Got a 96 Ram 1500 4x4 with Automatic trans and 5.2L gas engine

When driving the truck, it will ramdomly seem to "miss" and start to seem like it's totally dead for half a second and then seem to "catch iteself" for stalling, other times it will actually die and not restart.

Other times, the truck can be setting there parked and running at idle and it will do the same thing as above.

Yet, other times it can be parked and you come out to start it and it will turn over and crank just fine but won't start.

I've resulted to trying to shake various wires on the engine harness, thinking that it was a bad connection, like it sometimes gets a break in a wire to loose contact.

I have already replaced the distributor, cap & button, wires, plugs and coil...so I know it's not a "spark" issue

IF, when the truck is running and it goes to stall out, I can sometimes keep it from stalling by pumping on the gas pedal and keeping the idle above 800rpm, because if I let off the pedal, it won't hold at an acceptable idle rpm and it will just die out. When this happens, I usually get a check engine light trip showing random cyl misfire.

I've suspected the IAC and TPS and changed both not too long ago, yet these problems still persist...so thats why I was leaning towards a loose connection in the electrical wiring somewhere that causes either loss of signal power or the gound for the TPC and/or IAC. I had replaced the MAP, TPS and IAC sensors about 3 years ago and now this issue again! I wouldn't think that they sensors would fail so soon again, so that's why I'm leaning towards a loose/break in an electrical connection/wire that controlls the IAC, MAP and TPS.

Also had the heater core replaced a while ago and I know the shop had to remove the computer from the firewall to access lower bolts, so I had also considered a bad electrical connection at the computer on the firewall.

I have also gotten check engine light codes to trip for IAV and/or TPS reference too high/low.

I'm considering to first again replace the IAC sensor and TPS sensors (even though I had replaced them aboout a year ago) and go from there to see if it resolves the problem, and then move to getting a replacement (donor) engine harness from the junkyard.

Any input/help would be greatly appreciated with this problem!!!!!!

Like I said, I think it may be a loose electrical connection allowing a "break" in the signal circuit, because I get both TPS and IAC codes (SOMETIMES).

Also, I have tried to spray some ether into the intake to see if that will help it start and that doesn't seem to help either. It does have a new fuel pump installed earlier this summer too.

And yes, I have already installed a NEW battery with proper voltage, as that's not the issue!

Comments/discussion appreciated to help me trace and resolve this problem. It's my snow plow truck, so I hope to remedy this issue before the cold and snow gets here for this season!

Thanks,
~Tom

 

Wow, a whole lot going on there/here/everywhere.

1. How is the battery? Disconnect the leads and clean them up good! By the time of reconnecting the PCM will be reset.

2. Clean all ground wire connections. 1 upper on firewall driver side under flashing, another by power steering pump, another in back of passenger valve cover. Those are the main ones.

3. Any codes? For your year, I think, have to do the key trick. Hopefully someone clarifies that part.

4. With the PCM reset, this will also take care of resetting all the sensors you replaced. I'm going to assume you DIDN'T reset the PCM each time and new sensor was replaced. I hope you kept the previous sensors too.

5. Did you actually move or rotate the distributor housing? Meaning loosened the bolt into the block to move it?

6. Recheck your plug wire routing and that is correct fire order. This includes the distributor. Do a search for the TSB regarding the wire routing. Cross inductance occurs with these engines. Put dielectric grease in the plug boots.

7. Verify you have no vacuum leaks.

8. Get some seafoam. Google it and put some in.

Report back yo!