Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Symptoms of a Bad Crank Sensor

[kdw75]

What exactly would one expect to see if the Crankshaft Position Sensor was bad? I am about convinced that the dealer gave me a defective one when my old one stopped working. When I took it in the truck worked fine but the tach kept dropping to zero. I get the truck back and I keep having surging at 1600 and 2100 RPM. Could a defective CPS do this?



Thanks,

Keith

 

[powerwagon440]

sounds like csp sensor to me! doing the same stuff my truck did changed it and havent had a prob since!

 

[24V-DSL]

Create your truck profile so people know what ya got.



The later 01-02 trucks do not have a crank position sensor, but instead have a cam position sensor, only, located underneath the VP44. Not sure what model year this change was made, but it's my understanding earlier 2nd gen's did have both a crank and cam position sensor. I know for sure my 01. 5 has only the cam position sensor. Not sure what the symptoms of a bad one would be.

 

[kdw75]

Hey power, do you mean the Cam Pos Sensor? Sorry, my truck is a '98. 5 with a 5 speed.

 

[24V-DSL]

kdw75

My apologies for not paying closer attention. I missed the point about already having it replaced. I am sure you do have both sensors. Just wish I could be of more help.

 

[powerwagon440]

sorry!! i mean crank sensor! truck would just rev up and down and the tach would go all over and then wouldnt work at all. asked a few ?'s go a new one took starter out changed it and havent had a prob sinces!



sorry ur having probs hasnt been a good couple of days with mine hopefully it will be fixed and finished tommorow!

 

[kdw75]

I posted earlier about this problem. You wouldn't believe the grief I have had since the dealer had my truck. After they worked on it and the surging started I took it back a week later and they said nothing had set any codes, but they agreed they could feel the surging. Then I tried to take it home and it started idling up to 2000 RPM then when you floored it the thing would loose power and go down to about 1400 RPM before surging up to 2100 RPM or so. That set a light and they diagnosed that I had a bad ECM!!! After two weeks to get the new one from Cummins and get it programmed and into the truck I get it back hoping that was the cause of the mild surging and of course it wasn't. :{

 

[PTroise]

I have gone through 2 crank shaft sensors on my 1998. 5 Dually. and yes,I had the same problems with the tach wondering all overtown. When the second one went the truck died on the interstate doing 70 MPH. Have a lot of readers had problems with this sensor.

 

[JCockrell]

CPS

kdw75,



I have the same year model. I also had a similar probelm. I ended up replacing both sensors for peace of mind. If the dealer truly replaced the Crank with a good sensor, replacing the Cam should solve the problem. My $ . 0001

 

[kdw75]

You had the surging problems on your truck and replacing those fixed it? Well, I guess I will replace the Cam sensor and see what that does. I hate to mess with it though after reading on here that it is a real bear to get to it. Just hope this fixes it. I have an appointment at Cummins on Monday if I can't fix it before then.



Thanks,

Keith

 

[JCockrell]

Slight surge with the tach bouncing all over the place.

Its a bear, but if you go in from the driver's side of the truck, it is easier on the hands than from the top.

Cover the fender with something to save paint. Belt buckle removal was necessary, in my case.

Almost forgot, be sure to put a little oil on the o-ring.

 

[JTBMC]

Jcockrell,

Did you get your sensors from Dodge or Cummins, I have no real noticeable tack bounce but it do often get the loss of RPM and then the gain of RPM surge, but only while towing and over 21 #'s of boost. How much do the sensors cost.

Thanks, TJ

 

[JCockrell]

tjlaffite



I got both sensors from Cummins, cheaper than Dodge. I do not remember the cost. I will look for the receipts when I get home this evening and then PM you the info.

 

[BStacy]

Surging

I have a 99 It started surging around the same rpm's that you are seeing the surging at. The tach went to 0 and then would bounce back and act normal. Stop the truck and the motor would rev up tach still at zero. Then would act normal with a good tach reading for a while and then do it all over again. ******* changed the crank sensor and my problem was solved. Check this out they say the reason the sensor went bad was due to crankshaft and/or main bearing wear. What the heck this truck only has 55,000 miles on it!! I guess if that's true I should get my motor replaced under my 7 year 100,000 mile extended warranty!

 

[kdw75]

Well, I got a Cam sensor and was going to put it in but ended up dropping the thing then stepped on it and broke the hold down tab on it!! Wonder if some type of plastic bond or glue would work to fix it? The cost was $40 roughly. My tach does bounce more than it used to and replacing the Crank sensor made the tach work but didn't help the bounce.



Keith

 

[tuffbee]

Create your truck profile so people know what ya got.



The later 01-02 trucks do not have a crank position sensor, but instead have a cam position sensor, only, located underneath the VP44. Not sure what model year this change was made, but it's my understanding earlier 2nd gen's did have both a crank and cam position sensor. I know for sure my 01. 5 has only the cam position sensor. Not sure what the symptoms of a bad one would be.

Hi 24V-DSL. I need your help. Can you at least lead me to a right path.
I have 2001 Dodge ram 2500 diesel 4x4. I bought crank position sensor. took of starter and hole were Crank position sensor should be is sealed. This is means I do not have this sensor? or it is in different location? or like you sad i have only camshaft position sensor. I have all the symptom described from above.

 

[DavidC]

Hi 24V-DSL. I need your help. Can you at least lead me to a right path.
I have 2001 Dodge ram 2500 diesel 4x4. I bought crank position sensor. took of starter and hole were Crank position sensor should be is sealed. This is means I do not have this sensor? or it is in different location? or like you sad i have only camshaft position sensor. I have all the symptom described from above.

2001 only has the cam sensor, no Crank sensor.

Dave