intermittent starting clarification question

[saewoody]

I know this has been a popular topic lately, and I have also done a lot of searches on the topic, but I have read so much information that I am having trouble keeping it straight.

This is my question: When the engine cranks, but won't turn over, the "check engine" light comes on, goes off for a second and then comes back on and stays on until I stop cranking. Is the computer telling me something?

The fuel pump turns on.

I get fuel pressure.

The theft light does not come on.

Generally after enough attempts, the truck starts.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[saewoody]

Well I went back out to try again, but it still won't start. This is the first time I haven't been able to get it started after several attempts.

However, the "check engine" light is no longer clicking off and then coming back on. It may be because I realized I had the egr valve vacuum line disconnected.

Again, any help is appreciated.

 

[saewoody]

Went out this morning and it fired up on the first try.

Maybe someone has some insight on this thought.

I have the so called "death rattle"; slack in the timing chain. It seems to me that it might make sense that even though my symptoms may be those of a faulty crank position sensor, that the real culprit could be the slack in the timing chain, which might mean the timing is slightly off and the crank postion sensor knows this so the computer won't let the truck start.

Makes sense to me, but I don't really know of the logic is correct or not.