question for the experts!!!!!!

[Austin8214]

I have a 1991 Dodge ram 2500 that just seems to lose ignition power when i hit a bump or when i realy get on the gas. When this happens the engine dies completly. I still have lights. Anyone have any thoughts on what this may be? I have searched the ram fourm and i can not find a thing. Thanks in advance for your help.

[steveoVWman]

Originally Posted by Austin8214

I have a 1991 Dodge ram 2500 that just seems to lose ignition power when i hit a bump or when i realy get on the gas. When this happens the engine dies completly. I still have lights. Anyone have any thoughts on what this may be? I have searched the ram fourm and i can not find a thing. Thanks in advance for your help.

That sounds like a probeem I once had from a loos intake manifold on my old 79 VW Rabit (fule injected systems are realy tuchy when it comes to intake leaks).

[Autopro]

The lights and the ignition run on seperate systems so if the engine stalls the lights will not be affected. It sounds like the reason it's stalling when you hit a bump or when you get on the gas is a loose connection. Check to make sure the wiring is not loose. If you find loose wires tighten or tape them with electrical tape and test it.



AutoPro

[Austin8214]

Could you give me a place to look for the loose conection?

[zagrot]

with the engine running wiggle the wire harness, particuarly near connectors, untill your problem manifests. do this in the engine compartment (watch moving parts, they hurt) and under the dash (even behind the fuse panel). pay attention to areas where the wire harness appears to be burnt, cut, or routed over a sharp corner. that should give you a good starting point (or at least consume some of your free time).

[Austin8214]

Thanks for the advise.

[curtis73]

Find your computer, too. Make sure it is tightly grounded and firmly attached. If its ground is jiggling loose it could be causing the problem. It could also be a cold solder joint inside the ECU, although that is very rare.

Just lift your hood and (like austin8214 said) just start randomly wiggling wire connections. Then I might start tapping on sensors with a screwdriver handle.

[Austin8214]

I think that I have found the problem. It always shuts down when you wiggle the plug on the computer. I sprayed contact cleaner on the plug but that did not seem to help. Any other suggestions as to what I could use?

[bjdm151]

If it nhappens when you wiggle the connection, and the problem persists after cleaning the conection, it might be a loose connection inside the computer. I would try to find other causes first, but if its inside the computer, you're going to have to take it in for service.

[zagrot]

if you are the electronicaly inclined type you could remove the computer's enclosure and check to see that there is no vibration dammage, but if your vehicle is still under warranty i would strongly advise against it. besides, ecu circuit boards are usually protected by an extra thick layer of varnish. maybe you should take it to the dealer provided you cannot find anything obviously wrong on the outside. if there is a screw in the middle of the computer plug try tightening it, though i cannot immagine why it would be loose. if it is held in place by plastic clips detach the plug from the computer and reseat it. better yet, try reseating the plug regardless of the attachment method. while the plug is off look for bent or broken pins in the connector.