i really need help from you guys. yesterday the check engine light came on and i figured it was the o2 sensor coming up again. well this morning im on my way to work and i did notice when i started it that it sounded like it wanted to shut off at idle but it went ok. i almost said maybe i should wait a little while to warm up but i didnt. i drove maybe 6 blocks and it stopped on the red light. not the battery cause the radio was still on and all lights. i tried to start it and it turned on for 2 sec. but then died again. started again and it started but again died. then i tried again and it would turn on. all power still but it would turn once or twice then just die. so after being there for a while i turned it on gave it some gas to get it around 1200rpm and hit the brake put it in drive and it drove home. the only thing is if i let the gas go or let it get under 1000rpm it shuts off.

so i get home and now it starts fine.... so i have no idea whats wrong. could it be the o2 sensor? or could the new engine light mean something else?

its a 1996 dodge ram 2wd 5.2ci

any help would be great i called in sick at work but im due to go tomorrow and if i can fix it soon it would help. any any advice would be great.

thank you

 

I had a friend who had a code reader, you need to find one of those, your local gas station that works on cars should have one and the mech might charge you a couple of bucks but you'll find out exactly what’s wrong

 

My 01 is ODB2 and has the electronic trip odometer which I use to pull the CEL codes myself. I'm not positive about the 96's but try this to get the code:

Without starting your truck, turn the key on, turn it off, turn it on, turn it off, turn it on.

My electronic trip odometer displays the CEL codes for me to read. I think I read that the non electronic would flash a light and you need to count the flashes. I.e. flash flash flash pause flash flash pause flash would = CEL 321. Then do a search either here on the forum or on the net for that CEL code. Hope this helps.

 

Cant do that to a 96 .. i think that started either 98 or 99... you need to take it somewhere to have the CEL read.. your local parts store can have it read for free..

 

THanks for the heads up. Wasn't sure what year that function became available.

Try the different parts stores (Autozone, Checker) as they often have the code readers and wil lallow you to borrow them while at their store. Good luck.

 

well i just started it and no problems... went around the block and it was good. i went inside and started it again after 15min. and now its having that problem but it starts. its like on and off type of problem. i took the cai off, checked the iac but nothing wrong. i didnt remove it will do so but what i plan to do is go to autozone get the scanner so i can read what the problem is. ill go from there. minewhile i have to miss today and tomorrow from work. sunday my friend is going to give me a ride to work. monday im off so monday is when im going to have to do all this because the wife is gone till sunday and i dont have a ride to autozone. sucks! ill keep you guys posted.

 

another thing you can do to see if it the TPS is unplug it and start it up see what happens or disconnect the IAC sensor and see what happens.. does your rpms jump at all ? or another thing is take a screw driver and tap on the TPS and if it revs some that saying she is shot or getting there .. i tap im and she revs a little..lol

 

In the past I was having some 'weird' type issues with my truck. One at a time I disconnected every electrical lead, applied some di-electric compound to the connection, and then reconnected the ends. Cleared up my issue.
Could be you've some moisture/corrosion in your TPS/IAC sensors, or something else. Maybe even at your computer. It's worth a try.

 

Fuel filter? Fuel Pump?
maybe the computer idle needs to be reset?
few things ive had to go with because thats happened to mewhats happening to you

 

unplugged the iac sensor. started it. nothing. wouldnt stay on at all....??

my wifes coming to get me so i can go to autozone and get the reader so hopefully in a couple hours i will be able to tell what the problem is.