OT: 2000 Dadge Ram dies while driving

eremoao

Member
I have a 2000 Dodge Ram that dies sometimes while driving down the road. Seems like everything just shuts down. When it happens most of the time it starts right back up, other times I have to let it sit for a while. After it restarts it will be fine for a while, then maybe do it again in 4 or 5 days. Changed coil, ran fine for a week then it did it again. Also thought maybe air filter was bad so changed that, still doing it. Anyone else had this happen to them? Any ideas as to where to start checking?
 
Gas or diesel?

When it shuts down, and won't restart, what will it do?

Engine cranks with the starter and won't start?

Or entire system dead, no starter, lights, accessories?
 
Some things never change, I had a 88 dodge truck that did the same thing. They never did figure out how to fix it. Finally both heads went bad so I got tired of fighting it and trashed the truck. It only had about 750000 miles on it so my solution was never buy another dodge.
 
Had the exact same symptom on a 97 Dodge 2500. It was a bad battery! Cranked fine. Would start back up. Have it checked and avoid Easter egging.

r/

Pete
 
My 99 will not start when the moisture is high. I have also had it quit when there is a lot of water on the road. I don't drive it much anymore. I think there is a problem with the wires to the coil, but haven't checked them out.
 
There was something on the news last night about a Dodge recall due to a problem like that you might want to check and see if yours fall into the ones they talked about on the News
 
My 2001 did it at speed going down I-70 in Glenwood Canyon, CO. No power steering or power brakes. Luckily it restarted at speed. Did one more time many miles later, in drive way. Dealer replaced computer under emissions warranty when I said we have a serious safety problem. No more problem.
 
might want to check crank sensor wire had one do the same thing, had to wait untill it failed completely to find out.
 
crank senser had to put one on a 93 & a 2001 both 360 magnums exact same symptoms 01 wouldnt start at all after awhile new senser = no more trouble
 
Have you checked the codes? Turn key on but not far enough to start it. Do it 3 times and then watch in the mileage window to see a code. Post it back and we can tell you maybe what it is doing. It will do 2 scans so watch for both.
 
Try dumping in a can of dry gas. Moisture not be the issue, but it's an easy one to try.

I had a '97 Ram that would die sometimes when I put in the clutch. Moisture in the gas was typically the issue. Bought it with 104k miles and sold it 14 years later with 240k.
 
The two notorious things I've seen on those years of Chrysler/jeep products are the crank sensors and PCM's.

The crank sensor can cause all kinds of strange things, usually bucking and jerking or engine dies. Sometimes it has to sit for awhile and sometimes it might fire right up. The pcm symptoms are usually the same but more often the engine dies.

The PCM's problem is mainly in cold solder joints on the circuit board inside the case. Often times you can duplicate your concerns by wiggling the connectors right at the PCM. The PCM is located behind the air filter at the firewall.
 
(quoted from post at 23:59:03 10/19/16) where is the crank sensor?

It's mounted to the trans bell housing at front or top and on the passenger side. Look back behind the pass side valve cover or cylinder head, you will see a bracket with 2 mounting bolts
 
I've had two of such failures, however, not on a Dodge.
One was a defective cam shaft sensor, the other was a defective crank shaft sensor.

The crank shaft sensor was in a car loaded - yes, full of computers and sensors - but NO codes were thrown, which made the diagnosis a costly affair.
HTH, Hendrik
 
I have 99 that acted similar. it was the in the pcm just had to clean contacts on the main connection and it's been fine for 5 years truck has 225000 on it bought new in 1999, it's like part of the family now lol.
 
Thanks for all the replies, from what I have be seeing I think I will go with the crank sensor first. Last night I drove it to town, sat for about 3 hours and would not start. Not going to waste a lot of time or money on it, just not worth it. Will go to town today and it will start right up I bet. Has been a good truck, rusty as hell, but don't have to worry about scratching the paint that way. Will let you know what I find out.
 

Why not play/wiggle with the wires going into the ECM are tap it to see if it stalls... I grantee its more common that a cam/crank sensor issue.

I have wiggled/tapped and see them stall but when the customer showed up I could have beat it with a sledge hammer it would not stall...

One more thang any sensor that shorts will affect the 5V reference circuit it will put the puter in sleep mode...

I feel for ya when a mechanic goes to ell he has to work on Chrysler's 24hr a day...
 

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