sjester

I've read about every thread I could find on engine speed sensors (ess) and have not found this one. I experienced losing the tach, ac, alternator charging, etc., etc. Checked the wiring on the engine speed sensor pigtail (which looked good) and decided to replace the sensor. This worked, briefly. The functions would come in and drop out after about 20 minutes. I checked the voltages when the system was not functioning and got the correct voltages with a probe. I took a close look at the female part of the connector. Looking down into the connector, the female sockets look cracked and out of round. I messed with the sockets with some small needle nose pliers and the tach etc. flickers on then off. Thinking I've found the problem, I called first Cummins then Dodge about a female part of the connector and was told that it is not a replaceable item. They offer a rebuild kit for the 1997 up connector but not for the 1995. Cummins said I could come by and they would go through their bins but not hopeful. I'm thinking of either using individual shrink wrapped connections on each pole of the three pole sensor connection or finding a three wire weather tight connection and cutting the plug ends off both and rewiring with a new connection. Has anyone had the female end of the engine speed sensor connection fail and if so how did you resolve the issue?

And by the way the sensor began feeding the PCM about the time I got to the dodge house 40 miles away and has worked for the last 60 miles flawlessly.
Thanks and take care

gmctd

Hit your local boneyards and find a suitable substitute - check wiring harnesses in gasser versions, as well.........gassers - patooie!

Totallyrad

I think most folks don't have connection issues. The problem is usually located on the block. It only takes a very tiny pin hole to cause the wire to ground out causing a loss of function. On my 93 the hole was located where the wire turned down from the top of the block toward the sensor. It took me three tries to find it.

sjester

I went over the wires pretty good. My harness does not come in contact with the block or head except where the connector itself is bolted on. They were covered with electrical tape and it was still intact and showed no signs of excessive heat. I pulled them all out of the harness and seperated them and held them away from the block and other metal, checked voltage all OK plugged back in and no function. I've seen the 97 connector at least and it is much different from the 95, a robust weather tight connection. The 1995 looks more like something you might find on a vintage Am radio. If I do go with replacing the connection with whatever I'll replace most of the wire coming out of the main harness anyway.