[Ctfxr3]

I know I'm going to catch a lot of heat for this and yes i have spent the last 3 days reading posts and searching forums and still can't find a concrete solution. I picked up a 95 auto trans today and am having a similar OD issue but it has a few added elements I haven't seen anyone else post about. My symptoms are check engine light will blink then go out, tach bounces around then dies, and the OD won't work and the cruise control won't work. Previous owner says it only happens in hot weather and has never happened in the winter. From what I read, thinking it could be temp sensor, it seems most people experience the issue when it's cold not in the heat? He also said sometimes even if the truck was parked in direct sunlight on a hot day it would happen immediately? I'm thinking its got to be temp or heat related, he said a diesel mechanic told him to replace the ECM.

Went on a half hour test drive yesterday and it was fine, today it was about 10-15 degrees warmer60-65F) and it happened on the way home. He's already done the alternator and CPS. Also a manual switch in the cab But OD does not engage with the switch it just feels like its not revving as high with the switch on. Sorry I'm a cummins newbie (coming from a twin turbo audi, way different animal). I got a smoking deal on the truck and bought it because i need to rip my other car apart and rebuild turbos and heads, but im worried I just walked into another nightmare. Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[country_hick]

Check to see that the wire connectors are clean. One person used dielectric grease on the connections and that solved the problem. Also, use a brass feeler gauge to set the gap.

Make sure the gap is correct.

You could have a broken or corroded wire or connector. The ESS is the only thing that tells the PCM the engine is running. Without that input the cruise control and overdrive never think to come on for a non-running engine.

 

[Ctfxr3]

Thank you! I will check the things mentioned out tomorrow am. My biggest concern is knowing if it is actually fixed or not since previous owner said his experience with the issue depends on outside temp.

 

[country_hick]

It is possible that the ESS is heat sensitive. While a good electronic part does not normally object to temperature a failing one can react badly when it gets to a certain temperature. Sometimes electronics hate getting warm. Strange things can happen with electronic parts.

 

[Ctfxr3]

Is it normal that the ESS look like this? To me it almost looks glued, thought it was wet at first. Really didn't have too much time to fool with the truck today, in the middle of moving into a new house. I did locate the ESS and try to follow the wires before ripping things apart. I will pull the sensor and check wires and grounds tomorrow.

Previous owner claims the Crank position Sensor had been replaced to try and fix this issue already, along with alternator. Should I rule out the ESS?

 

[dauntless89]

Looks bubba'd to me. I'd get a new one.

 

[Ctfxr3]

Talked to a reputable local shop who seemed to rule the ess out...anyone have any other ideas? They said it sounds more like a bad/grounding wire somewhere but wouldn't get into too much detail as I'm sure they wanted me to pay them to fix it. I suck with electrical, so I am hesitant to start playing with wires.