1996 Dodge Ram Van B2500 shut down at idle

RAMVANMAN

MEMBER
1996 DODGE RAM

I have a 1996 Dodge Ram Van B2500 with a 318 CID, 5.2L engine and automatic transmission. The vehicle has about 144,000 miles on it.

Recently, while on the highway using cruise control the vehicle suddenly decelerated, and the accelerator pedal went to the floor. I killed the cruise control and barely limped into a service station. The fuel level indicator was just approaching the empty mark, and after filling the tank the vehicle began running properly again.

Later, it did the same thing when the gause was showing about 1/4 tank of fuel, and it eventually did the same thing at 3/8 tank, then at a half tank.

In each case the vehicle stalled and decelerated. When the accelerator was released the engine would die, though it would continue running if the accelerator was slightly depressed.

I have run an electrical system diagnostic and found no apparent problems. A voltmeter test revealed normal voltage under load, and the vehicle appears not to have an alternator problem, though the battery recently was completely discharged after the vehicle sat without starting for about 8-9 days.

Are any of these symptoms familiar, and do they point to a specific problem?

Also, where is the fuel filter located on this vehicle? The manual that came with the vehicle is useless in identifying anything about fuel filter replacement.

2 Replies

RLOPP

MEMBER
2 POSTS

First fuel filter probably located inside gas tank mileage indicates it could be athe problem take alittle gas pour in to choke and try to start if it does then it the problem other thing disturb, map sensor, timing belt!
Sorry !

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Saturday, June 1st, 2019 AT 3:08 PM

RAMVANMAN

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2 POSTS

In my case the problem turned out to be a defective fuel pump. After running a barrage of tests I decided this was probably the case, so I bought a new Airtex fuel pump assembly (fuel pump, fuel sending unit and fuel filter) from O'Reilly Auto Parts for $230 including tax.

Upon removing the new pump from its box I discovered that it is actually a Carter pump, and is an exact match for the one installed on my van (Airtex P/N E7100M).

After draining and removing the fuel tank, then removing the original pump, I discovered that the pump is made in two parts, both plastic, joined by a metal coupling which allows the lower unit to slide up and down.

Whether by heat, age, wear or whatever, my fuel pump had distorted its shape slightly causing it to rub and hang instead of sliding smoothly up and down (which, I am guessing, is a function of fuel level, fuel pressure or both). The pump also exhibited some marks indicating that the metal was forcefully trying to slide and caused some minor "skin" damage to the lower pump unit.

I replaced the pump, reinstalled the tank, and have not had another problem with the vehicle. I have thoroughly tested it under highway and city streets road conditions without another failure.

This may not work for everybody with a similar problem, but in my case replacing the fuel pump resolved the problem.

For the record, while I do have some mechanical skills I am, by no means, a professional mechanic. This job was really quite easy, though it took about a half day, and I saved nearly $500 by doing the work myself.

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Saturday, June 1st, 2019 AT 3:08 PM