I have not found anything in search that lines up with whats going on, if someone knows a thread that does please link it.

My 2001 Dodge ram 4wd 5.9l when just started, starts fine and runs fine for about 2 minutes. At that point it suddenly starts to sputter with the idle dropping down and a complete loss of power. It has never stalled even when pulled over and left to idle or when trying to slowly drive through it. When I accelerate the engine knocks. No codes have ever come up when this happens. After about one minute of this behavior the truck suddenly goes back to driving normaly like nothing ever happend. Once warmed up and driving it does not do it at all.
I am not sure where to go with this, all help is appreciated.
Thanks
James

 

Try replacing pre cat o2 sensor. Also read the plenum sticky on top of this forum.

 

Crank postion sensor. Mine would do this same thing (then started outright dying) after 8 or so minutes on warm up only.

 

Been doing some tune up stuff with no luck...Did plugs and cleaned up throttle body and plates and used the spray that runs through. I looked at my O2 sensor and it is new looking, leading me to believe that I replaced it sometime within the last couple of years and forgot (I need to start writing this stuff down lol). been looking into the crank shaft sensor to figure out where exactly it is. I am guessing it has to be a sensor because the truck runs fine for the warm up period during start up where the computer doesn't read sensors. It seems to re adujust and then do it again a minute later after running poorly. I wish a damn code would just pop so I could have a true direction to look lol.

 

I'm in agreement about the O2 sensor. Typically zman says to make sure its brand NTK!! However, how did you check it exactly? I mean what lead you to thinking it was new-ish?

I'd recommend cleaning your IAC. Find the thread in the DIY/FAQ section.

 

O2 sensors should be replaced around every 50-65K miles regardless of how they look.

I'm wondering if the fuel pump could be the culprit.

 

I was going to take the advice for the O2 sensor when I had a chance to work on it again. Finally Got a code that says O2 sensor. Picked one up and will get It in when the rain stops. Hopefully ill be up and running strong after that.

 

I had a similar problem to you and it ended up being the distro cap and rotor along with the spark plug wires. So maybe one or all of those.

 

Don't overlook the plenum sticky.

 

Had to special order the o2 sensor from auto zone, should come in today. Hopefully I don't need to dig into the Plenum forum. I have recently done plugs wires and cap, can't imagine they went bad already.