Check the voltage going TO the crankshaft position sensor, if is below spec the the computer is to blame. If the voltage is too low coming from the sensor the computer shuts off the spark. I had the same problem with my 96 Dodge V6 during cold weather (below 32F). If I left the key on the comp would warm up and the voltage would increase over a period of time (15 min) to the required voltage to start the truck.
most crank sensors are for engine timing with the cam shaft, the distributor on at least 97' dodge and newer controls fuel timing.
If it is a 2.0 or 2.4 you don't ....The timing is controled by the crank and cam sensors and not adjustable....
Inside the distributor.Inside the distributor.
Inside the distributor
The "crank" sensor is the pickup plate under the distributor cap.The "crank" sensor is the pickup plate under the distributor cap.
Crank on tdc#1. point rotor in distributor at the line on the pick up plate.Crank on tdc#1. point rotor in distributor at the line on the pick up plate.
It is not "timed", the distributor is zeroed or synced to the crank with a scan tool.It is not "timed", the distributor is zeroed or synced to the crank with a scan tool.
It does not have a crank sensor, it only has the "pick up" plate in the distributor.
Inside the distributor.
No crank sensor, just the pick up plate in the distributor.
I have a 98 Jeep Wrangler that kept generating a timing problem codes, after changing the crank sensor and timing module in the top of the distributor, I took it in and they changed out the distributor and stopped the check engine light from coming on. The CPU timing specifications are so tight that a little wear in the distributor shaft starts throwing codes out. It ran fine just kept throwing codes, a rebuilt distributor fixed it.
if it backfires when driving most crank sensors cause this