[YJ4RoX]

Hey guys,
I ran into a littel trouble with my tow rig this morning on the way to work. 1998 ram 2500 5.9L(gasser ) automatic 4wd.

It began to stumble and back fire in the manifolds. It would surge then stumble/miss be fine then do it again a couple more times then a small back fire in the manifolds.

I know its fuel or ignition related. My MPG dropped recently from 14-10/11mpg, i chalked it up to the winter gas mix. Now that i think about it, there has also been a slight loss of power.

I initially thought it was the fuel filter, but then found its integrated into the fuel pump assembly and not serviceable. I hope its not the pump. The problem is much worse as the truck is cold, once it warms up it doesnt do it as much.

I also dont think its bad gas, i had over 1/4 tank when it started, filled it up and it still occures, even worse now.

My g/f is bringing me a coil and I am starting there. PLugs, wire, cap & rotor are all new within a 1000 miles. Motor has 121k miles on it. Are there any sensors that tend to go bad on these? TPS, CPS? Anything?

I am going to yank the cap & check the rotor, i have had the metal tab come loose before on one and it ran erratic. That as on the heep though.

Please help, i gotta borrow a civic to drive until i fix this thing.

 

[Oxjockey]

I had my TPS go bad, would idle OK, but if you tried to give it gas it would freak out. I could slowly accelerate to about 20MPH, but that was it.

This was on a 95...

 

[TornadoTJ]

I've seen 02 sensors cause that.

You might want to have the codes scanned.

 

[Flake]

If possible get the codes scanned, some parts places do it for free. This should narrow it down a bunch instead of just having to throw parts at it and hope for the best.

 

[ScoutII]

First of all before you go shotgunning and
throwing parts at it....is the check engine

lite on?????
If so then thats about 80 percent of your answer by just plulgging in a scanner
and reading the trouble code.

 

[YJ4RoX]

Well i found the problem. It was the POS auto zone distributor cap.

I opened the hood after dark and the cap was lit up like a christmas tree. Evidentially the coil post on the cap had a crack so it was shooting fire straight onto the rotor button causing a meltdown. Honestly i dont know how it was still running. WHen i touched the cap the coil wire fell over where the post had burnt off.

Stupid POS autozon parts. I am sticking to NAPA from now on.

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[drnut]

I also had this problem with my 97' 5.9L and it turned out to be a bad ground at the battery. The cable had crossion inside the insulation.