Well, on my way to work this morning, very cold morning but started fine, I got about 5 miles from home, and making a right turn, almost felt like my tranny skipped a beat, like i lost total traction, but then it went back to normal for a block or so, but then i realized it was losing power and me stepping on the gas was the only thing keeping it from dying. Well eventually it just died, and I couldn't get it to start for a good 5 min, but it finally turned over and I threw it into 2nd gear (auto tranny) and just kept the gas on it. If i put it into drive, it would start to fade again, so i kept it in 2 and made it all the way home. Now im not sure if it was 2 vs drive that kept it going, felt like i just needed to keep the revs high, so im not sure the tranny is shot, but In realitity i have no idea whats goin on here. I'm sure i missed some vital information, but i just walked in the door and im a little pissed so im sure i missed some stuff. It's a 5.2 liter, 4wd, no mods to speak of, auto tranny. 1998. Thank in advance for ANY info you can provide me. Oh and when i got it home and turned off, i tried to turn it back on again just for ****s and giggles, and it started up just fine, I didnt want to drive it around the block to see how it acted because its rush hoour traffic and I dont want it to die in the middle of the road again

 

Sounds like a clogged cat converter.

 

^ +1 cat

 

Check you fuel pressure.

Also you said it was cold. The PCM's on these are very sensitive, and on cold days it will make a hard start, and the battery wont have enough to get it going. My buddy has a ram 5.2 96, and he couldnt keep it going unless he had it floored, if he let up it would die. He repaced the battery, and terminals, and the problem was solved.

Last like Yakkier said it could be the CAT. unscrew the pre cat 02 sensor and if "lets out pressure" then the CAT is probably clogged. Also lightly bang the cat and if you hear rattling, thats probably because the honeycomb in the CAT is broken apart, thus having a clogged CAT.

 

i was convinced it was something fuel related until you mentioned the CAT. I barely passed emissions last summer and the guy said it was something with my cat converter and to look into buying a new one soon, i'll go check that out now, thanks guys! Oh and before reading this, i took it out for a short drive, and it acted completely normal...didnt die or act like it was going to

 

Let us know if it fixes the problem, also take pic's and post them if you can we like pics

 

and if the CAT is clogged, either get the magnaflow highflow CAT from Summit Racing (206 bucks)...or just hollow the one you have and save money. but a stock CAT will cost more than the magnaflow, so if you get a new one get the magnaflow.

 

Hes got inspection's though, would a hallow cat pass emissions ?

 

Non fouler trick

 

gotcha