Hey all. I have a problem that is driving me crazy and to the poor house at the same time. This proble has been going on for about a month.

1995 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 5.9L - Auto Trans - Z vin code

Symptoms:

• Engine stalling at speed
• Idles fine. Will idle all day with no problems.
• Idle quality is ok
• Runs fine until it shuts off
• When it shuts off the instrument cluster looses power.
• Headlights do not loose power
• Shutoff seems to be an electrical shutoff. (i.e. no spit and sputter)
• Will restart after 5 to 10 seconds
• You must turn the key to the locked/off position before it will restart
• It may run fine for 50 feet or 2 miles but it will just shut off
• At one point, it would shut off at exactly 40 mph (about 50 times in a row)
• Does not matter whether you flog on it or baby it
• Every time we change something, it will drive fine for about 20 miles, then the problem starts again.

Things tried or replaced:

• Ignition module
• Pickup plate in distributor
• Coil
• IAC Valve cleaned not replaced

Above problems started about a month ago. Been in the shop since then. Luckily I am not being charged for all of his time.

Other symptoms that may or may not be related:

• For the past couple of years, it has been having a "delayed starting" issue. When you turned the key nothing happens between 1 and 30 seconds. As long as you hold the key in the starting position, it will finnally crank and start. Once it begins to crank, it starts right up. No problems after that. Let it sit overnight...Same problem.

　
This problem is getting personal not to mention expensive.
Does anyone have an idea what will shutoff the electrical power to the engine. I am willing to listen to a list of every part that could turn off power in this fashion. HELP ME PLEASE!!!

Sorry for the long post but I have been working on this for a month.
Thanks,
Jeff
　

 

Do you have a car starter or alarm system that could be giving you troubles?

 

nice post. welcome to df.

i interpret "pickup plate in the distributor" as the cam position sensor, aka secondary pickup coil.

i don't know what the "ignition module" is. be more specific.

i'm uncertain about your instrument gauge going dark. my best guess there is the pcm is dying or disconnecting.

my next guess would be that you are experiencing an ASD shutdown, possible due to loss of signal from the crank position sensor. however, i don't think that would shut down the instrument cluster. to the best of my limited knowledge, ASD kills power to the coil and fuel pump only.

 

Thanks for the quick response. There is not a remote starter or alarm system unless dodge has some type of passive ignition interupt security system from the factory. I do know there was no extra charge listed on the original invoice. Keep 'em coming.

 

Swap the ASD relay, with another one. (headlights?) Drive it for a while. See what happens. Sounds suspiciously like a relay getting weak. (and the asd relay tripping will give the symptoms you describe.)

 

Thanks for your response DHVAUGHN. I am pretty sure the pickup was refering to the cam sensor. I also may have not heard my mechanic correctly about the "ignition module". I have just enough knowledge to be dangerous.

I think it has to be something to do with the PCM since something is just killing power to the ignition system. It acts like you just switched off the key.

Any idea what could provide the PCM with a shutdown signal? But only do so when driving since idling in PARK or in DRIVE seem to be unaffected.

 

Thanks "HeyYou". I will give that a try. Do you know if the ASD relay would kill the gauge cluster? I hope it is that simple.

 

Yep. Sure would.

 

Need help ram 1500 stalling at idle, won't rev up over 2500 rpm dies

 

Check the plenum, it is probably blown, resulting in a clogged cat.