Specs. I have a 95 ram, 150,000 miles 5.2l v8 well kept truck. recently ive had problems keeping my truck alive as I start it and before i can put it in gear it dies. If I rev it it chokes and dies still. Thought it was a fuel pump/filter problem and its not. I read some forums and people said it might be a ecu going out or a sensor having a faulty ground and therefore casing the computer to shut the truck down ( or act wierd). the highly trusted mechanic shop im at discoverd fuel filter/pump are not the culprit. they checked the wiring harness and found no bad wires. is the ecu itself going out? i have my mopar pcm ill try to see if it starts with a different computer but im at a loss. and i need my rig back on the road to get to both of my jobs. Another suggestion was low compression due to my timing chain that could've possibly jumped. my belt was starting to go bad (beginning sounds of a glazing belt) and I really need a hand on diagnosisng this one ASAP. thanks for al the quick responces I know ill get here.

 

Start by cleaning the throttle body out with carb cleaner. Take the 3 sensors off, and pay special attention to the passages for the back one. That is your idle air control valve, or IAC. If the issues get gummed up with carbon, then the pcm can't compensate the idle correctly when the throttle engages.

start there and report back.

When is the last time the plugs, cap, rotor, and wires were replaced?

 

+2 on the iac and tuneup, i would also chech the o2 sensor.

 

well. everything and I mean everything is fine. timing is tuned. spark is there. air and fuel are being delivered normally. compression is good. 99% sure Its my computer. mechanic popped in my mopar pcm and it hasent died. but my plugs and wires are brand spankin new. as far as the cap and rotor go. might be a good idea to replace since its 28 bucks for a high quality set for me. I also have two years on it plus who knows how long since the previous owner touched it. Im thinking its a half hour well spent in the driveway to update it. (discount for working at a parts shop) thanks for the input. ill relay the update as there making sure everything checks fine with the perf. computer. but now a new question... where can I get a remaned or new stock ecu for my ram? And not pay 5-6 hundred!

 

Timing is tuned? I thought the computer controls timing on these motors.

 

Yup the comp does, for a computer i bought one at a salvage yard for my 98 for 200 bucks and it works fine, i would try there first.