Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Getting Frustrated

[DWalters]

It is getting pretty cold up here in Alaska! The other day it was in the single digits and my truck was not plugged in. When I went out to start it it was a no go. I even cycled through and waited but it would crank and never start up. Then the check engine light came on and got he P1693 code. I went to have any other codes ran and got P0336 for the CKP. I just changed that out toward the end of this summer. Back to the starting, I have been getting really long starts, especially after work when it is not plugged in. I thought it was something else but could the crankshaft position sensor be causing this. I am now confused on what to do. Any help would be great, thanks.

 

[ScottLewis]

Several possibilities, including IAT sensor, fuel heater, heater grids, etc.

Once during an Icestorm in TX, I spent over 1/2 hour starting and re-starting before my '98 would leave the curb. I had bypassed the IAT and it couldn't tell the PCM how cold it really was.



Check to be sure grid heaters are working properly first, then go from there.



Dan

 

[JR2]

Howdy Neighboor, get your grid heaters checked out to make sure they are working. I guess you could have eaten another CKP sensor but hard starts are usually grid heater related.



For reference I started my 01 this AM at 4 deg and it took three tries to get it to run. I usually plug it in but I did not know I was going to need it.

 

[DWeiler]

Another vote for the "GRID HEATERS"----- Up here in the "Great White North" on the weekend(Sat night) it became fairly cold,i just got home from 14 hrs of driving+hunting--no luck. i was so dam tired to unload the quad trailer and quad, so i let her sit out overnight(probable the first time since i bought it--always put to bed in the garage). I woke up Sunday morning to crisp air and a frosty truck, the grid heaters took twice as long to go out before i turned the key---No Start on first try,second she fired right up and ran just like normal. As i walked away what caught my attention was the idle seem to climb---AH "SMARTY" ,i forgot all about the high idle feature,the Cummins kicked up to 1100RPM and purred their until i hit the brake pedal,back to normal. DW

 

[16919]

I had that problem too of hard starts, changed my batteries and fired up on the first try.

 

[NoSeeUm]

Sounds allot more like you need to keep it plugged in at night?



Jim

 

[DWalters]

Thanks for all the help guys, I am going to check out the Grid Heaters. I noticed this afternoon when I went to start it after being outside at work the wait to start light went out extremely quick considering the temp was in the single digits. It did start but took a good 3-4 seconds of cranking. I do plug the truck in at night but not at work. JR2, now I know who to call when I run into all this mess. Thanks guys.