I have just recently purchased a 98 1500 2wd 5.2L Ram, with 153,000 miles on it. the body is in pretty good condition. The first thing I noticed wrong was there were no instrument, dash, or tail lights. All other lights worked. That was an easy fix, it was a fuse, but oddly enough the fuse was not there at all. Looks like someone took it out. Put another fuse in, and that problem was solved. Started it up to go home, and as soon as I put it in gear, reverse or drive, it shut off! So I took the fuse out thinking that might have been the problem, but no go. Popped the hood and looked around but I didn't see nothing out of place or leaking. Oil level was good, Transmission oil level was good. Truck starts up and idles just fine. Started it up again and pused the overdrive button in, turning it off, and everything was back to normal. Turned the overdrive back on, and everything is still normal. This all happened this past Sunday and I purchased the truck Saturday. I had no problems with it all day Saturday. Monday, I had a few errands to run. Before I left, I let the truck warm up and turned the heat on. I noticed that my temp gauge never moved, and the heat was kind of luke warm. I started driving and the temp gauge still stayed the same. Half way to my destination the temp gauge started to move towards the middle and I noticed that it was getting a little warmer in the cab. During the drive, it seemed to shift funny or take a long time to shift. At one point I saw the RPM's up to 4000 and holding, so I let off the gas a little and then it shifted. Getting off at my exit, the truck seemed to struggle down shifting, it almost acted like it wanted to shut off. Gave it some gas and everything was fine. Finished my errands and started home, and truck seemed to be shifting just fine now, but now the temp gauge is going back down! So, since Monday I have had no problems with it shifting into gear and cutting off, and/or struggling to up shift or down shift, but the temp gauge is still doing it's thing. Any suggestions, advice, or comments on everything above would be greatly appreciated.

 

Temp gauge is probably going to be a stuck thermostat or one that is too cold. That would be the 1st place I would look. As for the rest, get your codes read.

 

Could be a sticky IAC motor,but i would replace the thermostat first and see what that does

 

Where would I find the codes? Just went and bought a 195 degree stat, hope that will fix it.

 

Go to advance or autozone. They will read them for free. Or get a cheap code reader. The plug for it should be on the right side under the dash in the driverside footwell. Key on truck not running. Let it read the codes. Write them down and then look them up. If a CE light is on, you've got a code.

 

No CE light. I think she's testing her new owner!LOL. I'll go pick-up a code reader tomorrow. Sounds like I good thing to have on hand anyway.

 

They dont give them away, instead buy a Repair manual and use the PCM code Reader. Turn key on/off on/off, and then on. If there is a code stored it will flash a number, then refer to the manual to see what it is

 

I'll do it first thing tomorrow. I'll let you know what I find. As for the stat, I'll do that Saturday along with flushing the heater core, radiator, and changing the plugs and wires, just for peace of mind. Don't know when the last time all of that was done.

 

By the way, what would you concider being good spark plugs for my truck?