I have a 1999 3500 4x4. 24v cummins, 73,000 miles. The check engine light is on and the tach will drop to 0 while running and it appears to lose power. All other gauges read properly. Any help before it goes to the dealer? Thanks folks.

 

Nascar, <br><br>Sounds like CPS (Crankshaft Position Sensor), I had your exact symptoms when mine went out. $70 part at the dealer, around $40 at a Cummins supplier. There is a tech article on this site on how to replace. About an hour job.<br><br>That would be my guess...<br><br>Jim<br>

 

Thanks Jim, that's interesting because I had it at the dealer about 3 weeks ago to have the starter replaced. Coincedence?

 

Nas - That just fuels my anti-trust in the dealers. When mine went out even though I was 99% sure it was the CPS, I took it to the dealer just to put it on the diagnotic machine ($35) for confirmation. Well, they confirmed it and said it was $275 to replace. It's an easy job took about an hour taking my time. I bet I could do it in 20 minutes next time. The most difficult part of the job is removing the starter. Once you drop the starter it's 2 minutes to replace the sensor.<br><br>What really bugged me about the dealer was why this wasn't covered under the engine warranty? The CPS bolts right to the block and is an integral part in the proper operation of the engine. In hind sight I wish I would have asked for the service manager or even called Dodge to find out how an engine part is not considered part of the engine warranty?<br><br>Anyway, I have read here where some have taken the CPS out and cleaned it thoroughly and put it back in with some success. My recommendation is if you are pulling the starter and can get one at a Cummins dealer, just replace it.<br><br>Good Luck

 

Nas - You might check the CPS wiring harness maybe they bumped it when they replaced the starter. ???

 

You folks at this site are GREAT! I posted my problem on another website this past Monday. Not the first response, I posted on this web site and got my answer within 30 minutes. Thanks for everything!!