2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission No tach, check engine light on

[apkole]

After diagnosing (with the dealer tech's help) a failed alternator (lousy DC, the dumb thing only went 153,000 miles and four seasons of towing and snowplowing ) we got the truck up and running yesterday evening. After the 15 minute drive home, the driver called to say that the check engine light had come back on. Called the dealer tech this morning and he advised that the batteries were probably low, and that some highway driving would probably bring them back up.

The driver headed out to his day job this morning (about a 30 minute drive) and then drove back in to the city and home this evening. Advised that the check engine indicator remained on the whole time. All guages read normal, charge guage reads 14+. Less than a block from home the tach went away, and the truck started running funny.

We have no snow predicted for tonight, so the driver used another vehicle to retrieve the battery charger from the shop for an overnight charging session for the batteries. I'm going to call the dealer tech in the morning, but anybody want to jump in here? I've done a search, but charging problems which came up seemed to be related to the "undervalved" trucks.



Thanks,



Andy

 

[jpmutt]

sounds like a crank sensor to me.

 

[sfelts]

I have the same prob with my 97. the tac will come and go. I have a auto trans and it will down shift to D at 70 mph with 4:10s max speed in D is 60 mph. so you can imagen what hapens. If you find out what it is let me know. O I have new bats. and Alt reads 14+ will check the realy to see if that may be the prob.

 

[ndurbin]

sfelts, your's is a bit different from apkole as his is a 24 valve and yours is a 12. There are acouple things to check first off. Make sure the 120 amp fuse is good (located in the box just behind the drivers side battery), second check all the grounds and connections on the engine and to the engine RPM sensor (located at about 10-11 o'clock on the balancer). In the wiring for the RPM sensor there is a plug just infront and below the #1 valve cover check it to make sure it is clean and plugged in completely. If all the above checks out fine, check the clearence b/w the RPM sensor and balancer. should be . 49-. 51 and check it with a brass or other type of feeler gauge not a reg. steel one as it well damage the sensor.



Nathan

 

[AMartinson]

Recently had the same thing. The 2001's don't use the crank sensor, they have a cam sensor. It's a PITA to get at. Practically behind the VP.

 

[apkole]

Thanks for the input, guys.



Well, the truck is back running all A-OK. Got an invoice for replacing the crankshaft position sensor. Snow predicted and the '99 has a pretty heavy route, so big relief to have it back. Great dealer service dept. Quick, accurate diagnosis, parts in stock, competent techs, and done when promised. Doesn't get much better than that.



AMartinson, at what mileage did the sensor go on your 2001. Thanks for the heads-up.



Andy

 

[AMartinson]

70,000



NOT covered under the 100K engine warranty either for some reason. Hard to explain that one.

 

[sfelts]

not much is covered under the 100,000 mi. That goes wrong :{