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Ram down, 98 b1500 v6
#754528 November 28th 2019 3:23 am
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Dw89xj Offline OP
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98 b 1500 3.9 v6 3 speed auto approx 130k miles

Started off as a random stalling issue. Had a tune up less than a year ago before Pennsylvania inspection.
I cleaned the terminals on the battery about a month ago when it first started acting up and sometimes didn't want to start. They were a little loose so I figured maybe that is what caused it. No bueno. It acted fine for a couple weeks. Now it's sitting and won't stay running, it will start then as soon as it drops in gear it dies. My wife says it has been stalling out on turns and randomly at red lights and stop signs too.
I'm in a wheelchair and can't get to the van or diagnose it. Any common issues I should have checked out? It was going to go to the garage in the next two weeks if it made it that long now we can't get it there. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated?

Edit, my wife also says after it sits a few minutes it makes a gurgle then will restart until she drops it in gear then dies again. Clogged pickup in the tank maybe? Someone put sugar in my atv tank a few months ago, they could've possibly did my van too but would it take 4 plus tanks of gas to find out?

Last edited by Dw89xj; November 28th 2019 3:28 am.

98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: Ram down, 98 b1500 v6
Dw89xj #754536 November 28th 2019 10:13 am
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My wife also says after it sits all night or weekend it will run fine just on her ride home it stalls and then doesn't want to start.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: Ram down, 98 b1500 v6
Dw89xj #754544 November 28th 2019 5:52 pm
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Van started fine and drove fine to our driveway since it sat since last night.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: Ram down, 98 b1500 v6
Dw89xj #754545 November 28th 2019 9:25 pm
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Don't get discouraged its a holiday …. people will answer your questions … please be patient.


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
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ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
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Re: Ram down, 98 b1500 v6
Dw89xj #754547 November 29th 2019 3:11 am
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With Dodges, weird electrical issues are usually a bad ground. Check every wire leading from the negative terminal to the engine block, to the firewall, and any other spot, remove them file wire brush them shiny and retighten. Dont just look and declare them fine, unbolt them and make them shiny and retighten. There is NO point whatsoever in doing anything else until this is done. if it is not the culprit, it would have been at some point.

Also, you said you cleaned the battery terminals. This is a red flag. while one can make green and white battery terminals post clamps appear nearly as good as new, they can still refuse to pass current, whenever they feel like it. That green and white crap has wicked its way up the stranding where you cant clean it and puts the Kaibosh on passing current. Bad battery terminals have been responsible for many issues on many makes and models, but dodges seem really susceptible to them. New battery cables is a wise investment. Most autppartts stores sell overpriced absolute cramp in this regard. Stamped Steel ring terminals with a hole drilled through them. I recommend this place for custom cables from top quality components made with professional crimping tools.

http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cables






After that, if the condition persists, I think the connector(s) at the engine computer is the most likely culprit. Next time it stalls or fails to start, leave ignition on, and go wiggle the wire bundles at the engine computer lightly and see if any relays click on and off in response to the wiggling.

If wiggling the wires has an effect, it is both good news and bad, good that you know the source, bad that it likely requires a new computer, or at least taking the computer apart removing the potting, and resoldering the pins at the circuit board, and also cleaning the connectors of old dirty crusty dielectric grease, and then cleaning the contacts with Caig Deoxit d5 or d100 .

Some Zip ties holding the wire bundles in such a way can allow one to keep going for many years, but the issue will rear its ugly head again at the worst possible time.

Even if wiggling the wire bundles has NO effect on the stalling no start, it is a good idea to make sure the wire bundles are not exerting their weight on the computer connectors, and of course a clean connection is better than an old dirty one. The Caig Deoxit is expensive, but has no equal and nothing even remotely close. Do not use it to flush the old crusty dielectric grease from the connectors, use the regular connector spray cleaners, but then use the Caig d5 once it is clean.

The Caig Deoxit is magic electrical juice, cleaning every sensor connector with regular spray then Caig Deoxit, then more dielectric grease had my van drive like I removed 500 lbs from it.

Re: Ram down, 98 b1500 v6
frscke1 #754548 November 29th 2019 7:27 am
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Originally Posted by frscke1
Don't get discouraged its a holiday …. people will answer your questions … please be patient.



