Hey guys, I have been working on a 98 1500 with the 5.9. had to go into the motor to replace a freeze plug which ended up in replacing head gaskets heads and intake (because of non extractable broken bolts) got it running and it would not idle was extremely hard to start and would randomly die, tried reading the codes but the code reader won't even connect, it acts like there is no reader port connected to it. So I replaced the IAC and it fixed it (other than hard to start) it idled perfectly, then when it warmed up I shut it off and it would crank but then die, so I advanced the distributor timing (to much I think, now it pings) now when warm it idles up to 1500rpm then drops to 500rpm, goes back and forth, and now when you come to a stop it dies again. I have searched for hours through forums with 0 success. any help would be greatly appreciated. also to start it you have to hold the throttle to the floor or it won't even hit.

 

Moving the distributor only made it worse. You changed fuel synch and it needs to be reset with a computer....

Check fuel pressure. Needs to be 45 to 50 psi.

 

Alright the hood opener rod fell out so i need to figure out how to open the hood now, is there a way to check fuel pressure without any special tools? its sunday and there isn't any place open for 70+ miles.

 

No, you really need a gauge to read exact fuel pressure and ensure that the pressure stays at a constant ~49psi when running and drops slowly once turned off.

 

+2 on gauge....

You need something to go behind grill to push up on safety latch to release it. May be tricky!

 

Had the same problem once, here's my old thread:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-question.html

 

And plus 2 on fuel sync. And if you still have the rough idle and stall problem then i would spray around manifold with some carb cleaner while its running to check for leaks. You may not have gotten intake gaskets seated properly.

 

I got the latch opened pretty easy just laid under it and pushed it back up and in the hole and pushed, Now it won't do it again I drilled it put a small flat washer and stuck a piece of mig wire in the hole wrapped it around.