96 Ram 1500/ 5.2, gas, manual tranny, 2WD, 250K, mostly in town driving about 6-800 miles/month. The engine dies on an intermittent basis, only while moving, never under acceleration, never idle, about once a month. If I turn the key from "on" to accessory n then back to "on", she comes back to life n...life is good for roughly...until the next time she decides to do it again. Fuel pressure check is steady around 50PSI, whilst idle, rev or in steady state 2K-3K RPM. ASD relay swapped with other relays, no effect. Engine scanner reveals nothing. Battery good, alternator 22 years old (mopar), but output seems okay. All electrical grounds checked, engine, body n frame, all good, less than 1 ohm resist....thoughts?

 

So does it do it while you are just steady-state cruising??

 

Yes, never had it happen, in my memory anyhow , in any other driving mode. It jumps rite back to life after key cycling.

 

Start it up, let it idle, start moving wiring harnesses around, under the dash, and under the hood. It's likely just a marginal connection somewhere. Finding it is gonna be the fun part.

 

There's been complaints of early 2nd gens like yours (96) that the ignition wires were too short and could cut out or strip when the tilt wheel was moved. I would take apart the column covers and check all the wires while moved the wheel.

 

When it dies do the gauges still work?

 

No they don't.

 

I had the steering column apart a few years back when I replaced the glass dash top. There was the usual "discolored" connector to the key/ignition assembly, but the connector tabs were clean n unburnt...THEN!

 

I can't say this is your issue but i had the supply voltage wire for the 02 sensor ground out on the trans. It was rubbing against it and wore threw the insulation. Took some time to find what was causing it. Take a good look at the wiring harnesses for anything hanging down or rubbing anywhere. Voltage dropping out going to the pcm would do this to.

 

Funny you should say that moparite. I JUST replaced my old upstream O2, twas causing the dreaded ping. I'll double check this weekend....thnx again!