Long story short; Im 1000 miles from home, and late last night, my coil wire laid on my exhaust and melted. I had my truck pulled to a motel, with intentions of replacing the wire when the parts store opened. I replaced the wire. It starts, but pulsates. Stumbles every second or so, until it dies after about 5 or 6 seconds. Wont stay running. I thought the burnt wire may have cooked the cap or rotor, so I replaced both of those as well. No luck. Please guys... any help is appreciated.


Sorry... Info on the truck. 1995 Ram, 5.9 gas.

 

Will it stay running if you keep your foot on the gas?

 

What kind of spark plugs do you have?

 

It will not stay running with foot on the gas.




Not sure what kind of spark plugs. NGK if I remember? Was running like a champ until the coil wire melted on the exhaust. I doubt the plugs went bad at the same time.


It seems like a very rhythmic stumble. Vrrrm... Vrrrm...Vrrrm... Dies

 

I had this happen to a vehicle once that had platinum plugs. The coil had shorted when a bunch of water went into the engine bay, thus frying the coil (a 1993 Escort). Even with the coil replaced, the vehicle would stumble and barely stay running even with the throttle pressed.

I replaced the plugs and it ran like new. My theory was that when the coil pack blew, it sent out enough voltage to damage the spark plug electrodes and quite possibly melt the platinum tips.

If you were nearby, I could loan you a known good coil to rule out that being the issue; however, the plugs could be your culprit.

Are you able to keep it running long enough for the CEL to illuminate?

 

I suppose that's a possibility. If I rememember correctly, I opted for non-platinum plugs.


What do you guys think about an Idle air control motor going out? It would be the biggest coincidence in history that it happened at the exact same time that my coil wire melted.

 

You can test the IAC by removing it and turning the key to the "ON" position. Watch for movement of the plunger.

 

He doesn't have a CEL IIRC.

Scooter78 you could possibly have fried the coil driver in the PCM, but it's hard to tell without a scantool to read live data. Does the parts store have a Chrysler OBD1 scantool?

BTW you can give me a call and I'll see if I can help.

 

If the IAC is bad, you should be able to maintain idle with your foot on the accelerator.

 

You are right. No check engine light. Never got around to that. Lol.
If the coil driver was fried, would it spark at all? My guess would be no.


I had to call a shop. I hate to do it, being as I know my truck better than anyone. All my tools are packed up, I have no garage to work on it, its dumping rain and snow, and I'm in a motel parking lot in Butte, Montana, where I don't know a single soul.