98 dodge ram 5.9l won't stay running

[Soundguy]

I have had to repalace the tps before.

soundguy

 

[carpenter383]

Take the IAC out and cycle the key (not trying to start) the IAC motor should move at least a little bit.
Or take the IAC out and use your finger to plug the hole (varying the seal) with the engine running to see if it stays running.
Or tighten the IAC plunger to where it lets air get by and leave it unplugged, and see if the truck stays running.
TPS sensors are adjustable, did u just bolt a new one on or did u adjust it?
Any codes? Service engine light?

 

[Soundguy]

had a mechanic do the tps.. been many, many moons ago.. I assume it was adjusted, as she has run good since then. no check engine lamp currently on.. though it does work as it comes on with all other lamps at startup, then goes out... I don't have a code reader.. so unless the check engine lamp is the sole source to show a code has been set.. I dunno. I know some sensor's going bad, like o2, etc.. will make the CE lamp to come on.

man.. i wish this thing had points, and a genny, and a carb with an adjustable main and idle jet.. wouldn't be having this conversation...

soundguy

 

[carpenter383]

had a mechanic do the tps.. been many, many moons ago.. I assume it was adjusted, as she has run good since then. no check engine lamp currently on.. though it does work as it comes on with all other lamps at startup, then goes out... I don't have a code reader.. so unless the check engine lamp is the sole source to show a code has been set.. I dunno. I know some sensor's going bad, like o2, etc.. will make the CE lamp to come on.

man.. i wish this thing had points, and a genny, and a carb with an adjustable main and idle jet.. wouldn't be having this conversation...

soundguy

Yep the CEL is mostly for emissions control.
Does your truck have a throttle cable or is it "fly by wire"? I'm guessing cable, but since I haven't worked on that model of truck for a while (and last time I did was transmission related) I don't know the details.
Does it stumble then die, or just die like you shut the key off?
Have you checked for vaccume leaks? egr valve?

 

[racolton]

FYI, some auto parts stores let you borrow a basic code reader. Around here I know AutoZone and O'Reilly Auto Parts have let me borrow it. (I just hook it up right there in the parking lot.) A partial list of codes is here: PCM Fault Codes

(I'm not sure why, but according to the previously linked page the '98 and up trucks don't support the off-on-off-on-etc. method of reading the codes. My wife's '02 Intrepid shows the codes after three off-on cycles, and my '04 Durango works with 4 or 5 off-on cycles.)

 

[carpenter383]

FYI, some auto parts stores let you borrow a basic code reader. Around here I know AutoZone and O'Reilly Auto Parts have let me borrow it. (I just hook it up right there in the parking lot.) A partial list of codes is here: PCM Fault Codes

You're correct most auto parts stores will check your vehicle for codes for free. At least obd2 (96 and later) The CEL needs to be on though.

 

[Soundguy]

Yep the CEL is mostly for emissions control.
Does your truck have a throttle cable or is it "fly by wire"? I'm guessing cable, but since I haven't worked on that model of truck for a while (and last time I did was transmission related) I don't know the details.
Does it stumble then die, or just die like you shut the key off?
Have you checked for vaccume leaks? egr valve?

Will look for vac leaks in the am when i pull the air filter box off to look at the throttle body and aic.. and maps.

I'm pretty sure it is cable throttle control.

dies like you shut the key off. runs fine otherwise

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

fyi.
my truck is titled as a 98.. but build date is 8-97

I trie dthe on/of thing. did it 3x 4x and 5x and 6x.. never got anything.. but then.. my check engine lamp wasn't coming on when running either ( but does come on for ignition test whent he other lamps do ).. so maybee no codes set.. or as the article says.. mine won't check that way.

in the am I will know more. will look lines over good.

I just did an oil change and put a new air filter on her on monday .. wonder if I didn't get the air filter box back on the throttle body good.. that make a difference? though I think it's on there good.. I've done it 33 times or so looking at my milage..

one other thing to note. i added some fuel system cleaner and gas drier today, and one the way to work and on the way home she only tried to stall twice. IE.. out of the 6 red lamps and stops I go thru to get home.. 4 of them were sucessfull.. just take foot off gas and hit brake like normal.. no stall. 2x each way she went to stall and I say rpm plunge to 300 and a tap o fthe pedal resurected her... so that is an improvement over last night where she stalled any time foot didn't keep pedal at 600-700 or better rpm.. so maybee dirty throttle body or iac plunger is a possibility? ( and the fuel cleaner is helping in some very small way?? )

soundguy

 

[carpenter383]

Throw a known good battery in there for kicks, a bad batt. can cause probs. and make sure the gas cap is tight too.
Good luck!

 

[Soundguy]

gas cap is tight. she got a fill up on monday witht he oil and filter change.

bat shows as good 12.6v on meter, and comes up to 14 when running, lamps on or not.. idle or not.. so alt is doing it's thing.. will clean the terminals for the heck of it.. just because, when i go look at the vac lines and TB in the am.

darn head scratcher here....

soundguy