Purchasing a used truck for a steal is exciting, but it often comes with unforeseen challenges. My recent acquisition, an ’01 model for just $4000, was no exception. Shortly after buying it, I encountered a concerning issue: the engine would randomly die while driving, particularly when cresting hills and letting off the gas. My initial thought was a faulty Crankshaft Position Sensor (CPS), which I promptly replaced. However, the problem persisted, recurring within minutes of driving after the replacement. For weeks, roughly 2,500 miles, I navigated this frustrating on-and-off engine issue, hoping to pinpoint the root cause. That’s when I decided to invest in an OBD2 scanner, hoping it would shed light on the mystery.
While waiting for the scanner to arrive, more electrical quirks surfaced. One day the power window would refuse to operate, only to work perfectly the next. The radio developed a mind of its own, randomly switching on and cycling through stations. Then, the inevitable happened again. As I crested another hill, the truck died. This time, simply shifting to neutral and cranking the engine wouldn’t restart it. I was stranded and had to call for a tow back home. The engine would crank strongly, but it just wouldn’t start.
Finally, the OBD2 scanner I ordered arrived: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UJV3E12/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Eager to diagnose the issue, I plugged it in. The scanner powered on and began its diagnostic process, attempting to read trouble codes. I could hear clicking sounds from under the hood and bizarrely, the windshield wipers started cycling on and off erratically. Just as the scanner seemed about to complete its scan, the screen went blank, displaying no error codes whatsoever. Frustratingly, subsequent attempts to reconnect the scanner proved futile; it wouldn’t even power on or establish a connection. To add insult to injury, now the truck wouldn’t even crank! Turning the ignition key resulted in complete silence, despite a healthy battery. It seemed like the scanner had somehow exacerbated the problem.
At this point, I’m suspecting a deeper electrical issue, possibly within the Engine Control Module (ECM) or the wiring harness itself. Before I jump to replacing expensive components, I’m seeking advice on a logical troubleshooting sequence. My current plan is to first tackle the wiring harness, followed by the ECM if necessary. If those steps don’t yield results and I’m still unable to pull any diagnostic codes, I might resort to seeking professional help from a mechanic. Before that, perhaps a bit of contemplation and online research is in order.
Has anyone experienced similar electrical issues or have a recommended order of operations for troubleshooting this? Any guidance on diagnosing whether the wiring harness or ECM is the culprit would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any insights.
