Archived WTS light flashes, engine turns over but wont start

[BEnglish]

“98. 5 24v / 4x4 / auto

Saturday I pulled in the garage everything was fine.

I changed the heater core (went too easy, I knew something would go wrong), changed the trans fluid, and added a t/fluid temp sending unit and gauge. I also had both battery's disconnected and charged them separately sat and sun. when I hooked the truck back up, and turn the ignition, everything appears to be working (gauges and lights) except the “wait to start” light is flashing and the engine turns over but will not start.

I rechecked everything I could think of. Still the same problem. I can reset the ECM (undoing both bats and neg to pos) and just like the first time it takes a second before it starts flashing but otherwise it flashes as soon as I turn the key.

I appreciate any advice you can give, i need it to get to work, thank you,

Ben

 

[Bob Cochran]

DTC Codes will help a lot.

 

[BEnglish]

sorry, there are none.

i cant get it to do anything.

i have tried a bunch of times and it just stays on the numbers for the milage

and i dont have a reader, and there is no CEL if i leave the key on, but the WTS light still blinks

 

[GAmes]

It sounds like you may have messed up some wires when you dropped the dash or when you hooked up the temp gauge. I would undo the gauge first. If that doesn't solve the problem drop the dash back down and look for either loose or mangled wires.

 

[ph]

Before you drop the dash---a '98. 5 does not have the ability to display the DTC codes in the mileage window. Borrow a Smarty or find someone with a code reader. It might save alot of time and effort.

 

[BEnglish]

It sounds like you may have messed up some wires when you dropped the dash or when you hooked up the temp gauge. I would undo the gauge first. If that doesn't solve the problem drop the dash back down and look for either loose or mangled wires.

the trans temp sending unit is only three wires and i already checked them.

i will pull the dash all back apart if i have to, but when i had it leaned forward the first time and i looked behind there, i didnt see any wire or wire bundels that could get pulled out or messed up, its all attached to the dash.

 

[BEnglish]

Before you drop the dash---a '98. 5 does not have the ability to display the DTC codes in the mileage window. Borrow a Smarty or find someone with a code reader. It might save alot of time and effort.

i will see if anyone in my Jeep club has one

 

[BEnglish]

I just bought a code reader and read only one code: p-1694

I have the service manuals and the power train diagnostic procedures 1694 is no bus messages received from companion module.

Possible causes;

DRB not display bus operational

Ccd bus (+) open

Ccd bus (-) open

Ecm ground circuit open

Engine control module defective.

I have been having some issues ECM related, so I hope that’s not it. I will go check all the grounds again (already did that).

What is CCD BUS?

 

[BEnglish]

found out CCD is Chrysler Crash Detection. i checd the plug and it seems to be in there, anybody know how to test it?

ben

 

[BEnglish]

i have now pulled off and put dielectric grease on the three plugs on the PCM,ECM, and the plug for the CCD module (if its the small plastic box below and to the right of the steering colum?), i also ran a new 4 ga ground from the bat to the ECM (i know it gets its ground from the harness) all with no change.

gotta go to work now, guess i will pull the dash back off tomrrow

ben

 

[LandShark]

On a 1995 Ram, a flashing WTS light can mean that the PCM is toast. This is not described in any of the manuals, but was true on my truck. A new PCM fixed it.

 

[Bob Cochran]

Dang what was I thinking!!!!! I usually pay more attention.

Before you drop the dash---a '98. 5 does not have the ability to display the DTC codes in the mileage window. Borrow a Smarty or find someone with a code reader. It might save alot of time and effort.

 

[LVJUNIOR]

Did you check all of the fuses both under the hood and in the cab? When you hook the cables back up sometimes it sends a surge through the system. Hopefully if it did see a surge it popped a fuse in lieu of the PCM.

 

[BEnglish]

Did you check all of the fuses both under the hood and in the cab? When you hook the cables back up sometimes it sends a surge through the system. Hopefully if it did see a surge it popped a fuse in lieu of the PCM.

yes.

i also just pulled the dash and found nothing amiss

gonna check the ground to the ECM next

ben

 

[BEnglish]

ground to ECM is good (cavity 30 to ground=less than 10 ohms)

how do i test the ECM?

ben

 

[BEnglish]

OK so i found out what the CCD bus really is, and the reason i got that code is probably my reader's pins are not the same as the truck's.

just to be sure i took the conn from the ECM off again and checked the CCD bus (+) and (-) and they are both good.

how do i test the ECM and where is a good place to get a replacement fast?

ben

 

[Bob Wagner]

flashing wtsl usually means the ecm is blank. Try resetting the ecm by pulling the positives wires. Turn the key on and let it drain for an hour. Leave the KEY ON and reinstalll the positive wires.



This may help.

 

[BEnglish]

flashing wtsl usually means the ecm is blank. Try resetting the ecm by pulling the positives wires. Turn the key on and let it drain for an hour. Leave the KEY ON and reinstalll the positive wires.



This may help.

ok, i will try that when i get home

 

[Bob Wagner]

well????? whats the verdict?

 

[BEnglish]

WOO-HOO! It's fixed!

Thanks to everybody who offered help/suggestions.

Turns out is was the ECM. The tech at southern plains Cummins said it “lost calibration”. I saw it on the computer screen and there was nothing there. When he was done “recalibrating” (flashing) it, all the tables where there.

Cost $250 to get it “recalibrated”, or I could have paid 1400 for a reman/reflashed one. I told him I saw some on the interweb for 280 but I needed it running, so I took the reflash.

I don't think I want to keep running this ECM because I have had problems out of it before, and now that it is alive again, I am seeing an old problem (takes 20 seconds till the WTS light comes on, and will not start till it does).