Oh I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to sound disgruntled, I was giving an update how it's acting. We tried switching the shut down relay with the AC relay to see if that makes a difference but she won't be leaving for work until about ten tonight so it won't be getting driven until then.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: Ram down, 98 b1500 v6
wrcsixeight #754549 November 29th 2019 7:33 am
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Well it looks like my Saturday schedule has been filled I will try as many of these as I can and try to coach my wife for the stuff I can't do.
We switched the shut off and ac relays to see if this helps, we watched a YouTube video and another dodge vanner said this fixed his no start stalling issue.
I told my wife Chrysler went cheap on wiring that's why all the jeeps we've owned eventually have wiring problems.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: Ram down, 98 b1500 v6
Dw89xj #754555 November 29th 2019 9:31 pm
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Relay didn't do squat, lol. I knew it wouldn't be that simple. Going through and checking grounds and connections tomorrow and doing as suggested cleaning everything up. I'm hoping to get lucky and fix it for free instead of putting a bunch of money in it. Was going to sell it to buy another Ford wheelchair van in the spring.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: Ram down, 98 b1500 v6
Dw89xj #754618 December 03rd 2019 4:37 am
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Did cleaning the grounds/replacing the battery cables, wiggling the wire bundles at the computer have any effect?

Re: Ram down, 98 b1500 v6
Dw89xj #754668 December 05th 2019 7:58 pm
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Here's a small basket of other potential issues you could investigate:

It may be worth checking that your throttle kick down linkage is still intact. Having the valve it controls on the transmission in the incorrect position can bog the engine down till it bucks and stalls. The shift linkage and its Nylon bushings can also come apart and place the transmission in weird in-between states.

Has anyone installed a 2nd fuel filter anywhere along the fuel lines to the tank? A lot of times Mechanics will install one under the cargo doors. They become neglected and fill up with water...

Speaking of water, does your engine oil still look good, or is it Milky? Is the exhaust at all cloudy?

How is the engine temperature during these events? Are you running the AC or defogger?

The fuel tank cap is an often overlooked source of nagging intermittent ssues. I bring it up often, because few people ever check it. You could try opening it right when this issue occurs and listen for an air rushing sound. The fuel pump is fully capable of drawing a hard vacuum against the fuel tank if the relief valve in the cap fails. This would starve the engine of fuel. It's possible to drive with a cap partially unscrewed if necessary to further test this possibility.

There is also a vent hose from the fuel tank which typically hangs in the open near the passenger side rear leaf springs. Wasps and spiders often build nests in it...

Check that the fusible links haven't developed cracks or hard lumps of corrosion inside their insulation. They'll be up next to the brake booster, and have soft hypalon rubber insulation rather than vinyl.

There are lots of other potential culprits, but keep looking at those electrical connections as you're currently doing. Those tend to bear the most fruit.


-It's been such a LONG TIME... BlueShift>> 1981 Dodge Ram B250 Custom Sportsman Maxi Van


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It's what you learn after you know it all, that counts...

Are you living to work, or working to live?

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Learning from my own mistakes is good, learning from yours would be much better! [Linked Image]
Re: Ram down, 98 b1500 v6
wrcsixeight #754730 December 06th 2019 11:19 pm
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Originally Posted by wrcsixeight
Did cleaning the grounds/replacing the battery cables, wiggling the wire bundles at the computer have any effect?


It definitely smoothed it out some, but it's still not right, after about 20+/- miles it stalls and doesn't want to restart except short intervals then stalls as soon as it's dropped in gear. After it sits overnight or fir 8 it so hours it's fine for about another 15-25 miles. I also don't know if I'm getting all the grounds as I can't get to everything from my chair, my wife is real good at replacing parts I can't get to but she's no mechanic.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: Ram down, 98 b1500 v6
Ram4ever #754732 December 06th 2019 11:31 pm
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Originally Posted by Ram4ever
Here's a small basket of other potential issues you could investigate:

It may be worth checking that your throttle kick down linkage is still intact. Having the valve it controls on the transmission in the incorrect position can bog the engine down till it bucks and stalls. The shift linkage and its Nylon bushings can also come apart and place the transmission in weird in-between states.

Has anyone installed a 2nd fuel filter anywhere along the fuel lines to the tank? A lot of times Mechanics will install one under the cargo doors. They become neglected and fill up with water...

Speaking of water, does your engine oil still look good, or is it Milky? Is the exhaust at all cloudy?

How is the engine temperature during these events? Are you running the AC or defogger?

The fuel tank cap is an often overlooked source of nagging intermittent ssues. I bring it up often, because few people ever check it. You could try opening it right when this issue occurs and listen for an air rushing sound. The fuel pump is fully capable of drawing a hard vacuum against the fuel tank if the relief valve in the cap fails. This would starve the engine of fuel. It's possible to drive with a cap partially unscrewed if necessary to further test this possibility.

