My dad drives a 2003 dodge ram 3500 diesel and normally we fix it ourselves. My dad's health has severely limited his ability to do much of anything physical. I'd like to surprise him while his in the hospital and fix his truck. There are no good diesel mechanics around so I'm limited to my knowledge, Google and a couple of guys he works with for help. Here's what I know for sure:
1. The truck will suddenly start to accelerate on its own and it has to be put into neutral to get it to stop.
2. It starts to lose power. It won't take fuel, brakes get stiff and you can't steer it.
I hope I explained that well enough. He said he thought he knew what the problem was but hadn't felt up to fixing it. The check engine light is on and I know he got the code for the problem but I don't know what it was and I can't drive it the way it is to find out for myself, I barely got it home. I know the code was transmission related. Any ideas?

 

What year is the truck?

 

it's a 2003, sorry forgot that part

 

When it starts to accelerate on its own and you put it in neutral, does the engine continue to rev? Need to know the code in order to properly assist you, otherwise we are just guessing.

 

Do you have access to a scanner that you could plug in, and see what its whining about? (check engine lite.)

TPS might do that kind of thing.... (throttle position sensor) but, I *think* that system is drive by wire, so, the pedal just influences a sensor, that tells the pcm what to do.....

 

Will this work on your truck?

 

no, it stops when you put it in neutral. It's possible I could borrow one

 

I think I know someone I could borrow a scanner from. All I know is it's scary when it happens. Like the truck has no power then all of a sudden it's taking off with you

 

I mean the engine. Does the engine speed continue to increase when you put it in neutral. Not if the vehicle comes to a stop.

 

that's awesome, I'm going out to try right now! Thank you!