I am doing a tune-up on my 2007 Dodge Dakota. I changed the crank shaft position sensor, and my check engine light blinked 3 times on two occasions this morning on the first drive. Truck has been maintained very well. Going to replace plugs today. Are there any other things I need to check. Could sensor be bad. BTW I only replaced the sensor because it wouldn't start right away unless I turned the truck over a couple times then turn the key back, and try to start again. It would then start right up. I didn't have this issues until I changed the sensor. Help please as I am not a certified mech and I cant afford to put in the shop. Is this an issue I can fix myself. Truck ran great tho.

 

do you have any codes to help us find what is causing the misfire?

To check your engine codes:
Turn the key to ON (not start), OFF, ON, OFF, ON and leave it there. If you look in the odometer window the codes will flash any code(s) with a small delay between each result. Each code should be in a P#### format and will say PDONE when completed - turn your key to OFF and remove.

 

I actually didn't know you could still get that without the light being on. I will go to autozone and check and could get back to you. Been driving it for a lil while in town today. Hasnt thrown the light at all, starts normally now.

 

So problem started after you changed the sensor. Was there a reason you changed it? Sometimes aftermarket sensors cause issues.

 

Well i was haveing trouble with it starting. Well just turning over and over. But once you click the ignition off amd try to start it, it would start after turning over just once. Well my shade tree mechanic friend suggested the crankshaft sensor. Now im back to it turning over and over. It hasnt put up another check engine light since first start up this morning. Starter and battery test fine. So i guess next move would be fuel pump? 🤷‍♂️ 🤷‍♂️ 🤷‍♂️

 

Thanks I did not know that you could do that without a code reader. I will check on it when i go on break and reply back.

 

I'm thinking that I need to take the crankshaft sensor out and have it replaced again.

 

Did you use an OEM sensor or an aftermarket one? Aftermarket (3rd party) sensors seem to only be temp fixes that sometimes only last a few months.

If it's your fuel pump, once you get it started it would run rough all the time. and you would definitelly get misfire and lean codes as the engine would be starving for fuel.

 

Autozone gave me a duracraft sensor. Starting issues have came back again. No check engine light. Apparently my mechanic friend used his OBD tester and cleared the codes yesterday. He said random misfire, but never mentioned hookin up to it.

 

Well then I have no idea unless I need to change take the sensor back. I have no issues with it being sluggish or starving for fuel. i have replaced camshaft sensor, crankshaft sensor. had battery and starter tested. I don't know whats left to check.