1995 Dodge Truck maybe timing

Tiny
CARRON35
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 DODGE TRUCK
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 18,000 MILES
I drive a 95 dode ram 4x4. It is a 5.9. I was driving about fifty and it suddenly lost power. I thought it was maybe the distributor or possibly the spark plug wires but I changed everything even the coil. Could it possibly be the timing and if so how do I fix the timing?
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 AT 1:49 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
Timing doesn't change while you're driving. Plus, it's not adjustable. It's controlled by the Engine Computer which gets pulses from the crankshaft position sensor.

By "lost power", do you mean the engine stopped running or it just didn't have as much power as normal? If it stopped running, check for diagnostic fault codes memorized in the Engine Computer. Those codes will lead you to the circuit or system with the problem, not necessarily the defective part.

Caradiodoc
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Friday, March 12th, 2010 AT 1:57 AM
Tiny
CARRON35
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Yes it it stopped running. No engine power. I ran the obd system and it came up 37, from what I have read that is torgue converter clutch solenoid. Now does that mean I need to change the solenoid? Or is my torgue converter bad. Somone said somthing about the nutreal solenoid or somthing it wont start because the tranny doesnt say it is in neutral. Could that be it? Im lost I have spent about 200 on it already. Thanks.
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Thursday, March 25th, 2010 AT 1:59 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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This has nothing to do with the torque converter or any part of the transmission if the engine quit running while driving on the highway. For that to happen, you had to lose fuel pressure, spark, both of them at the same time, or compression. Spark plug wires didn't jump out and change positions, and the distributor didn't loosen up and turn by itself, so don't get wrapped up in looking for that kind of stuff.

Unless I missed it, you didn't say if the engine has ever started again since this happened. If it hasn't, I assume it cranks ok. Clear that up if I'm wrong. If I'm right, don't go throwing parts at it without diagnosing the problem first. Every part you replace or anything you change introduces another variable that could add an additional problem or cover up an important clue.

The most common failures while driving are the crankshaft position sensor and the camshaft position sensor. Typically they will work again once they cool down, but they can fail permanently. When they fail, the Engine Computer does not know the engine is rotating so it turns off the Automatic Shutdown (ASD) relay. That relay removes voltage from the ignition coil and fuel pump or pump relay, so you will have no spark AND no fuel pressure.

The misleading thing about checking for loss of fuel pressure is the pump will still run for one second after you turn on the ignition switch. That one second is normal, and is enough to make it appear you have pressure. What is important is if the pump starts running again when the engine is being cranked. It can be hard to hear, so it's easier to take voltage readings. There are a number of things on the same circuit that are easier to measure than the fuel pump.

Use a test light or a cheap digital voltmeter to check for voltage on either of the two small wires on the back of the alternator. You should see voltage there for one second after a helper turns on the ignition switch, then it will go to 0 volts. The voltage must come back during engine cranking.

Caradiodoc
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Thursday, March 25th, 2010 AT 3:16 PM

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