Question

Just installed a newly rebuilt 5.2 in my 2001 Ram 1500. Basically I put $4000 into a $2000 truck. Oh well, its a toy.

Everything is new except the alternator. Truck runs and drives, but havent set fuel sync yet. Plug in my scanner, at idle it shows timing fluctuating up and down anywhere from approx 10 degrees to 20 degrees. However, truck idles smooth and gives no indication of a problem. If I take it for a test drive and keep a constant RPM/speed, it shows normal timing with no fluctuation.

I took the truck to a local shop to get the fuel sync set. They said the fluctuating timing at idle is a problem and wouldn't proceed with the fuel sync.

Is this normal?

 

How is your crank sensor? How old? What brand?

 

Watch the timing with a timing light on #1 plug wire. I did this before and it should stay the same until you raise the rpm. Did you set the dizzy like this? This will get it in the ball park.

 

yes i set it that way. Set #1 cyl to TDC, rotated crank until timing mark on balancer lined up on timing cover mark; set oil pump shaft slot pointing to #1 cyl, dropped in distributor per your above picture.
The CPS is actually my 2nd one. The first ine died after 1 test drive....i think it was Airtek or some cheapo brand. The one currently in truck was a spare, but no marking on it saying who made it.

 

May wanna spend the money, and get one from the dealer.

 

Just got back from dealership with an official Mopar $95 crank sensor, will put it in (weather-permitting) and followup with results.

Thanks for feedback so far

 

Ok after a long week of pre-holiday rushing around, I finally had a chance to work on the truck. Put in the new OEM crank sensor, truck ran so bad I couldn't get out of my neighborhood (misfiring, lack of power, code 0132.)

Put in a new NGK pre-cat o2 sensor, same code. Cleared codes with the sensor, ran it again today (didn't drive it). Same thing. Popped the 0132 code again and scanner shows spark advance fluctuating from 7.5 to 20 degrees and anywhere in between. If I hold the RPM to over 1200rpm the spark adv stabilizes.

Truck also has developed a slight-but-noticable rough idle, so I suspect a misfire maybe from spark plug wires touching somewhere. I printed out the Dodge TSB how to route wires today, will do that soon.

Any other thoughts?

 

P0132 1/1 O2S Shorted To Voltage

That's likely a wiring problem. Gonna have to trace the wires, see if you can find it. Does the truck run any better with the sensor unplugged?