I'm going to start by saying i don't know jack about dodges or really trucks in general. i've explained my problem to friends and mechanics and they all say it has to be a sensor issue. i just cant figure out what one. i have a 98 ram 2500 v8. bought it a couple months back and it ran great. now every once in a while the throttle just stops working. the engine is still running but it just stops giving gas to the truck. the power stearing also cuts out at that time. it usually happens when taking off or in second but the other day it happened in 4th gear going down the highway. the shop i brought it too said it wouldnt act up on them so they couldnt diagnose it properly. but said it was around a 400 dollar fix. has anyone here had or heard of similar problems?
please let me know, thank you.

 

Posted in the wrong section. Moving to the correct section. Please read the section descriptions before posting so you post your question in the correct area to get the help you need.

Sounds to me like the engine is stalling if the power steering goes. How are you sure the engine is still running?

 

Sounds like it could be the tps. Might also be the fuel pump starting to go. Do you have any codes?

 

Saying it is around a $400 fix in the same breath as saying you can't diagnose the problem is someone to steer clear of.

A TPS is ~$40 and 15mins to change.
Don't buy the cheap $20 aftermarket sensors... you'll likely have to change it several times to get a good one... stick with Mopar of Delphi.

But don't just throw parts at it... spend some time to properly diagnose the problem first.

 

What should I see with a OBDII scanner with the TPS? I see 14% with the throttle plates closed to 74% at WOT. I assume that's bad but don't want to buy a $40 part if it's not the issue.
On a '96 1500 4x4 5.9L.

 

If you are at less than 1 volt at closed throttle, and greater than 3.5 at WOT, you are golden. Make sure that you are getting full travel out of the gas pedal too. (make sure it WILL open the throttle all the way.)

 

You really want me/us to stick needles into fragile 20+ year old wiring? Yeah, that makes sense when OBDII allows anyone with a smartphone and an ELM327 (or $60+ for a dedicated unit) to get live data from all the sensors through the OBDII port.

The new $43 sensor from Bond Auto Parts reads the same 12% to 72% (even though every car I check it reads from 0% to 100%) so I guess the setup on the Ram is retarded and the readings are normal.

 

You can stick your probes into the connector, and hit the crimp-on contacts without trouble. No need to go poking holes in the wires. And not everyone has a smartphone, or wants to spring for the transmitter. Also, I am interested in voltages, not percentages. What the sensor is putting out, and what the PCM sees, can be two entirely different things. If you think your method is better, and you know more than the rest of here, why are you even asking the question?