Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Truck starts, stalls, and restarts easily. Runs great.

[dknoch]

Thanks for the info, didn't think the '02s had crankshaft sensors. I could take a look.

 

[JR]

At this point I think I would start looking for someone with a live scanner. Plugs into OBD port and start truck and look at sensors in real time, voltage, etc. Even if you had to pay a diagnostic fee its still better than throwing parts at it. And depending on what they find and if you decide to let them wrench on it, they will often times wave the fee.

 

[Sticks]

That is when the truck will not act up. As soon as the Mechanic comes to take a look at it, "Can not duplicate customer complaint".

Though I do agree - better to get a proper diagnosis than throwing parts at it until it goes away. I've had many people, my own mechanics in particular "think" a particular part is a problem, buy the part for them, and no change. Then they wonder why I come and verify their diagnosis on the next one they do.

Even when I worked at a shop occasionally a customer would drop off their truck, telling us to replace some high dollar part - no diagnosis ($140 fee) because they don't have the time or tools, and think they know what the problem is. I diagnose anyways and ask my foreman if he would like me to fix the actual problem before or after I perform the customer requested repairs.

 

[dknoch]

So if I get a mechanic to ride around with me everywhere I go, I shouldn't have any more problems. Any body recommend a shop in northeast ohio? Cummins says they don't have the software for the Dodges. Hesitant to go a dealer, mixed feelings and prices pretty high usually.
Thanks,
Dan

 

[JR]

Yes, Action Automotive in Wickliffe. They were referred to me when the PCM took a dump in my truck. Very small independent shop that specializes in diesel trucks. Most of what they work on are bigger trucks but they will work on anything. They were referred to me by a friend that owns a large transmission shop and he told me they are the best around, and they are 50+ miles from me. This was the first time I had ever let anybody work on my truck so I was a little skeptical but wasn't 100% sure the PCM was the culprit so I decided to give them a call. The truck was not drive able so they sent a flat bed out (actually were within 15 miles delivering another truck), picked mine up and called me the next day with the diagnosis. Took them 2 days to get the PCM and they programmed it and had the truck ready for me to pick up that day. They waived the diagnostic fee and the tow fee since they were in my area. It is a family owned buisiness and they seemed very honest to me.

 

[dknoch]

Is this them??? http://www.actionautoshop.com/

Thanks

 

[JR]

I wasn't aware they had a website, I looked up the number I had saved and it is different than what is posted on that website so I'm not sure to be honest. I just called the number I have to make sure it was a good number still as its been about 2 years since I dealt with them. I was surprised when somebody answered the phone, said he was not open but he was just doing some paperwork in the office so you may be able to call and set an appointment up if you try calling him directly but otherwise you'll have to wait until Monday to call them. Here is the number I have : 440-357-0776.

 

[dknoch]

http://www.actiontransmission.com/ Maybe these guys in Painesville. Has the same phone number. Perhaps they moved or combined service.

 

[JR]

That could very well be them. Now that I think about it, Painseville sounds right, not Wickliffe. I know the number I gave you is good, I recognized the guys voice as soon as he answered so give him a call and ask him where they're located.

Sorry for the confusion, this country boy don't get out too often.

 

[dknoch]

Thanks for the recommendation. Just wanted to confirm we were talking about the same place. I have been out your way before. I don't blame you for not leaving if you don't have to.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[JR]

No problem. Please let us know what you find, am interested in what is causing your problems.

 

[dknoch]

Yeah, I will. Hopefully it will help someone else down the road. I hate when reading pages of suggestions for an issue similar, only to end without knowing what it was.

 

[dknoch]

Well, dropped the truck off at Action. Hoping they can figure out whats wrong. Seems to be very nice people. Thanks for the refferal.

 

[JR]

Yes they sure seem like it. Typical small family buisiness.
Interested in what they find.

 

[dknoch]

Talked to them this morning, unable to find anything wrong at this time. They were going to keep checking and call me this afternoon. I left the Smarty programmer with them since it seems to make the problems more noticeable. Hoping they can figure out the issues.

 

[dknoch]

Well, not sure what to say. Truck is back from the mechanic and seems to be running fine, even with Smarty software. He said they ran diagnostics 5 times and he couldn't believe how perfect everything worked. He said based on the description of the symptoms he feels it is the ECM. They are looking for a replacement with the latest updates. On a side note, any ideas if the ECM would need a few starts to calibrate to a new Camshaft sensor? I will keep everyone updated if things change.

Thanks again for all the help and the shop recommendation, I will use them again if needed.
Dan

 

[JR]

Blame it on Sticks, he jinxed you on that one, LOL.
Hopefully things stay running well like they are, but unfortunately theyre probably right on their hunch. That or there is a bad spot in a harness somewhere making intermittent connections.

Fingers crossed!

 

[dknoch]

So far, almost good. Have not replaced the ECM yet, waiting to hear from the shop that diagnosed stuff. Truck has not stalled since the Camshaft position sensor was replaced. Now though, it will start and run fine if it is plugged in (sat for 40 hours and started fine). If it is not plugged in, it likes to crank a few extra times and sound like it is a lot colder than it is. I have checked the intake air heater, both elements seem to get hot, but not glowing red hot like I have seen in the pictures. Could it be warming up but not reaching the temps it needs? I don't have a heat gun to check it. I have also heard that batteries could be the issue, my batteries are about 3.5 yrs old and everything seems to crank fast. It is not a big deal, starts on fewer cranks than most gas cars, just not like it has for the past 12 years that I have owned it. Planning on putting the battery charger on it in the morning and trying to start it with the extra juice and see if it helps. I will update my findings. Any other ideas appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[JR]

Does it sound like it's not firing on all cylinders and throw a couple of puffs of white smoke when first started?

 

[dknoch]

Sounds to be running fine when it starts, does not sound like a miss of any thing, maybe takes a few seconds to smooth out to that perfect Cummins pur, but nothing that sounds like a miss. There is white out of the tail pipe, but it has been so cold, it is hard to tell if the white smoke is diesel related or just a white condensation. Wife's 2014 minivan has just as much white out of the tail pipe so it is hard to compare.