Check engine turned on and then engine shut off

Tiny
DEREK WILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 3.9L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 210,000 MILES
I was driving down interstate and check engine light came on. I pulled off and turned truck off. Checked everything over and filled up fuel. Got back on interstate and exactly 4 miles it was like I just turned the key off. It back fired 1 time while I was still coasting. Troubleshooting on road side I had a friend bring me a crank sensor and that’s where I made my mistake. I didn’t have my scanner with me and didn’t think about it at the time, but I unhooked they battery when I installed the sensor. So whatever code I had, I lost it. Long story short, 3 weeks later and it has not fired one time. I’ve replaced the cam and crank sensor, ignition coil, went through the PCM pin out, done compression test, checked the ASD circuit, have 50 psi fuel pressure when cranking, it drops immediately which I’ll fix it I don’t set it on fire first, checked plugs and wires, checked cap and rotor, swapped battery because at one time while troubleshooting I got a battery temp sensor code, I have my battery voltage on back of the alt for the 1 second when key turned on and while cranking, also have that at coil and injectors, have 5v at the cam and crank sensors and pulse. Am not however getting the no com message in dash, otherwise I’d think the PCM is faulty. However I cannot get my scanner completely work. It connects, says no codes which there aren’t, but it won’t read VIN or sensors. It will read the coolant temperature and air temperature and atmospheric pressure but that’s it.
Thursday, August 13th, 2020 AT 2:53 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

Go to the ignition coil and do some testing.

With the key on, there should be power to the positive side of the coil. Use a test light and verify the same voltage on the negative as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

If you have voltage at the negative side, have someone crank the engine and the test light should flash. If it does the ECM is commanding spark from the coil.

If it does not then you have a bad ECM. That is the ignition module.

When you crank the engine, do you get an RPM signal on your scan tool? That will tell you if the crank sensor is working.

Roy
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Friday, August 14th, 2020 AT 5:46 AM
Tiny
DEREK WILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Are you referring to a inline spark plug tester or a electrical test light/probe?
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Friday, August 14th, 2020 AT 6:04 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
A test light. You will be doing a low voltage test.

The inline spark tester looks for spark from the coil.

Roy
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Friday, August 14th, 2020 AT 6:10 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,922 POSTS
Overlooked one detail. You will only have 12 volts on the ignition coil, or the same-colored wire at every injector, for one second when the ignition switch is turned on, then it will go back to 0 volts. That tells you the Engine Computer has control of the automatic shutdown, (ASD) relay, and is turning it on. What is important in the test ASEMASTER6371 described is that 12 volts must come back during engine rotation, cranking in this case.
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Friday, August 14th, 2020 AT 5:12 PM

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