1999 Dodge Ram Engine running, but lost power while driving

Tiny
IBINIT4FUN
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 40,000 MILES
1999 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 5.9L auto 40k mi. I was driving 65mph on the freeway and after 5 miles or so the truck started coasting. Engine was still running, but pressing the accelerator did nothing. Engine just seemed to be idling while truck coasted. After pulling off and putting auto trans in park, engine ran for another minute or so, but would not rev when I pressed gas pedal. Then it slowly ran rougher and died. Turned key off and tried to restart without success. Tried many times, but never cranked more than 5-10 seconds. Fluid levels all OK. No warning lights and no codes. Came back to truck several hours later. Pressed valve on fuel rail and got a puff of air. Tried starting again in 5-10 second cranking burst without success. Finally cranked for about 20-30 seconds while pumping gas and truck finally started and ran normal (I'm not sure pumping gas aids in starting fuel injected vehicles, but did it anyway). Have driven for about 20 miles without problem so far. Is fuel pump or ASD suspect? Wouldn't ASD have shut off engine while still on highway.
Tuesday, January 13th, 2009 AT 11:50 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
The ASD wouldn't be my first guess. I would check the fuel pressure. The pump may be on its way out. You should be able to rent the gauge at a parts store. Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Thursday, January 15th, 2009 AT 5:31 PM
Tiny
IBINIT4FUN
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  • 5 POSTS
Thanks for the reply. I don't know what could have caused it, but I now think the gas guage is off. I failed to mention originally that the truck had 1/8 tank of gas and the low fuel light came on about 10 miles earlier. I didn't mention it because the truck has been close to "E" in the past and taken a little less than 26 gallons to fill the 26 gallon tank. I also know that when the low fuel light comes on, there are a couple of gallons of fuel left because it takes about 24 gallons to fill it then. I can't explain why it started again 2 hours after it died, but I was near an exit ramp when it originally died. When it finally started again, I drove off the ramp and into a gas station where I filled it. I have driven it about 155 miles since with no problem. But what I did note is that the most recent time I filled the tank was right after the low fuel light came on and the gas guage read 1/8 tank. I drove 12 miles to the next gas station, the guage still read close to 1/8 tank, but it took 25.8 gallons to fill the tank. I then drove the truck another 32 miles before the guage moved at all off of the FULL mark. I know that is new because historically the guage always moved 1/8 tank each day on my trip to and from work which is 30 miles round trip. I feel pretty stupid. I haven't run out of gas since I was a kid, but that was in a carberated car. Does what I originally described as no power but the engine still running sound like what happens in a fuel injected vehicle when you run out of gas? Any ideas what would cause the gas guage to go askew?
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Monday, January 19th, 2009 AT 12:20 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi:
Yes that is what happens. As far as the fuel gauge, it is a common problem. Many only work from time to time. The problem is the float which is part of the fuel pump assembly. To fix it requires the fuel pump to be replaced, and it can be an expensive repair.
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Monday, January 19th, 2009 AT 1:47 PM

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