2000 Ram Cutting off Intermittenly

[DerekHasARam]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum and dodges in general, however not new to vehicles. I have an issue which may be common by reading some other posts however mine is kind of unique. I just bought a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 318 V8. I was driving it the other day and it cut off. There was no warning or sputtering, just as quick as you can say OFF. I tried to restart it and it would just crank and crank but not turn over. NOW I pushed it into a parking spot and let it sit for a second and tried again, and once again just continuous cranking. I pressed the shrader valve on the fuel rail and had plenty of fuel pressure from what I could see, which lead me to believe it may be something not giving it spark. Got it started and I drove off and it cut off again and I noticed this time that my gas gauge was not working as it should when you would turn the key on to acc. so I waited a second and turned key to acc. again and the gauge worked fine and the truck turned over. Also when it cut off the second time, I had my hazards on which went from blinking to solid lights :/ ... which I believe would be something with the BCM? So basically that's where I am at. The problem is intermittent and does not happen all the time. Just a quick overview of symptoms ... sorry for the long post, hard to explain with writing.

Symptoms:
- Truck cuts off intermittently
- Discovered with key on acc. if gauge is not working truck wont start, however with key on acc. and gauge working truck starts
- Flashers went solid during not start problem
- There was a CEL on but now off and scanner did not pickup anything in the memory
- Cuts off at any speed
- 2000 Ram 1500 5.2 4x4

Please help me out, I am thinking maybe faulty PCM, BCM, CPS, what do you guys think? Thank in advance
Derek

 

[Okiespaniel]

I'd guess ground/bus issue. Check and clean all grounds, and not just the ones you can see.
There are two hidden ones...one behind the drivers kick panel, and one under the battery tray up by the headlights. That one recieves battery acid fumes and is particularly troublesome if not kept clean.

 

[DerekHasARam]

Ok great I will start with checking grounds. If its a "bus" issue should I just replace the PCM. Any good literature on ground locations?

 

[DerekHasARam]

OK so new symptoms! It has done this again a few times since I last posted. I have since checked a lot of the grounds and they all check out ok. NOW when I had it cut off on me today I noticed when I go to turn the truck on as in on KOEO (Key on engine off) I am not getting a check engine light. As soon as I cycle it a couple times with KOEO the CEL with re appear and truck starts, what do ya know! so I am think PCM ... I am not however getting the "NO BUS" .... Anymore input ideas would be great! Thanks in advance ..

-Derek

 

[Hemitom]

try the Crank position sensor. it sounds like it s failing....

 

[Okiespaniel]

I'd get the CEL code first before throwing any parts at the problem. Yes it could be the crank sensor.

 

[DerekHasARam]

Ok, CPS sounds logical ... as above I thought that could be a possibility. Now would this cause the check engine light issue I am having if it were to be failing. Also I forgot to mention too that there are no codes other than a transmission code for O/D solenoid, and every time the truck cuts off it clears the code as well, then when you try to read them back there is nothing. Hopefully that makes sense.

 

[BAILEY1]

It definitely sounds like your ECU is going bad. After is shut off, does it take awhile to start back up?

 

[DerekHasARam]

Yes it takes a couple seconds to a couple minutes. I just wait till I see the check engine light cycle and then I know it will start. So to recap when the keys on engine off I get no check engine light no start once I cycle it again sometimes a couple cycles and get key on engine off with check check engine light it will start.

 

[DerekHasARam]

Bump