I hope it wasn't the same mech that suggested the glow plug relay. How does a part involved in starting, shut down the engine that doesn't have an ignition?

Don't know, just learning as I go along. It was a Mech at work, a lead wrote the part on a piece of paper for me, maybe he wrote the wrong one. They told me about a sensor located on the lower left front of the engine, is that the crankshaft sensor or the camshaft sensor.

I was wondering if this problem would show up on an engine diagnostic test.

The camshaft sensor which has another name that I can't think of, is a common replacement on the 7.3L PS.

quote:

Originally posted by Kenny:
I was wondering if this problem would show up on an engine diagnostic test.

Kenny .. I don't know specifics on your truck. So Can't tell you if it's a cam or crankshaft position sensor. I would be surprized if it were a cam shaft sensor unless your engine had varible cam timing. I would think the engine would want to have the highest precision when injecting fuel... So I would guess crankshaft position is sensed.

I would think a scope could detect problems with the position sensor. But your problem is intermitant. Very few instruments can find something that's NOT there.

Where is the crankshaft sensor located? I will replace it and see what happens.

quote:

Originally posted by Kenny:
Where is the crankshaft sensor located? I will replace it and see what happens.

You'll have to ask someone where & how...
Good luck... Hope you get it fixed, Let us know how you're doing with the truck..

As I recall it's on the front near the water pump. It's a cam shaft sensor, has to do with injector timing. I'll try to get Jake to come on and get specific.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MrTruck,

The CMP sensor, also known as the camshaft position sensor, is very common on the 7.3's, in fact, I carry a spare with me. Some symptoms are cranking and not starting, intermittent stalling, etc. Very well could be what you're experiencing. They cost around $150 at the dealer. It is located just above the crankshaft pulley on the right (passenger) side. Unplug the sensor and remove the 10 mm bolt then pry the sensor out with a prybar. Other possiblilties are a loose aftermarket chip. To check this you would have to remove the inner fender skirt on the driver's side and to access the pcm. The pcm has a large connector going straight into the firewall. loosen and remove that connector then take loose the bolts on the top and bottom and the pcm will slide foreward. push the front up as it hits the fender then you can take it out from below. If there is a chip installed, you will see it on the back of the pcm, they are usually taped in place. if there isn't a chip, you'll just see a black plug on the back. I would check that first, expecially if the truck is new to you. I've seen several people with this problem that swear the truck is not chipped only to find that it is and that the chip is working loose.
Good luck!

The truck is a 95 with 236k on it, it ran great up until about 4 months ago when this problem started. I've never owned a diesel before but I'm not to bad of a mechanic when I figure things out, just need a place to get started, so thanks for the info. I found a cam shaft sensor that was made for my year truck and engine number on ebay for $69 plus shipping, and said it was new, I was just waiting to make sure about how a bad cam shaft sensor actually affected the engine.

That's a VERY good price! If it curesyour roblem, buy another for a spare.

Replaced cps about three weeks ago, truck has been running with no problems, thanks for your advise.

Kenny ... Glad you got your PS problem fixed. Thanks for getting back to us.

Seems a friend's powerstroke is starting down the same path as your's. Just as I got my rig to them at the side of the road, it started up again. If their truck cuts off again, I'll suggest they look into replacing the cam shaft sensor too.

I am curious to what you find out. I have a '97 Powerstroke that is a dog. It is hard on fuel and with the gears it has in the rearend should be a power truck. The problem is it isn't--how do I know that my turbo is running? The truck starts ok and runs ok but it just does not have much power.