2001 Dodge Truck

Did you remove the crankshaft position sensor first? It sits on top of the bell housing, passenger side. The air gap is critical. There are two styles of sensors. Original ones used a thick paper spacer stuck to the end to set the gap. It slides off when the engine is started, and is done doing its thing. To reinstall that type, get a new spacer from the dealer. Some aftermarket replacement sensors use a plastic rib molded onto the end to set the gap. It partially wears away when the engine runs. To reuse that type you must cut the remaining rib off and use the paper spacer.

If you just shove the sensor in without any spacer, it will likely hit the flywheel / flex plate and be broken. Pulses from this sensor and the one in the distributor are needed for the Engine Computer to turn on the automatic shutdown relay during engine rotation, (cranking or running). The ASD relay sends current to the injectors, ignition coil(s), alternator field, oxygen sensor heaters, and fuel pump or pump relay.

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