Howdy, So Im crusing down the freeway yesterday all of a sudden I start losing power, thing finally ends up only going about 5 mph,, I chug it home about 3 miles , any ideas ? really got me baffled, thanks much

 

sounds like you converter is plugged. had same thing happen to me exactly the same. have it checked out i ran it that way for the day and it messed up all kinds of stuff

 

+1 on the previous post, but do understand that it could be anything.

I've had the same thing happen to me on the highway with one of my vans and it turned out to be a clogged exhaust.

To test this, go out to the truck and start it. Go to the exhaust pipe and put your hand over the exhaust pipe to see if anything is coming out. If you don't feel anything, then there is a restriction in the exhaust system somewhere.

If it is free flowing and feels strong, then you've got some other problems.

We need a little bit more information though before we can really pinpoint what's wrong.

Do you have a check engine light. If so, did you have it scanned yet (auto parts store will do it for free). What are the codes?
How many miles?
Does it run rough/Idle well?
Transmission condition and the last time you serviced it?
Timing chain replacement?
All these things can contribute to what your having a problem with.

Keep us informed...

 

unscrew the pre-cat 02 sensor and start it, see if it runs better, if it does, converter is plugged....also check into the plenum gasket

or check the fuel pressure at the fuel rail....fuel pumps are a common problem for these trucks....but i think its the CAT

 

thanks for the inputs,truck has 120K on her,,,, It idles normally, when ya give a bit o gas in idle , drive, rev, neut, it bogs way down, A CAT i can live with, anything else $$$$$$$$$, can not get codes read without towing it as it will only do 5 mph if that
thanks again

 

I would check that cat out first and go from there. Like 95RAM said, unscrew the before-cat O2 sensor and see if it runs better. this lets out the exhaust if the cat is indeed plugged... If it turns out to be a clogged cat, I would take it off and punch the contents out of it...


You could also try the 'key dance' trick, it doesn't work on all Rams, but works on some. Cycle the key from off-on 3 times, ending with it in the on position(not starting the truck), if it works for yours it will display your codes on the odometer display. It don't work on my 98, but I know of people with 97's and 99-01's that it does work on.... Kinda hit or miss IMO but worth a try...

 

its the CAT, took off o2 sensor,and although a bit noisy it runs smooth when giving her the gas....thanks,hey can it CAT be bypassed or?

 

take the cat off, and stick something in there and bang out the contents to hollow it....this is a free fix... although you will need to look into the "non-fouler trick" so you wont have a consistant CEL

 

sorry missed the post....what has to be done to punch the cat

 

Awesome....thanks much o