98 dodge ram 5.9l won't stay running

Soundguy · Feb 11, 2014

I sold my 98 5.9 to work last year. but it was and is still running good.

throttle body was very diry and idle solenoid was working.. but port plugged

puckgrinder85 · Feb 11, 2014

Dirty throttle body is the main culprit for stalling when coming down to an idle on those engines, along with its brother the 5.2. There can be other issues of course but this is the most overlooked one of the bunch and is also the cheapest. The idle air control can only control so much, the TB still needs to have a certain amount of air getting past the throttle plates.

Soundguy · Feb 11, 2014

as i recall.. this one had a raised ridge of gunk that sealed the throttle plate off pretty good.

since then I have cleaned the one on the wife's 5.3 gm yukon.. as it did the same thing.

was just as dirty...

UTLonghorn42 · Feb 12, 2014

Just joined and couldn't believe their were posts yesterday about the same problem I had (and Soundguy) yesterday! I was seriously reading this thread yesterday on a google search and didn't get to the last page of the thread until tonight! Got a 99' dodge Ram and I had to sign up just to let you know where I am at.

I had to drive to and from work today using the the two foot method like Soundguy explained 4 years ago

Anyway, it's been cold here in Austin Texas, and my idle problems started like a month ago. It miraculously went away for a month, but just came back yesterday. texted my mobile mechanic and he mentioned that it could just be build up on the IAC and/or TB. Anyway, it warmed up today and when I cranked her up it idled just fine. I said what the heck....but decided to spray the TB with Carburetor cleaner and take the old IAC off and clean it too. Cleaned both, replaced the cleaned IAC and she just went back to be all idle on me again!

Texted my mobile mechanic (I'm a noob for the most part) and he recommends replacing the IAC. Gonna go buy it tomorrow (38$) and see if that gets her done. Will keep ya'll posted.

Soundguy · Feb 13, 2014

the iac may be good. it's likely the port it is controlling air thru is what is blocked.

did you actually cleant he throttle body good. IE.. take apart and use a cloth and carb cleaner on it.

you wouldn't believe the amount of gunk.

even clean the butterfly flapper back side.

jnjpream · Nov 12, 2014

I've just started experiencing this issue today when I went out to plow. Guess I'll have to scrounge up a few bucks for some cleaner..

Soundguy · Nov 13, 2014

worked for me... can of carb cleaner and a shop towel and about a half hour with tools to get air cleaner tube IAC thingy out.. etc..

was a complete success for me. first start farted a couple times but ran great. i put another 50k on that truck before selling it to work. it's still a daily driver work truck now. i kinda miss it.

so far.. since that cleaning, the only problem it has had was needing brake shoes and a axle seal went on front right 4wd so the kid driving it fixed it in his garage one weekend.. so it's still accumulating miles on that old girl. nearing 300k now. engine getting a hair tires on the interstate if pulling more than 5k trailer.. but goes ...