There is also a vent hose from the fuel tank which typically hangs in the open near the passenger side rear leaf springs. Wasps and spiders often build nests in it...

Check that the fusible links haven't developed cracks or hard lumps of corrosion inside their insulation. They'll be up next to the brake booster, and have soft hypalon rubber insulation rather than vinyl.

There are lots of other potential culprits, but keep looking at those electrical connections as you're currently doing. Those tend to bear the most fruit.


It's shifting fine and goes in gear fine, the gauges say all is good while running, the coolant isnt boiling over or showing any signs of overheating. The oil is pretty dark but no chocolate milk. The exhaust is a little rich smelling sometimes but normally after it is warm no signs of haze or extra smoke or anything.
The gas cap makes alot of sense, or something in the fuel system, my wife says after it stalls it will only crank until she hears it gurgle then it will restart for a few seconds. It will start and run fine, most of the time, for the first start of the day for 15-25 miles then it throws a fit and will not restart until it sits several hours. Negative for the extra fuel filter, just whatever is in the tank. It's a shorty so the gas tank is under the driver side midship area. For the most part it's been a real good van the last 5 years, except tracking down brake system parts and a water pump. Other than that just oil and basic tune up stuff until the last few weeks maybe months? My wife isn't great at telling me when something starts acting funny until it actually let's her down, I haven't been able to go on a ride in months to see for myself as I've been waiting to get my new wheelchair and the loaner I have is too wide for my lift gate.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: Ram down, 98 b1500 v6
Dw89xj #754778 December 08th 2019 8:34 pm
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That sure sounds like fuel system type symptoms. Be sure to have her release the fuel cap next time it happens, then while it's loose try to restart without a lot of pumping on the acellerator pedal - you don't want it to flood.

There's an inline filter on many vans aside from the filter sock on the tank pickup. Yours is much more recent vintage than mine, but the filters with three nipples are commonly used on these to reduce vapor lock. They can fill up with water. Mine is right at the front of the engine, where the fuel lines jump from the frame extension to the engine.

There is also a small sintered bronze fuel strainer in many carburetors, right where the fuel line enters the carb. Since yours does start up and run, that's not so likely a culprit, but be aware that it may be there.

Since it sounds like your van is driven a lot, I didn't bring it up, but fuel tanks can fill up with water, especially if the tanks aren't kept full. Short of pulling and draining a tank, dry-gas fuel additive or see through inline fuel filters are about the only simple way to identify and deal with that possibility.

There's always the possibility your fuel pump could be failing, or the engine could be flooding too, like if the choke linkage is getting stuck or gradually closing. We've also had a few spark coils fail, which tends to occur as heat builds up.


-It's been such a LONG TIME... BlueShift>> 1981 Dodge Ram B250 Custom Sportsman Maxi Van


[Linked Image]

It's what you learn after you know it all, that counts...

Are you living to work, or working to live?

[Linked Image]

Learning from my own mistakes is good, learning from yours would be much better! [Linked Image]
Re: Ram down, 98 b1500 v6
Ram4ever #754791 December 09th 2019 10:05 am
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Originally Posted by Ram4ever
That sure sounds like fuel system type symptoms. Be sure to have her release the fuel cap next time it happens, then while it's loose try to restart without a lot of pumping on the acellerator pedal - you don't want it to flood.

There's an inline filter on many vans aside from the filter sock on the tank pickup. Yours is much more recent vintage than mine, but the filters with three nipples are commonly used on these to reduce vapor lock. They can fill up with water. Mine is right at the front of the engine, where the fuel lines jump from the frame extension to the engine.

There is also a small sintered bronze fuel strainer in many carburetors, right where the fuel line enters the carb. Since yours does start up and run, that's not so likely a culprit, but be aware that it may be there.

Since it sounds like your van is driven a lot, I didn't bring it up, but fuel tanks can fill up with water, especially if the tanks aren't kept full. Short of pulling and draining a tank, dry-gas fuel additive or see through inline fuel filters are about the only simple way to identify and deal with that possibility.

There's always the possibility your fuel pump could be failing, or the engine could be flooding too, like if the choke linkage is getting stuck or gradually closing. We've also had a few spark coils fail, which tends to occur as heat builds up.



Mine has the throttle body style fuel injection. And it gets driven daily when it's acting right. She's been getting a ride to work and being stubborn about taking it for a test drive, I did crack the gas cap open about a quarter turn to see if it does it next time she tries it. I'm glad you pointed out the coil that had slipped my mind, that will be my next check if this loose gas cap doesn't produce favorable results. It's been a good van for us but I suppose after 21 years it is due for love even if the miles are kind of low for a 98.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
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