Hi all, new to the forum, and this place rocks!!

1996 Ram 1500 4wd 5.2L...

Been running great, other than occasionallyruns a little hotter than normal. Stalled while at idle for about 5 minutesin the drive through Saturday. Monday onmyway to work about 7 miles down the freeway, motor dies for no appearant reason. Coasted off to the side, and truck refuses to start. Called for a ride and after 10 minutes or so, it starts right up and runs fine again.....until I get a couple miles further down the freeway, and same thing. So I left it and went on to work.

After work it starts right up, idles fine, runs great, plenty of power even at full throttle. Got about 2 miles from home and it starts trying to puke again.Was barely able to get it home...died and literaly coasted into my driveway. Wont start for nothing. Let it for 2 hours, starts right up again.

Current mileage is roughly 138,000. I had very simalar symtoms at 67,000 miles. That time, it was the catylitic convertor, and it was replaced by the selling dealer under the emission warranty. My vacuum gauge is screwed up, and I dont know how else to check for a plugged cat. I know it wont make it to the dealership, (20+miles) because once it gets hot, it dies and wont start again until it cools off.

This afternoon I started it up and laid underneath the convertor. The haed pipes got hot almost instantly, while the cat and the rest the the exhaust seemed cool for almost 5 minutes. Once the cat gotheated up after about 7 minutes of idling,motor dies and refuses to start. Water temp wasn't even up to 100 degrees.

I know th O2 sensors dont kick in until the system hits 600 degrees, and they were both replaced with the original cat, because the dealer screwed them up trying to get them out. Could be the problem?

I'm not sure if my truck is stillcovered under the catrecall / lawsuit that was settled in December 2005. I can't find the letter I received, and the recall states the vehicle is covered for 1 year from the date the letter was received.

Anybody know how I could verify the dates which Dodge contacted people regarding this recall? I know, I'm cutting it close, and need help ASAP.

 

i know 96 is not in that recall/extended warr. 98 or 99 and later. dont feel bad my 94 burnt up a new aftermarket cat in 15,000 in 12 months. come to find my engine was the cause. i have a few week cylinders making it run too lean,exaust gets hotter, cat melts. if your cat is your problem have everything checked so it wont happen again. get a good cat or a chrysler one. alot of the aftermarket ones are poor quality.

 

My 1996 is most certainly covered up to 10 years, 120,000 miles or 1 year from the date of my notification.

Complete list of warrented vehicles here: http://epa.gov/compliance/resources/...ler-fcsht.html

I got the letter informing me of the lawsuit and extended coverage. My problem is I can't find it, and can't prove my "date of notification".

As far as tuning or compression issues, there are none. The original cat, and more than likely the Mopar replacement catare junkby Chryslers' own admission.

If I can get it fixed under the warranty, I will. If not I'll be damned if I'll pay for another Mopar part...sawzall and straight pipe baby!!

 

you confused me on this part.. what system hits 600 deg's before the 02's kick on.,, i didnt think there was any exsaust gas temp sensor to tell the PCM that the exhaust is at a certain temp, and if theres something on your truck that is at 600 deg's, your having some problems.

02's could be a problem, two modes operate the PCM, these are the following

These are the open loop modes:
-Ignition Switch Key-On Mode
-Engine Start-up Mode
-Engine Warm-up Mode
-Acceleration Mode
-Deceleration Mode
-Wide Open Throttle Mode

These are the closed loop modes:
-Idle Mode
-Cruise Mode

normally,, 02 input is ignored during open loop, since mixture/ratio changes..


sounds like a fuel pump/filter problem.. anyone else?

 

Sorry, by system, I meant exhaust system, LOL, but actually it's the sensor in particular.
The O2 sensor produces no voltage (runs open loop, default fuelratio of 14.7 to 1) untilIT reaches normal operating temp. According to the Haynes manual that temp is 600 degrees F. Forcertain testing proceedures the O2's have to be at this temp to get correct readings.

At first I figured I got some crappy gas, but again, it runs like a raped ape from dead cold until it starts to warm up. This afternoon when I started it, I just let itidle until the converter got hot (no revving whatsoever) and it choked and died at idle. So I don't believe it's a fuel pump/filter issue. That would be more of an issue at high speed or load demand wouldn't it?Almost wish it was....be less hassle to change.