elijah123

The powertrain diagnostics manual is a separate book that goes hand in hand with the FSM. ive gone ahead and dropped the cash on a physical copy and a digital copy. When i receive it, ill include a link to it in case someone wants it. Yes, the reference in there to testing the ESS is originally what clued me in to its existence but there are multiple places in the FSM where it references the powertrain diagnostics book. Im a sucker for having a full set of manuals for a thing. I even printed out the FSM in its entirety on my old laserjet (all 1984ish pages!) because I'd rather thumb thru paper than a pdf. At any rate, thanks for the reply. Tomorrow starts the weekend. Time for more wire troubleshooting.

ive signed up. Can you tell me where the powertrain diagnostics manual is hiding? I cant find it in the downloads area.

Recently given a 1996 Ram 2500 12 valve 2wd automatic. Its got a few problems with it: Its in limp mode. 3rd only unless you manually shift. No tach. No speedo. No wait to start indicator. I assume no grid heaters are working because the truck doesnt feel like its cycling them when its cold enough for it. Voltage runs a bit high. Like 15-16.5 volts and it fluctuates in that range. Lights follow voltage fluctuations. It has an external voltage regulator so at some point it has had PCM related charging issues. No MIL. OBD ii doesnt want to work but it may be directly related to the fact that my scan tool is a 25 dollar special from a local autoparts place. Once in a while the tach will flick up to a few hundred rpms when you start it but it drops back to 0 within a quarter of a second-ish. ASD relay is missing and has been jumpered. Unless im mistaken the ESS needs 5v reference? I cant remember what it was when i checked at its connection but i want to say it was less than 2v with key on. backprobing pins A4 (sensor gnd) and A17 (5v reference) gives me no voltage reading. Probing A32/A31 (its just listed as ground in the FSM) and A17 gives me 1.75v. A22( fused battery) to A31/32 gives me 12v so i do have power to the PCM, correct? I haven't gotten any further than that due to time constraints and prior engagements so what I've verified stops there. Is it possible that the internal voltage regulator going bad caused the PCM to let out the magic smoke and my problems lie there? I need to replace engine/battery hot/grounds and that may alleviate my voltage fluctuations. How often do those bolt-on external regs go bad? I've got the Service Manual printed out in its entirety and am currently trying to track down a powertrain diagnostics manual to boot, if there's one to be had. They're pricey on Ebay used for my budget. Any leads on other things to look for? Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have to get to bed soon so i may not respond for some hours but i will respond eventually. Thanks much.

Thank you very much. Ill be making a post here shortly with all the pertinent info ive got. Currently getting the youngsters ready for bed.

Hi. First post, though ive been lurking a while. Im trying to get my hands on a pdf copy of the powertrain diagnostics manual for a 96 2nd gen 12 valver. I am trying to avoid the 100 dollar cost involved in purchasing a used manual if at all possible. I have a pretty limited budget. thanks, and if this isn't the proper forum or way to all about them please let me know and I'll edit/remove this post.