Give me a quick refresher on what all you have changed so far, and part brand.

I don't think having the *wrong* PCM would give the symptoms you are seeing, should be an all or nothing type of affair. (either it works, or it doesn't, nothing in between.)

Still losing spark?

 

Put in BWD distributor cap and rotor. Won't start. Pulled plug to watch spark and it doesn't look too strong and after a couple of attempts there is no spark at all that I can see. Could be the distributor pick up failing? I put in a new one a couple of weeks ago and it was MASTERPRO from Orielly. The cheapest one (now have learned it could be a crap part). Gonna go and try to switch it out for a BWD today. I can't afford the $106 MOPAR pick up at the moment...

HeyYou: I have changed only the following:

Crank position sensor - MOPAR
Ignition Coil - MOPAR
Dist Cap - BWD
Dist Rotor - BWD
IAC - BWD
Ditsributor pick up - Masterpro

Previous owner changed:

Ignition wires - brand unknown
Inline Fuel Filter - brand unknown
TPS - brand unknown
Starter - brand unknown
Dropped and cleaned tank.
Cleaned throttle body.

Someone else changed the OEM PCM to a Cardone reman for a 5.9L 1500. Previous owner knows nothing about that.

I tested fuel at rail a couple weeks ago and it was perfect during driving, idle, and 10 mins after.

 

Forgot to tag you. See post above. Thank you

 

The sensor in the distributor is cam position sensor. it controls injector timing, has very little to do with ignition. I *think* the PCM will still fire the coil if it is getting crank sensor signal... but, not 100% on that. You can change it out, and see what happens.

 

​​​​​​​Just put in the BWD distributor pick up and it still wouldn't start. I went over to the engine bay and banged on the PCM with the rubber grip end of some wire strippers and it started up but the idle doesn't sound too great. WTH?? It idled for about 8 mins and then I turned it off and cycled the engine running and then off 3 times. Fired up every time. Im going to let it sit and see if I can duplicate the no start and then bang on PCM again to get it to start. Any ideas???

 

Begins to sound like a failed PCM..........

 

Im starting to think that more and more...

I just went out to the van. Started it up and it fired up fine but is not idling very well. I let it idle for 20 mins while I looked through this forum. Decided to drive it up and down my parking garage. As I was going down and turning the corner (holding brake and turning hard) it died. Got it to fire back up and turned around to drive back up 2 floors to my spot. Died again after turn around. Got out and banged the PCM with rubber and it fired up again. Got a little more up the ramp and died again. Tried banging on the PCM again and nothing... Pulled center wire on dist and had no fire. Let it sit for 2 mins and tried again. No fire. Fuel pump priming just fine. Starter working awesome. No fire to plugs or even center coil. Kept trying for another 5 mins and had to call the wife to steer while I pushed it into a safe spot. All electronics work. Fuel pump primes. No spark. Codes are 12, 37, and 55 (same as always). What could cause this? ASD relay? PCM? Battery? Alternator? I had the batt, starter, and alt tested at 2 diff autozones and they said all good... Battery is from 9/16. This stuff is really throwing me for a loop. Took the PCM off and confirmed its a cardone reman with incorrect model for my van. It doesnt look that great inside. Alot of little cracks in the insulation/glue looking stuff.

UPDATE: Let the van sit for 5 hours. Went out to start it and it started up and runs. Mysteriously have spark now.

 

Replace the PCM.......

 

So I put in the A1 CARDONE PCM #79-8267 this morning. I ran the van up and down my parking garage for about 10 mins with no problems. I was nervous but I ran it down the street and back maybe 6 times (total 2 miles) and it seems like it is running normal. The key dance still gives code 37 but that is another issue in itself I guess. Everything seems good at the moment. I was trying so hard to not think that the PCM was failing! Once it stops raining I'm going to take her out on the highway and run at least 10 miles and see what happens. I'll keep you guys updated! Thanks again for everyone's help!

 

UPDATE: I have put about 75 miles on the new PCM now and everything seems to be running just fine. The trans has slipped 3 times during the last 75 miles but im guessing that is just the computer learning again as it slipped on awkward braking-to-acceleration. I hope this post helps anyone in need! I'm sure glad it seems like the faulty PCM was my problem. I wish I would have changed the PCM first thing but I wanted to be more sure that it was the problem before I put that expensive of a part on. And hey, I got some MOPAR parts in the process so she should be running well for quite some time now.