Okay this is driving me nuts and I don't know where to start looking. In the last week it has done it 3 times where when you start it, it won't idle just dies unless you put your foot on the pedal. Once you do that and drive half a block then it will idle just fine and acts like it never happened all day long. I replaced the fuel pump last month because it went bad, and I just put a v-8 throttle body on it as well and replaced the IAC. I have put a bottle of heat in the gas tank thinking maybe I had moisture in the lines but it has done it once since then. I asked one of my mechanic friends at work and he though the base timing might be off but I don't know how to check the base timing and he wasn't quite sure on dodges since he is a ford and chevy guy. Any help and suggestions would be great, I need this engine to last till after my dad gets his engine swap done so I can have his 5.2 mag.

 

I was told that the alternator could act like that as well. What I was told was "If you start your truck and it immediately dies, the alternator could be bad." But with you driving it around, could send enough charge to correct it. Or the ground could be corroded on it. Just an idea.

 

My 98 did the same thing. Was loose battery terminals. I would start by replacing them and cleaning up the posts on the batt see if that works if not go check your grounds and the wires on your alt. Make sure they arent corroded

 

Indeed so; as long as the battery has a good charge and connections are good alt. wont do nothing untill the battery goes..

I did this one day with the belt removed while testing something else.. and the truck would run off 12 volts and idle fine like normal.. just once the battery runs out of juice she's gonna die.. :P

 

Those would definitely explain it as well.

 

Okay thanks, I'll check my battery terminals as well as the ground. Tomorrow or sat I'll get the alternator tested.

 

i would test the battery too.

 

Just a follow up, I had the battery and alternator tested and they tested good. I also check the battery connections as well as the connections on the alternator and they look good. I have replaced the map and tps. The problem has gotten a little better maybe. Now instead of just dying it acts like it is stumbling over its self and then it either will go up to idle or just die. I no longer have to drive it a block to keep it running but now it is starting to do it more frequently, it did this twice today. I am getting frustrated and don't know what to do. I don't really have money to take it to a shop, any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hows your plugs and stuff? Last thing im thinking is maybe crank position sensor.

 

I was going to check my plugs this weekend if I can get a chance because when it is idling it is a bit rough, the wires, cap and rotor was replaced at least a year ago.