Hi All,

I have a 96 Ram Va 5.2 2500 with the 35 gallon tank. I just wrapped up a 1400 mile trip and on the Drive Back when I got around 1/4 tank the engine started sputtering and eventually lost power and I was stranded on the highway. I tried to start it right up and it didnt start. I waited 5 minutes then it started right up and ran for about 1 mile to the nearest gas station. The van lost all power as I coasted into the gas station.

I did hear a loud noise coming from the rear of the van where the gas tank is located when the tank is 1/2 tank or lower as we stopped at rest stops along the way.

My question is why would it run good at a full tank vs 1/4 tank. Any ideas on what the problem is and what I should do to resolve it.

Thanks,
Ben

 

Maybe the gauge is lying to you. How much gas did it take to fill it up after it died?

 

That’s what I thought at first but it took 26 gallons to fill up and I have the 35 gallon tank. The rear of the van was making a squealing noise for the last 150 miles before that you could hear when you were outside the van at the back but not loud enough to hear inside the van .

 

Is that till the gauge says full, or when the pump clicks off? The 34 gallon tank in my truck still has 8 gallons of gas in it when the low fuel light comes on. (at 1/8th of a tank....)

Do you hear the squeal even when the van isn't moving? Do you hear it if you just cycle the key to on, not starting the engine? (pump should run for about 3 seconds.) If it actually is the pump making the noise, may not hurt to replace it.....

 

That is when the pump clicks off I tried to put some more in and the pump kept clicking and the gauge sat at full when I was done.


the noise happens when the van is idling and I’ll have to conduct that test later as I filled up the tank and with a full tank I cannot hear the noise. I will siphon the gas out to my others vehicles so I can do this test with lower fuel.

 

pump or gas hose is sucking air after the tank gets low

 

That's what I was thinkin' too. Time to drop the tank, and have a look? (maybe when the level gets lower......)

 

The fuel pump motor is worn out. The pump is summered in fuel above half a tank, so the fuel acts like a heat sink and keeps the motor cool. Once you go below half a tank the motor starts to become exposed and then runs hotter. Once the motor is hot enough it will stop running until it cools.

 

Thanks for the details everyone. That would explain why after I waited 5 minutes it started right up and ran good for a couple minutes. Looks like its time to drain the tank and put in a new pump. Any recommendations on other stuff on the tank I should do or just remove old pump and put a new one in? Thanks in advance yall!

 

Just inspect the inside for dirt or rust just so you don't reinstall it just to have another issue in the near-term.