Runs, dies, starts in 15 minutes

Tiny
BILLY HOLLERAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1915 DODGE RAM
I have a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 89,000 miles. It may go 50 miles or 5 miles and it dies. When it dies, it says NO BUS. When I try to start it NO BUS goes away and it just cranks. I had a complete tune up at the dealership and still having problems, had another mechanic look at it and said the fault codes weren't tripped so they don't have an answer. If I come back 15-20 minutes later it will start again, and run 2 hours or 20 minutes. I read somewhere it could be the fuel pump relay, is this likely or is it the fuel pump or computer? Is this something the average home mechanic can fix?

Thanks for your help.
Tuesday, June 6th, 2006 AT 7:46 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KILLZODIAK
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
If its the fuel pump it shouldn't be that hard to replace yourself. If its the reley you might want to get a mechanic to do it. Get yourself a haynes book and check the fuel pump. It might even be the fuel filter is getting clogged. And look in your manual to find out what NO BUS means. That might tell you what the problem is right there.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, June 7th, 2006 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
BILLY HOLLERAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I switched the relays (they are in the fuse box and no harder than changing a fuse) and I think that fixed my problem. The truck has died one time since, but it immediately started back which it had not been doing.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 12th, 2006 AT 2:19 PM
Tiny
TIMM1954
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
OK I've been reseaching this problem for a while now and have the same problem. I also bought an ALL DATA subscription. Look I think it boils down to this. Dodge has a poor design flaw as to where they put the PCM! At least on my van. RIGHT OVER THE ENGINE! Sure the fan from the radiator is going to blow on it, but lets pretent like that is going to cool it in the summer, especially when you turn on the air conditioner and add more heat from the condinser. I'd be willing to bet that most of the people on here with the same problem have their engines die when they turn on their air conditioners, and when it is hot outside. And it probably doesn't die as long as they are flying down the highway. (Hence more cool air) Here is what I did after spending money on a water temp sensor and Crank sensor and the ALL DATA thing. I ran the engine with the air conditioner on. And as usual in South Texas at 102 deg. It shut down. Got the no bus code on the odomiter, the instument cluster shutdown thingy and all. Well, then I took a water stream and cooled the PCM (computer off) Bingo! The thing started right up and ran fine. The morrow of the story is this. Do you think your home computer could run O.K. At 295 deg? Well neither can your van or truck. It's summer, and the dummies at Dodge put the PCM in the worst place! It is begging for cool air. Here is my fix. A 12 volt squirl cage fan on a relay in front of the grill, with a 2 1/2" hose running to a shroud covering the computer. Oh sure I could spend the money on a rebuilt computer that might take the heat, or I might get your old computer that they cleaned up and spray painted and sold me as a rebuilt, and now your problem is mine. That is exactly what the previous owner of this van did. It cost him 800.00 at the dealer for a rebuilt PCM! Does the same thing.
What do you think.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 4th, 2009 AT 4:23 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links