I was driving on the highway without issue and suddenly my RPMs dropped and then the engine just shut off. Battery is good, will crank, but just sputters and dies right away. Any ideas? around 170k and well maintained, first issue of this sort.
FIRST:
Any codes showing?
If so, check that (Autozone, 'O-Reiley's and other places like that will do it for free) and see what the truck is telling you.
This (To me) seems fuel-related.
There are several things that could be causing it but you did say it will start but then die immediately after that so......
More details if you could give them would help to zero in on things, like did it happen right after you filled it up with fuel or just added some maybe?
I say that because problems with the evap system is one, a fuel filter that's packed with alot of crap is another.
Easiest thing to try is another fuel filter first and see if it affects things or not.
Another thing you can check is fuel pressure from the pump in the tank.
If that doesn't look good when checked you'll have to be sure there are no restrictions in the fuel system and that the Evap system is working OK or not.
If all that checks then you'll probrably have to check power to the fuel pump to see if it's getting the right amount of power AND if it's supplying enough fuel pressure and volume flow too.
If your truck has a fuel pump relay in the TIPM
those relays are suspect
you can test the function of the fuel pump
search the web for Vertical Vision
They make a jumper / tester for testing / temporary operation of the fuel pump.
THIS or any system(s) like it in yours.
Yes, you can jump the fuel pump relay to make the pump run with a jumper wire/connector for testing.
In either case, if you've verified things like the fuel filter are good with no restrictions, the pump is getting good power, plus the Evap sysytem is OK, BUT find you're not getting enough pressure or fuel volume, then you'll probrably have to drop the tank to check the pump itself.....
And may find it's the fuel pickup sock that's the real problem in play.
It's not uncommon to find the fuel sock clogged with crap and cause a problem like this but if you have to drop the tank to deal with it, it's best while you're in there to go ahead and change the pump too - AND get the fuel tank itself cleaned out.
If it's "Fully Loaded" with crap, you may want to consider getting gas elsewhere because that's a thing and I seriously doubt they'll clean their tanks anytime soon so it doesn't get pumped into your tank everytime you add gas to it.
