than they solve, get a refund if you can, and buy a genuine mopar sensor. Yes, they are more expensive, but, they actually work properly. The same cannot be said for the majority of the aftermarket fellers......

 

Did you set the fuel sync?

 

I ordered a genuine sensor and it should be here within a week; I'll update this thread once I get it in and see if that was the issue.

 

By setting the fuel sync you mean dropping the distributor in at TDC while the rotor is pointed towards the #1 cylinder, as well as the little slot at the bottom of the distributor shaft pointing towards the #1 cylinder?

 

That would be it. Just need to be sure #1 was actually in firing position, and not #6. That should get it close enough to run at least.

 

Okay thank god haha, I thought there was something else I potentially missed. I'm fairly certain it's in the correct position since the first time I dropped it in I believe I was 180* off (so pointing to #6) and boy did that thing backfire like hell, whereas now it'll at least idle, even if it does take a few seconds to get going.

 

Like this...