Was kind of nervous today while driving. The van jumped forward on it's own and came uncomfortably close to almost hitting another vehicle. Wow, I wonder if it's possible for things to malfunction to the point of these sensor issues thinking the truck needs a ton of gas and causes the truck to do whatever it wants? That wouldn't be fun. Might be time to stop driving it altogether until fixed...

 

I finally took the truck to the auto parts store and had them hook up the scan tool, no codes. Guess I'm back to throwing parts at it. The only good reason for having these engines being computer controlled is so that if something goes wrong, the computer can tell you what it is. Since the computer isn't giving me any codes, its not helpful at all and it is the reason for the problem.

 

Ok, so go through it one more itme. IAC controls idle ONLY. As landyaught has alewady suggested TPS position is critical. The manual explains how to set it.

If you are certain both of those are perfect:

CPS can cause odd problems. If its 12+ years old I'd probably replace it. Otherwise, I think its fuel related because your throttle body cannot surge but fuel intake might due to injector or pressure issues. If fuel supply checks out, I'm afraid you are back to your ECM/PCM as the next item to r&r.

 

How many miles does this engine have on it ?

 

AGREE----pcm/ecm is the culprit

 

The van has 170,000 miles.

I noticed while sitting in the back of the van with the engine running and the mood lights on, while the engine was running, sputtering and wanting to die, that the lights were flickering and almost wanted to shut off. I'm beginning to think that the issue maybe some kind of power related issue. Does this make sense to you? I'm going to try and investigate tomorrow.

 

the voltage regulator runs through the PCM

 

If I wanted to buy the new PCM, is this one satisfactory, or is there a better one to recommend?

http://m.ebay.com/itm/DODGE-RAM-VAN-B1500-B2500-B3500-Computer-ECM-PCM-ECU-/170523971945

 

PM or just ask funair - he's the only one I know who has been 100% satisfied with his his replacement computer

My 2000 came with waranteed replacement already installed and its worked fine so far but I have no idea as to its origin.

 

Finally, finally figured it out. You'll never guess: Two plug wires were laying on eachother close to their boots and were melted to each other from the plastic sleeve I put on there for protection. It was so hard to see, unless you moved things around. Unbelievable. Separated the wires, and perfection.