I have a 1996 1500 with a 5.2 and a 5 spd
I'm not sure how to describe whats happening, originally it felt like power would cut out entirely but only for a second. Same feeling if you punch the clutch in and immediately drop it. But more recently it turned into a bucking, super similar to letting the clutch out too fast. it only happens under load and generally a higher gear.
its been happening for months but its gotten a hell of a lot worse over the last few days. I thought it was the fuel pump cutting out because im also having some slow starts, but i pressure tested the rail with the truck off, at idle, and at 2000 rpm, all stayed just shy of 50 psi. The only other thing i can think of is the TPS, but i replaced it sometime early last year.

Any other ideas?

 

When is the last time you changed your plugs, (or the rest of the ignition parts for that matter....) and what variety are they? (these trucks really don't like the rare-earth fellers.)

Have you fixed the plenum yet? (there is an entire thread dedicated to just this topic. It's stickied in one of the 2nd Gen forums, have a read. )

Could also be a failing cam or crank sensor. You would like to think that would set a code.... but, yeah, not always the case.

 

I replaced plugs around 20k ago so it’s probably about time. I believe they’re NGKs but I’ll have to check tomorrow to be sure. I haven’t changed any of the other ignition parts while I’ve had this truck and I’ve had it for around 60k.

I installed the Hughes kit a few months ago, so the plenum should be all buttoned up.

how would I test for the crankshaft sensor?
the only code it’s throwing is something emissions related, but that’s only cause the whole system was a massive vacuum leak, so I unhooked it.

 

What did you unhook? Did you plug the vac source? What is the code you are getting?

 

Cap rotor wires are maintenance items at 30K........ Really need to change those.

 

Check codes and PENDING codes. Be absolutely certain to look at pending.

Also pull a plug and check it out. If you got fake NGKs it'll be burnt down to nothing most likely

 

I replaced the plugs, cap, wires, and rotor today. I got a long drive in the morning so i can update on how it does. The only code it has is stored and its p0443. A bunch of the plastic vacuum line for the emission system was cracked, so i unhooked it and plugged the vac ports on the intake. I didn't think this would affect how the truck runs and if that's a big no no then i'll replace the cracked line and rehook it up.

thanks guys for all the quick responses!

 

Evap system is just for recovery of gasoline vapors from the gas tank. They are burned off in the engine, rather than vented to atmosphere. If the system is NOT working properly, it'll set codes, but, aside from that, I am not sure you would even notice....