I recently finished the rebuild on my 1997 Ram 5.2, I was out for a drive with about 25-30 miles on the engine, and rights as the transmission was about to shift into overdrive the the rpms dropped and kept dropping then it died. No bangs, knocks, pops, pots and pan noises, so I am not thinking the worst yet. It will crank over just fine, it does not sound like it has no compression, I have checked for spark up to plugs- ok. Checked for fuel- ok Pulled plugs and checked for fuel and they are dark from all of the fuel trying to restart. When I try to start, it just cranks and every once and a while it will pop through the intake like the timing is off.

I need a little help here guys, I would really like to get this running again. If you have questions or ideas, ask away

 

Stomp the gas pedal to the floor, hold it there. Crank engine, see if it starts. Might take a minute or three....

 

Alright. What color is the truck?

 

Truck is green

I put in new plugs, and new pick up coil, but it is firing like the timing is off, popping out of the intake. The crank sensor was new at the time of the rebuild.

 

Distributor slip? (so the wrong cylinder gets the spark, moving the distributor does nothing about timing... unless it is WAY off.)

 

I know that base timing is not adjustable, fuel sync was set one truck was running, I guess I will have to set it to tdc and check if the rotor points to #1.

Is there a way to test the crankshaft position sensor?

 

Hopefully you aren't just swapping parts. If so, you're wasting time and money.

I would remove all of the plug wires and then re-install each one in accordance with the TSB that shows the improved routing.

Verify all ground wires have been reconnected. Double check that the distributor has been bolted in place and also check the connection at the Hall Effect sensor. It could have gotten dirty, which can cause problems.

Verify the flywheel crank sensor is properly seated and bolted into place. Check the connection with it as well.

 

I had a pick up coil laying around, I needed the plugs the old ones were black as night.

 

Did you change O2 sensors as well with the rebuild?

 

That's fine. I couldn't tell from your post if you did that at the rebuild or right after the truck stopped running. For now, you need to take the time to properly troubleshoot.

In addition to the earlier suggestions, verify there is fuel flowing to the injectors and also spark at the plugs.